[I am late posting the discussion starters this week because I am not in a good location for access to the Internet. Apologies to Joyce Griffith and to our readers. Maurice Ashton]

1. “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You;” Does that sound like an insurmountable challenge? Yes, we strive to “be like Jesus, this our song…” But will we ever be totally, completely, 100% like Jesus in every way? If you feel you have reached the standing where you are exactly like Jesus, then what? Of course John, who loved Jesus more than almost anyone we know of, was like Jesus but in a diminished state. Is that a fair statement?  Share your good explanation of the meaning of being like Jesus as presented in John 17.
2. John 17: The high priestly prayer. Have you noticed that this week’s lesson focuses on John 17? Have you, like me, relished this chapter of the Bible as one of your very favorite passages in all of the New Testament? If so, why? If  “intercession” means intervening between two powers, how can Jesus intercede for  Himself?  Is this word easier–or harder–to understand if it can mean “praying”? Explain the importance of this verse (John 17:20, 21) to our church today. Do we ever have problems reaching the goal of unity in our church? In what ways is this verse a “high priestly” prayer? Should we follow the example of Jesus and pray for ourselves?
3. Jesus prays for His disciples. Why do you think the disciples faced such a terrible risk of losing their faith when Jesus returned to heaven? Did Judas lose his faith in Jesus or did he ever have it? Why do you think God allowed the prediction of Judas’ fall to be fulfilled? Did Judas have a chance  to change his mind? Were the seeds of jealousy present even as Jesus prayed for the unity of the disciples? Do you consider yourself to be a person who “is not of this world”?  What does that mean?
4. Jesus prays “For those who will believe in Me.” Re-read John 17:20-27 and ask yourself how, if at all, would the prayer for future believers be different from the prayer for the disciples as key players in the church for the final days? By “unity” for His people, is God begging of us to be identical in everything we think and do in the last days? Or is there a broader and more inclusive meaning for the word “unity”? If so, what would “unity” mean in the last days?
5. Unity among  Christians. Wait a minute. True or False. You’re not a true Christian unless you’re a Sabbath-keeping Adventist Christian. Of course you chose “false” because you know that many true Christians belong to other faiths that do not worship on the seventh day or anticipate with fervor the soon coming of Jesus. How should we relate to these Christians? When is your church’s next event or activity scheduled that will join your members with those of other churches in your community?
6. One Faith Shared in Love. Does the Bible make it clear that if we love God we will keep His commandments? What are some ways you can think of that would help us make this message clear for others? Or is another message more important or should come first? What would happen if all of us were so consumed by God’s love that people can see that love in everything we do or say? 

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