Ground to Glory - John 17:1-5

Ground to Glory (John 17:1–5)

Opening Reflection

• Read John 17:1–5 as a group.

• Share: What stood out to you from the sermon or this passage?

1. Jesus’ Glory and Humility

• Wangari Maathai’s journey from “ground to glory” came through perseverance, courage, and sacrifice—how does her story help us reflect on Jesus’ infinitely greater journey from heaven’s glory to earthly humility and back again?

• Jesus willingly laid aside His visible glory to rescue us. What comforts or privileges or rights are we tempted to cling to that keep us from humbly serving others?

• Jesus’ greatest display of glory was not in His miracles, but in His suffering and the cross. How does this truth reshape the way we think about weakness, pain, and loss in our own lives?

Reflection: Jesus’ humility reveals that true glory is found not in self-exaltation but in self-giving love.

2. Eternal Life as Knowing God

• Jesus defined eternal life as knowing the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He sent. How does this definition challenge common misunderstandings of eternal life as simply “living forever”?

• What does it practically look like for you this week to “know God” in the deeper, relational sense—not just knowing about Him, but knowing Him personally?

• Eternal life is compared to the intimate knowledge between a married couple—deep, personal, ongoing. What spiritual practices can help nurture this kind of intimacy with God in your life?

Reflection: Eternal life isn’t just about duration—it’s about relationship with God Himself.

3. Living for God’s Glory

• Jesus’ mission was to glorify the Father and give eternal life. In what ways can your daily work, decisions, or relationships reflect this same mission of bringing glory to God?

• The “hour” of Jesus’ suffering was the hinge of all human history. How does remembering the centrality of the cross reframe your perspective on the smaller “hours” of trial you face?

• Jesus prayed for His glory to be restored after His work was accomplished. How does His assurance of glory give you hope when you feel unseen, unappreciated, or worn down in your faith journey?

• If Jesus’ ultimate gift of love is not health, wealth, or honour but Himself—are you truly satisfied in Him, or are you still seeking your glory in lesser gifts?

Reflection: Glory is not something we achieve but something we receive in Christ.

Closing Prayer

Invite group members to pray about the passage:

• Thank Jesus for laying aside His glory for us.
• Give thanks that Jesus faced ‘the hour’ so that we wouldn’t have to.
• Ask God to deepen our knowledge of Him.
• Ask for the help of the Holy Spirit to surrender an area of our lives where we’ve sought our own glory rather than God’s glory.