John 17:20-26 & Genesis 11:1-9 Scripture Study
By Pastor Chris Simmons – Trinity Lutheran Church, Paso Robles CA
A reinforcement/supplement study to our Sunday service meant for “Building up the body of Christ… the manifold Wisdom of God made known” (Ephesians 4+3)
For Sunday June 1, 2025
The word for this week is “Unity”. Unity is a topic preached in church all the time. Usually addressed in a good context… but can you believe there is a time where unity is actually bad? So bad, God Himself came down and broke people up from one another. We are called to be aware of what we are united to, and the influence it can have upon us. Jesus prays that we are united with Him, as He is to God. United in love, and the common purpose of loving one another as Christ loved us.
Prayers for a blessed study.
Pastor Chris Simmons.
Discuss: What groups or clubs are you a part of?
Genesis 11:1-9
1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.
3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”
5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”
8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
It’s important to keep this section of Scripture in context with all that has happened in the Book of Genesis thus far. To see that the whole world had one language and a common speech, we think of the Flood and remember that all people on Earth at the earliest time were direct descendants of Noah; therefore, the whole world had the same language. We recall God’s command given to Noah and his family in Genesis 9:1 “Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.” With that in mind, the issue of settling, unity, and pride becomes more apparent “they found a plain in Shinar and settled there”.
4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”
They united, not to make something good, but to directly disobey God, rebelling against Him.
Discuss: Why are they building a tower? When can “unity” be a bad thing? Why?
5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”
If taken out of context, it seems like God feels threatened. That if they can “accomplish anything”, maybe that means overthrowing Him… Yet we know in the context of all Scripture, with the mind and heart of Jesus, then this cannot be the case. If the human race remained united in self-interested pride, there would be no limit to the people’s rebellion against God. Apart from God, that pride eventually would tear His people apart, as we would be then stuck in the despair of original sin. During the flood, the whole world was wiped out because “the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence.” (Genesis 6:11). God promised not to do that again to His people, and these are people He has just saved and renewed. So much so that he would come down from on high and intervene to save His people from their own evil (as we know through Jesus… that won't be the last time He intervenes for the sake of saving Mankind from its own evil…)
Discuss: Have you ever “united in disobedience” before? Maybe as a child against your parents? Maybe it was your children against you? What is wrong about uniting in disobedience rather than uniting against injustice?
8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
Babel, from the Hebrew verb “balal” meaning “to confuse”. Ironically, by confusing their language as they were united against God, the commandment from Genesis 9:1 is also fulfilled. They begin to fill the Earth and multiply. Rather than uniting in their pride, God has a different unity in mind for His people. A plan to gather and bless all nations in the birth of the living Word, rather than by their words.
Discuss: How is the unity “in Christ” different from the unity at Babel?
John 17:20-26
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
This is from the end of John 17, in a section known as Jesus “High Priestly Prayer”.
Discuss: Who is the focus of Jesus' prayer in verses 20-26? Toward what end?
In Jesus' prayer, you see unity in the way God intended. A unity that doesn’t reside only in works or words, but a unity in being. 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. This is a unity in and with God, rather than a unity outside of Him in rebellion. In fact, when Christians ignore God’s Word (which is not a very Christian thing to do…) you see division within the Church, even a diminished ability to witness. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—. Here, it is a unity that continues to give to one another. That the gifts of God given to Jesus, Jesus thereby gives to those who follow Him.
Discuss: What does it mean to “glorify” someone? What is the glory that Jesus has given us? What is it about the unity that exists between God and Jesus that we should copy?
Jesus desires true unity with us. As mentioned earlier in the study… We consider this in context with the entirety of Scripture. Where Adam and Eve were once united with God in the Garden. They walked with Him in the cool of the day, lived with purpose as He gave them work and jobs to do alongside Him. Everything was created for and around them. Yet, in their rebellion, they broke that unity with God. As they fell into temptation from the words of the Serpent “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5). In “seeking to be like God” rather than to be with and united to God, they fell. Jesus came that by His body and blood, that unity would be healed. That true unity with God would be given to HIs people again. 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
This is a unity that is only possible in and through Jesus.
Discuss: Is there someone in your family or friend group that is “the glue”? The one that unites everyone together? Who are they and what are they like?
Jesus says He will bring us “complete unity” so that we will know the Love of God the Father through the Son. By the Holy Spirit, our hearts and minds are opened to understanding the Scriptures. That He gives us the faith to grasp the promises of God through Jesus Christ. This complete unity is truly Trinitarian (the Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in its understanding and application.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
Discuss: What does Jesus’ ultimate desire (v 24) reveal about his love for us?
The Love of God for His people is something truly eternal… that before time began through time that has no end, God has been in relationship with Himself, Father Son and Holy Spirit. That’s a love that knows no bounds and is never incomplete. That is a love, that is the Glory that Jesus seeks for you, for us, for His Church to be united to. Let us seek to influence one another to that Love.
Discuss: What is something that you have loved for a long time? Maybe a favorite food? Favorite color? Is it something you ever get sick of? How does that compare to the love that Jesus unites us to with God?
25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
Prayer
How is the unity “in Christ” different from the unity at Babel?
Where in life are you feeling scattered or confused? Why might that be?
Have you ever built “a tower” for yourself only to get “scattered” by God? What happened?
This week, whom have you glorified by the way you lived? How so?
How important to you is unity with other believers? With whom do you share this unity? How can you experience more unity?
Lord God, We unite ourselves to so many things in life, and they are often not good for us. We pray to be united to You, rather than against you. Please help us build “towers” that glorify you, rather than “towers” that glorify ourselves. Help us elevate your Gospel so that others see you more clearly. To see how you’ve given us your Son Jesus so that we can be united to you with eternal and complete Joy. We pray this all in your name Jesus. Amen.