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Bible study May 17th

“Every act of hope becomes a form of prayer made visible.”

Week beginning Sunday 17th of May
Lectionary Reading: John 17.1–11

Two Prayer, Presence and a Million Acts of Hope

Theme

Jesus prays not for escape from the world, but for faithful and loving presence within it.

This session explores:

prayer as grounded relationship,
hope made visible through action,
unity and belonging,
and how small acts of compassion become signs of God’s life among us.

Opening Prayer

3 mins

Loving God,
you are closer to us
than the air we breathe.
Teach us to pray with honesty,
to live with compassion,
and to recognise your presence
in one another.
Help us remain rooted in your love
while living fully in the world.
Amen.

Reading the Passage :

7 mins

John 17.1–11
Invite someone to read the passage slowly.
Allow one minute of silence afterwards.

Ask:
“What word, phrase, or image stays with you?”

Invite brief responses only.

Context and Introduction :

10 mins

Leader Input
This passage comes near the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

Jesus knows suffering and conflict are close:

betrayal,
violence,
abandonment.

Yet he does not pray for escape from the world.

He says:
“They are in the world.”

And he prays:

for protection,
unity,
faithfulness,
and relationship.

Christian writers like Óscar Romero often spoke about prayer being rooted in real life:

suffering,
fear,
loneliness,
injustice,
hope.

Prayer is not withdrawal from the world.

It is learning how to remain present within it.

Discussion and Wonderings :

30 mins

Wondering 1
Jesus says:
“They are in the world.”

What does it mean to live faithfully “in the world” today?
Where do you experience pressure, distraction, or fragmentation?

Wondering 2
The reflection suggested:
“Every act of hope becomes a form of prayer made visible.”

What do you think about that?
Where do you see small acts of hope making a difference in ordinary life?

Wondering 3
Jesus prays:
“That they may be one.”

What helps create genuine belonging and connection today?
What gets in the way?

Wondering 4
How might prayer help us become more attentive:

to God,
to ourselves,
and to other people?

Reflective Activity :

10 mins

“One Act of Hope”

Give each person a small piece of paper or card.

Invite them to write:

One act of hope they could offer this week.

Encourage practical and realistic actions.

Examples:

checking on someone lonely,
listening without rushing,
inviting someone for coffee,

If appropriate, place the cards around a candle or central table.
Allow a few moments of quiet.

Group Reflection :

10 mins

Invite gentle sharing:

What kind of church or community does this passage call us to become?

What helps us remain rooted in prayer while staying engaged with the world?

Closing Prayer

(5 mins)

Loving God,
you do not call us away
from the world
but deeper into it —
with courage, compassion,
and hope.
Teach us to recognise Christ
in friend and stranger,
in joy and sorrow,
in ordinary acts of kindness.
Keep us rooted in your love.
Make us people of presence
and peace.
And where the world
is fragmented,
help us become signs
of your unity.
Through Christ
who prays for us still.

Amen.