12/11/2025
📖 520Aftermath Ministry — Bible Study, Tuesday, 4;30p PST
John 17 & John 18
“The Prayer, The Arrest, The Cup”
Continuing our walk with Jesus through His prayer in John 17 and into the powerful, emotional events of John 18. These chapters show Jesus’ heart, His obedience, and the beginning of His path to the cross.
We’ve divided the study into shorter sections to help us reflect deeply and grow together.
📌 JOHN 17 — The High Priestly Prayer
1️⃣ John 17:1–5 — Jesus Prays for Glory
Summary: Jesus asks the Father to glorify Him so He can glorify the Father. Eternal life is defined as knowing God.
Questions:
• Why does Jesus start by praying for Himself?
• What does “eternal life is knowing God” mean to you?
• How does Jesus model surrender in this moment?
2️⃣ John 17:6–10 — Jesus Affirms His Disciples
Summary: Jesus presents His disciples to the Father, acknowledging their faith and loyalty.
Questions:
• What stands out about how Jesus describes them?
• How does this reflect how He sees us?
• What does it mean to belong to God?
3️⃣ John 17:11–16 — Protection in a Hostile World
Summary: Jesus asks the Father to protect His disciples from the evil one. They are in the world but not of it.
Questions:
• How can we live “in the world but not of it”?
• Why does Jesus emphasize spiritual protection?
• What spiritual threats do we face today?
4️⃣ John 17:17–19 — Sanctified by Truth
Summary: Jesus prays that His followers are set apart and made holy through God’s truth.
Questions:
• What does it mean to be sanctified?
• How does truth shape your walk with God?
• How does God send us into the world?
5️⃣ John 17:20–23 — Jesus Prays for Future Believers
Summary: Jesus prays for all who will believe in Him—unity, love, and witness to the world.
Questions:
• How does it feel knowing Jesus prayed for YOU here?
• Why is unity essential for believers?
• What can we do to strengthen unity in the Body of Christ?
6️⃣ John 17:24–26 — Jesus’ Desire for His People
Summary: Jesus desires that His followers be with Him and experience the fullness of the Father’s love.
Questions:
• What does this reveal about Jesus’ heart toward us?
• How do we experience the Father’s love more deeply?
• What part of this final prayer stands out to you?
📌 JOHN 18 — The Arrest, the Betrayal, and the Beginning of the Trial
1️⃣ John 18:1–9 — Jesus Arrested in the Garden
Summary: Jesus goes willingly to His arrest. His authority is so strong that when He declares “I AM,” the soldiers fall backward.
Questions:
• What does Jesus’ willingness tell you about His mission?
• Why is His authority important here?
• How does this scene show that Jesus was always in control?
2️⃣ John 18:10–14 — Peter’s Reaction & Jesus Taken to Annas
Summary: Peter acts out of fear and confusion, striking the servant, but Jesus stops him and accepts the cup the Father has given Him.
Questions:
• Why do you think Peter reacted this way?
• What does Jesus mean by “the cup the Father has given Me”?
• How do we respond when we feel threatened or afraid?
3️⃣ John 18:15–18 — Peter’s First Denial
Summary: As Jesus is taken inside, Peter stays outside and denies Him for the first time.
Questions:
• What pressure might Peter have been feeling in that moment?
• How can fear lead to spiritual compromise?
• When have you felt tempted to stay silent about your faith?
4️⃣ John 18:19–24 — Jesus Questioned by Annas
Summary: Jesus responds boldly and truthfully. He is struck for speaking openly, but He does not back down.
Questions:
• What does this teach us about speaking truth?
• Why did Jesus choose transparency instead of secrecy?
• How can we stand firm in our faith under pressure?
5️⃣ John 18:25–27 — Peter’s Second & Third Denials
Summary: Peter denies Jesus two more times, fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy.
Questions:
• What do Peter’s denials reveal about human weakness?
• Why is it important that Scripture shows Peter’s failure?
• How does Jesus later restore Peter, and what does that teach us?
6️⃣ John 18:28–32 — Jesus Taken to Pilate
Summary: The religious leaders refuse to enter the Roman headquarters, worried about ritual impurity, while plotting the death of Jesus.
Questions:
• How does this reveal hypocrisy?
• Why were they so determined to avoid responsibility?
• What does this teach us about the danger of religion without relationship?
7️⃣ John 18:33–38 — “What Is Truth?”
Summary: Jesus tells Pilate that His kingdom is not of this world. Pilate famously asks, “What is truth?”
Questions:
• What does Jesus mean by “My kingdom is not of this world”?
• Why do you think Pilate asked that question?
• How do we define truth today?
8️⃣ John 18:39–40 — Barabbas Chosen Instead of Jesus
Summary: The crowd chooses a criminal over the sinless Son of God—showing how deeply the world rejects truth.
Questions:
• Why do people still choose “Barabbas” over Jesus today?
• What does this moment reveal about human nature?
• How does this point toward the purpose of the cross?
🙏 Join Tam Lupie Blanton McDonough and Steve E McDonough with your Bible, your notebook, and an open heart. We’re growing together, one chapter at a time.
