WEEK 40.7 Discussion questions below.

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Episode Summary

In this Week 40 explore episode, Jamie leads the discussion fresh from a theology and culture residency in Fredericton, New Brunswick. She and Nick complete their study of Jesus's priestly prayer in John 17:13-26, examining Jesus's desire for believers to remain "in the world but not of it" rather than segregating into Christian fortresses. They tackle the challenging call to unity among believers, explore what it means that Jesus prayed specifically for future disciples (including modern listeners), and discuss how to balance maintaining Christian unity while confronting harmful versions of Christianity. The episode concludes with the stunning reality that Jesus's prayers for us have already been answered - we are already with him where he is.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene 

01:27 Listener Engagement and Feedback Request 

02:09 Recap of John 17: Jesus' Final Prayer 

03:09 Imagination Prayer and Its Impact 

04:43 Themes of Being in the World and Unity 

08:53 Living Out Jesus' Teachings in the World 

14:08 Persecution and Living Counter-Culturally 

25:22 Jesus' Prayer for Protection and Holiness 

28:55 Jesus Prays for Future Believers 

31:27 Themes of Unity and Love 

35:38 Maintaining Unity in the Church 

40:47 Confronting Anti-Christian Christianity 

48:57 Jesus' Relentless Love for the World 

54:07 Final Reflections and Takeaways

Key Points

• In the World: Jesus prays for disciples to remain in the world as agents of change rather than retreating into Christian fortresses and segregated communities

• We Are the "How": God's kingdom comes and will is done through believers actively living as salt and light, not just passively praying from the sidelines

• Jesus Prays for You: Verse 20 marks the moment Jesus turns from praying for the literal disciples to praying specifically for future believers - including every listener

• Unity is Non-Negotiable: Disunity among believers is disobedience to Jesus’ command. Jesus' primary desire is that believers be "one" as he and the Father are one

• Already Accomplished: Jesus's prayers have already been answered. We are already with him where he is, already in eternal life, already filled with his love

• Relentless Divine Love: God hasn't quit on the hostile world. He pursues it relentlessly through his people who carry his love to others

Discussion Questions

• Christian Segregation: The hosts critique creating "Christian fortresses" like harvest parties instead of engaging Halloween. How do you balance protecting faith (especially children's) with Jesus's call to be in the world?

• Active vs. Passive Faith: Jamie argues we should (in part) be "answers to our own prayers" rather than just praying from the sidelines. What might this look like practically in your community?

• Unity and Theological Disagreement: Jesus prays for unity among all believers, yet Christians are deeply divided. How do you maintain unity with believers you disagree with theologically?

• When to Speak Out: Nick discusses confronting "anti-Christian Christianity" while maintaining unity. How do you discern when to speak truth to power versus when to maintain peace?

• Jesus Prays For You: How does it change your spiritual life to know that Jesus's prayer in John 17:20-26 was specifically for you and has already been answered?

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