WEEK 3 | Jan 18-24
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- Greg Smith
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18
KEPT IN HIS NAME
“And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” John 17:11 (ESV)
In the ancient world, a shepherd would sleep at the entrance of the sheepfold, literally becoming the gate between his sheep and danger. He protected them with his life. That image helps us understand Jesus’ prayer: “Holy Father, keep them in Your name.”
Jesus knew that his time on earth was coming to an end. Soon, His disciples would face persecution and confusion. So He prayed for their protection, not from hardship, but from falling away. The phrase “keep them” means to guard, preserve, and hold fast. The security of their souls depended not on their strength, but on the Father’s faithfulness.
Notice also the purpose: “that they may be one, even as we are one.” Protection and unity go together. When believers rest securely in God’s keeping, we are freed from fear and competition. Unity flows from trust.
Jesus prayed to the “Holy Father,” combining tenderness and majesty. The One who is infinitely pure also loves intimately. We are safe because holiness and love surround us.
REFLECTION
●How does it comfort you to know that God Himself keeps watch over your soul?
●In what ways does your trust in God’s protection help you promote unity with others at SHBC?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS
●Thank the Father for guarding your faith through every season of life.
●Pray for unity, love, and spiritual protection among our SHBC family.
KEPT IN HIS NAME
“And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” John 17:11 (ESV)
In the ancient world, a shepherd would sleep at the entrance of the sheepfold, literally becoming the gate between his sheep and danger. He protected them with his life. That image helps us understand Jesus’ prayer: “Holy Father, keep them in Your name.”
Jesus knew that his time on earth was coming to an end. Soon, His disciples would face persecution and confusion. So He prayed for their protection, not from hardship, but from falling away. The phrase “keep them” means to guard, preserve, and hold fast. The security of their souls depended not on their strength, but on the Father’s faithfulness.
Notice also the purpose: “that they may be one, even as we are one.” Protection and unity go together. When believers rest securely in God’s keeping, we are freed from fear and competition. Unity flows from trust.
Jesus prayed to the “Holy Father,” combining tenderness and majesty. The One who is infinitely pure also loves intimately. We are safe because holiness and love surround us.
REFLECTION
●How does it comfort you to know that God Himself keeps watch over your soul?
●In what ways does your trust in God’s protection help you promote unity with others at SHBC?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS
●Thank the Father for guarding your faith through every season of life.
●Pray for unity, love, and spiritual protection among our SHBC family.
MONDAY, JANUARY 19
IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF IT
“While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.” John 17:11–12 (ESV)
Weeds don’t need permission to grow; they spring up naturally. In the same way, the world’s corruption surrounds us constantly. Jesus knew that His disciples would live in a hostile environment, so He prayed for their protection and preservation.
While on earth, He “kept them” in the Father’s name: guarding, teaching, and guiding them. None were lost except Judas, whose betrayal fulfilled prophecy. The point isn’t that Jesus failed, but that God’s plan was unfolding perfectly.
To be “in the world but not of it” means that believers live surrounded by sin without being shaped by it. We are called to influence culture, not imitate it. That requires both courage and conviction. Jesus doesn’t remove us from the mission field; He fortifies us within it.
The same prayer covers us today. Christ continues to intercede for His followers, keeping us from spiritual collapse as we live among those who don’t yet know Him.
REFLECTION
●What worldly influences most threaten your walk with Christ?
●How can you remain faithful to Jesus while engaging people who don’t share your beliefs?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS
●Ask God to guard your heart and mind from subtle worldly influences.
●Pray for courage to stand for truth while showing compassion to those around you.
IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF IT
“While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.” John 17:11–12 (ESV)
Weeds don’t need permission to grow; they spring up naturally. In the same way, the world’s corruption surrounds us constantly. Jesus knew that His disciples would live in a hostile environment, so He prayed for their protection and preservation.
While on earth, He “kept them” in the Father’s name: guarding, teaching, and guiding them. None were lost except Judas, whose betrayal fulfilled prophecy. The point isn’t that Jesus failed, but that God’s plan was unfolding perfectly.
To be “in the world but not of it” means that believers live surrounded by sin without being shaped by it. We are called to influence culture, not imitate it. That requires both courage and conviction. Jesus doesn’t remove us from the mission field; He fortifies us within it.
The same prayer covers us today. Christ continues to intercede for His followers, keeping us from spiritual collapse as we live among those who don’t yet know Him.
REFLECTION
●What worldly influences most threaten your walk with Christ?
●How can you remain faithful to Jesus while engaging people who don’t share your beliefs?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS
●Ask God to guard your heart and mind from subtle worldly influences.
●Pray for courage to stand for truth while showing compassion to those around you.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20
JOY IN THE MIDST OF TROUBLE
“But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.” John 17:13 (ESV)
During the Great Depression, one man said, “Joy is like a deep well; it doesn’t depend on the weather, only on how deep you dig.” Jesus’ prayer echoes that idea. As He prepared for the cross, He prayed that His disciples would experience His joy; a joy untouched by circumstances.
Biblical joy isn’t the same as happiness. Happiness depends on what happens; joy depends on Who holds you. Jesus’ joy came from perfect fellowship with the Father and unwavering obedience to His will. That same joy is available to us through the Holy Spirit.
Notice the phrase, “that they may have My joy.” He doesn’t pray for a general feeling of optimism but for a divine joy rooted in God’s presence. When Christ’s words fill our hearts, His joy becomes our strength.
You can have deep joy in seasons of grief, loss, or uncertainty because Jesus’ victory secures your future. The joy He gives isn’t a denial of pain; it’s the assurance that pain won’t win.
REFLECTION
●How does Jesus’ definition of joy differ from what the world offers?
●What practical steps could help you experience His joy more fully this week?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS
●Thank Jesus for giving you joy that remains even in hardship.
●Ask the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with Christ’s peace and gladness today.
JOY IN THE MIDST OF TROUBLE
“But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.” John 17:13 (ESV)
During the Great Depression, one man said, “Joy is like a deep well; it doesn’t depend on the weather, only on how deep you dig.” Jesus’ prayer echoes that idea. As He prepared for the cross, He prayed that His disciples would experience His joy; a joy untouched by circumstances.
Biblical joy isn’t the same as happiness. Happiness depends on what happens; joy depends on Who holds you. Jesus’ joy came from perfect fellowship with the Father and unwavering obedience to His will. That same joy is available to us through the Holy Spirit.
Notice the phrase, “that they may have My joy.” He doesn’t pray for a general feeling of optimism but for a divine joy rooted in God’s presence. When Christ’s words fill our hearts, His joy becomes our strength.
You can have deep joy in seasons of grief, loss, or uncertainty because Jesus’ victory secures your future. The joy He gives isn’t a denial of pain; it’s the assurance that pain won’t win.
REFLECTION
●How does Jesus’ definition of joy differ from what the world offers?
●What practical steps could help you experience His joy more fully this week?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS
●Thank Jesus for giving you joy that remains even in hardship.
●Ask the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with Christ’s peace and gladness today.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21
SET APART BY TRUTH
“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world… Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:14, 17 (ESV)
Gold is refined by fire, not comfort. Likewise, God purifies His people through truth and testing.
Jesus prayed that His followers would be sanctified; set apart for God’s purpose. To be sanctified doesn’t mean being withdrawn from the world, but rather being distinct within it. The tool God uses for that process is His Word. “Your Word is truth.” Scripture doesn’t just inform, it transforms. It shapes our values, renews our minds, and strengthens our witness.
The world will never fully understand or applaud believers who live by biblical conviction. But holiness is the mark of true discipleship. When our lives reflect God’s truth, the world sees something real, something different, something divine.
Sanctification isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress; becoming more like Jesus every day. The more we immerse ourselves in Scripture, the more we look like Jesus.
REFLECTION
●How has God’s Word been shaping your character lately?
●What area of your life needs to be surrendered to His sanctifying truth?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS
●Thank God for the power of His Word to transform your heart.
●Ask Him to make you more like Jesus as you obey His truth.
SET APART BY TRUTH
“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world… Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:14, 17 (ESV)
Gold is refined by fire, not comfort. Likewise, God purifies His people through truth and testing.
Jesus prayed that His followers would be sanctified; set apart for God’s purpose. To be sanctified doesn’t mean being withdrawn from the world, but rather being distinct within it. The tool God uses for that process is His Word. “Your Word is truth.” Scripture doesn’t just inform, it transforms. It shapes our values, renews our minds, and strengthens our witness.
The world will never fully understand or applaud believers who live by biblical conviction. But holiness is the mark of true discipleship. When our lives reflect God’s truth, the world sees something real, something different, something divine.
Sanctification isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress; becoming more like Jesus every day. The more we immerse ourselves in Scripture, the more we look like Jesus.
REFLECTION
●How has God’s Word been shaping your character lately?
●What area of your life needs to be surrendered to His sanctifying truth?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS
●Thank God for the power of His Word to transform your heart.
●Ask Him to make you more like Jesus as you obey His truth.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22
NOT TAKEN OUT BUT SENT IN
“I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.” John 17:15 (ESV)
A young missionary once said, “God didn’t call me to a safe place, He called me to a sending place.” That statement captures Jesus’ prayer perfectly. Rather than asking for His followers to escape the world’s hostility, Jesus prayed for their preservation within it. The goal of discipleship isn’t isolation; it’s infiltration; living holy lives that point others to the truth.
The “evil one” represents Satan, whose strategy is to deceive, divide, and destroy. Jesus knew His disciples would face temptation and persecution, so He asked the Father to protect their faith. We, too, are kept by that same divine power.
Being “kept from the evil one” doesn’t mean life will be easy; it means our faith will endure. The safest place to be isn’t outside the battle but inside God’s will.
REFLECTION
●How do you respond when life feels spiritually dangerous or difficult?
●What does it mean to live faithfully in a world that opposes your beliefs?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS
●Ask God for spiritual protection from temptation and deception.
●Pray for strength to live boldly and faithfully in a world that needs Christ.
NOT TAKEN OUT BUT SENT IN
“I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.” John 17:15 (ESV)
A young missionary once said, “God didn’t call me to a safe place, He called me to a sending place.” That statement captures Jesus’ prayer perfectly. Rather than asking for His followers to escape the world’s hostility, Jesus prayed for their preservation within it. The goal of discipleship isn’t isolation; it’s infiltration; living holy lives that point others to the truth.
The “evil one” represents Satan, whose strategy is to deceive, divide, and destroy. Jesus knew His disciples would face temptation and persecution, so He asked the Father to protect their faith. We, too, are kept by that same divine power.
Being “kept from the evil one” doesn’t mean life will be easy; it means our faith will endure. The safest place to be isn’t outside the battle but inside God’s will.
REFLECTION
●How do you respond when life feels spiritually dangerous or difficult?
●What does it mean to live faithfully in a world that opposes your beliefs?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS
●Ask God for spiritual protection from temptation and deception.
●Pray for strength to live boldly and faithfully in a world that needs Christ.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23
SENT WITH PURPOSE
“As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” John 17:18 (ESV)
When the Apollo 11 astronauts prepared for their moon mission, one said, “The mission gives the meaning.” Jesus’ words here carry the same truth.
Just as the Father sent Him into the world, Jesus sends His followers into the world. We are ambassadors of heaven living in foreign territory. The same God who sent His Son now sends His sons and daughters to carry His message of redemption.
Mission is not optional; it’s the natural result of knowing Jesus. At Shirley Hills, we believe “We are Sent!” To be “sent” means we live intentionally, representing Christ in our homes, workplaces, and communities. We’re not here to blend in but to stand out in grace and truth.
Every Christian is a missionary. You may never cross an ocean, but you’re called to cross the street, the office hallway, or the school courtyard to share His love.
REFLECTION
●How can you live this week as someone “sent” by Jesus?
●Who in your life needs to hear about His love and truth?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS
●Thank God for inviting you into His mission.
●Pray for boldness to represent Jesus wherever He sends you today.
SENT WITH PURPOSE
“As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” John 17:18 (ESV)
When the Apollo 11 astronauts prepared for their moon mission, one said, “The mission gives the meaning.” Jesus’ words here carry the same truth.
Just as the Father sent Him into the world, Jesus sends His followers into the world. We are ambassadors of heaven living in foreign territory. The same God who sent His Son now sends His sons and daughters to carry His message of redemption.
Mission is not optional; it’s the natural result of knowing Jesus. At Shirley Hills, we believe “We are Sent!” To be “sent” means we live intentionally, representing Christ in our homes, workplaces, and communities. We’re not here to blend in but to stand out in grace and truth.
Every Christian is a missionary. You may never cross an ocean, but you’re called to cross the street, the office hallway, or the school courtyard to share His love.
REFLECTION
●How can you live this week as someone “sent” by Jesus?
●Who in your life needs to hear about His love and truth?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS
●Thank God for inviting you into His mission.
●Pray for boldness to represent Jesus wherever He sends you today.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24
MADE HOLY FOR A HOLY TASK
“And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” John 17:19 (ESV)
Before surgery, doctors “scrub in” to prepare for a sacred task. They cleanse themselves to protect life. Jesus used similar language: “For their sake I consecrate myself.”
To consecrate means to set apart for God’s special purpose. Jesus dedicated Himself to the Father’s will, even to death on a cross. His obedience wasn’t for His benefit; it was for ours. Through His consecration, we are sanctified in truth.
This verse illustrates the connection between Christ’s sacrifice and our own holiness. Because He gave Himself fully, we can live wholly for God. Holiness isn’t withdrawal; it’s devotion. When we surrender our lives to His truth, we become instruments of His grace.
REFLECTION
●How does Jesus’ consecration motivate your own devotion to God?
●What specific area of your life might God be calling you to set apart for His purposes?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS
●Thank Jesus for setting Himself apart for your salvation.
●Ask God to make our heart, at The Hills, wholly devoted to His truth and mission.
MADE HOLY FOR A HOLY TASK
“And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” John 17:19 (ESV)
Before surgery, doctors “scrub in” to prepare for a sacred task. They cleanse themselves to protect life. Jesus used similar language: “For their sake I consecrate myself.”
To consecrate means to set apart for God’s special purpose. Jesus dedicated Himself to the Father’s will, even to death on a cross. His obedience wasn’t for His benefit; it was for ours. Through His consecration, we are sanctified in truth.
This verse illustrates the connection between Christ’s sacrifice and our own holiness. Because He gave Himself fully, we can live wholly for God. Holiness isn’t withdrawal; it’s devotion. When we surrender our lives to His truth, we become instruments of His grace.
REFLECTION
●How does Jesus’ consecration motivate your own devotion to God?
●What specific area of your life might God be calling you to set apart for His purposes?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS
●Thank Jesus for setting Himself apart for your salvation.
●Ask God to make our heart, at The Hills, wholly devoted to His truth and mission.