Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 1
Jesus prays in John 17 that believers would be “one” in a way that mirrors the oneness of the Father and the Son; what does that comparison reveal about what God is like and what kind of unity God is actually aiming for in the church?
Another way to ask: In John 17, Jesus prays that believers would be “one” like the Father and Son are one. What does that show us about what God is like and what kind of unity God wants in the church?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the speaker’s teaching, the Father and Son share a real, active oneness, and Jesus asks that the church reflect that same kind of united life—not just agreement, but shared purpose and shared obedience. This comparison shows God’s unity is close, relational, and purposeful, and God aims for a unity that is “complete” and visible.
- Jesus prays “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I in you.”
- The speaker says Jesus’ prayer is that “the unity of his followers would be equal to the oneness of the Father and the Son.”
- He stresses this is more than peacekeeping: “not that we would just get along and avoid church splits…[but] become perfectly one.”
- He explains “perfect or complete…the idea of to fill up,” suggesting a fullness of shared life.
- At the end he summarizes oneness as shared action: “oneness was him doing what the Father did…our oneness is…when we pursue and do what Christ asks us to do.”