John 17
Scripture: "Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent." John 17:3
Simplified Verse: "Now this is eternal life: that they know You." or "Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ."
Main Truth: Jesus prays for His people.
	Over the last several weeks we have learned many important things that Jesus had spoke to His disciples on His last night on earth. Jesus had given His disciples an example of how to treat one another. People who love Jesus care for one another. Then Jesus gave His disciples a few promises. Jesus promised He would return for them and for you and me and that He would never ever leave them and us alone because He would send the Holy Spirit to live inside of His believers.  Jesus then told His disciples to stay close to Him because when we stay close to Jesus it helps us to be like Him. Jesus went on to tell His disciples that when the Holy Spirit comes He would help them undertstand the truth about Jesus. So Jesus told His disciples these things to help them understand and to comfort them.
	Jesus is now going to pray to God the Father. Prayer is when we talk with God. Jesus knew His time had come and in a few short hours He was going to die on the cross for us. Jesus looked up to heaven and said,"Father, it is time for me to go to the cross. Please help me show people how wonderful you are." Jesus loves His Father God and Jesus loves His people.  John 17:3  says "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." Jesus wants people to know and to love God the Father.
	Jesus goes on to pray for His faithful and loving disciples. Jesus prays,"Father, they know You and they have kept Your word. You gave them to me while I was on earth, but now I am leaving. Please protect them." Jesus had kept His disciples safe when He was on earth, but now He was going to be leaving. He asked God the Father to keep His disciples safe when He was gone.
	Jesus wanted His disciples to tell everyone about Him. Jesus knew it would be hard though. The world didn't like Jesus and people didn't always want to hear about Jesus. But Jesus prayed and asked God to help His disciples to stand strong and to be brave and courageuous.
	Then Jesus prayed something exciting! Jesus began to pray for all the people who would believe in Him. Jesus prayed for me! Jesus prayed for [Helpers Name]! Jesus prayed for all of you, too! Jesus asked God the Father to take care of ALL of His people who love and believe in Him. Jesus prayed that all of His believers would come together and love one another. Jesus prays for all His people.
	Jesus then asked His Father for one more thing. Jesus prayed,"Father, I want those who You have given to Me to be with Me where I am." This is so special! What Jesus is saying is that He wants us to be in heaven with Him and to see how wonderful God and His love is. Jesus loves us so much, He wants us to live with Him forever and ever in eternity.
		Jesus prays for His people. How special is that! Jesus loves us so much that He prayed to God the Father to protect us, to help us be brave, give us joy, help us stay strong in teaching people about Jesus, help us to love one another, and finally Jesus asked God that Father that we may be able to live with Him in heaven. Just like Jesus prayed to God, we can do that too! Praying is talking to God and we can go to Him for anything just like Jesus did. And because Jesus cares for us,  He prays for His people.

Q/A
What was Jesus about to do? Die on the cross
What is prayer? Talking with God
What is eternal life? Living with Jesus forever
Who did Jesus pray for? Disciples/His believers
Why did Jesus pray for His people? He loves us
Why is it important that we pray? Thats how we communicate with God/our relationship with Him/ He knows everything about us and we can go to Him for anything
Infant Story
Jesus prayed to God the Father.
Prayer is talking with God.
Jesus prayed for His faithful disciples. 
Jesus asked God the Father to protect and help His diciples when He leaves.
Jesus wanted His disciples to tell other people about Jesus.
Jesus knew it would be hard because the world does not like Jesus, but knew God could help them.
Jesus prayed for you and me too! 
Jesus asked God the Father to take care of all the boys and girls who love and believe in Him.
Jesus asked His Father that we may be able to live with Him in heaven. 
This is so special! Jesus wants us to live with him in heaven forever and ever and ever. This is called eternity.
Because Jesus loves us so much, Jesus prays for His people.