What does it Mean to Know Truly Know God? John 17:3

 

John 17:3 states:  

"Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (NIV)

This verse is part of Jesus' prayer to the Father, often called the "High Priestly Prayer." In this context, Jesus is defining eternal life not just as an unending existence but as a profound, relational experience with God.

 Understanding the Verse

Eternal Life as Relationship  

   Eternal life is not merely living forever but is described as "knowing" God and Jesus Christ. The term "know" here implies an intimate, personal, and experiential relationship rather than mere intellectual knowledge. 

 The Only True God  

   Jesus emphasizes that eternal life is rooted in knowing the one true God, distinguishing Him from false gods or idols. This acknowledgment is crucial in understanding the exclusivity and authenticity of the Christian faith.

 Jesus Christ, Whom God Sent  

   The verse ties eternal life to knowing Jesus as the one sent by God. This underscores Jesus' unique role in salvation and reveals that knowing Him is inseparable from knowing the Father (John 14:6-7).

 What Does It Mean to "Know" God?

In the biblical sense, "knowing" God includes several dimensions.

 Personal Relationship  

   To know God is to have a deep, ongoing relationship with Him. This involves prayer, worship, and communion with God through the Holy Spirit.

 Obedience and Love  

   Knowing God is shown in how one lives—obeying His commandments and reflecting His love (1 John 2:3-6). It's a transformative process that changes a person from the inside out.

 Revelation Through Jesus  

   Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God (Hebrews 1:1-3). To know God, one must know Jesus because He reveals the character, will, and purposes of the Father.

 Experiential Knowledge  

   It involves experiencing God's presence, grace, and power in daily life. This is not limited to intellectual understanding but includes a heart-level awareness and trust in God's nature and promises.

 Ongoing Growth  

   Knowing God is not a one-time event but a continual journey. As believers grow in faith, they deepen their understanding and relationship with Him (Philippians 3:10).

 Implications for Believers

 Focus on Relationship - Eternal life is about being in close communion with God and Jesus, not merely adhering to rituals or doctrines.  

 Authenticity in Faith - Knowing God means living out one's faith in a way that reflects His love and truth.  

 Centrality of Jesus - A personal relationship with Jesus is essential to knowing God and experiencing eternal life.

Sabbath School Lesson 12: The Hour of Glory: The Cross and Resurrection

 

Themes in the Gospel of John

Sabbath School Lesson 12

The Hour of Glory: The Cross and Resurrection

You may use this for presenting and studying the current Sabbath School Lesson.

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> Download the notes for Lesson 12 video here.

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> Download  Themes in the Gospel of John (4th  qtr) Sabbath School Lessons Here

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> Download 1st Quarter 2025 Lessons: God's Love and Justice

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Knowing the Son Is Knowing the Father

 

In the Gospel of John, the apostle illustrates how Jesus, the Son, engages in actions that reveal the Father. Jesus clarifies the identity of the Father and demonstrates His connection to our world.

Jesus served as the Father’s representative on earth, embodying the Father’s will in human form. He expressed that in everything He did, His aim was to fulfill the Father’s desires rather than His own.

Jesus mentioned that He was sent by the Father to complete His mission—the salvation of humankind—and that the Father Himself testified to His work (John 5:36–38).

Jesus declared that the Father sent Him to be the sole way for humanity to reach the Father (John 6:40, 44). The Father desires for everyone to experience the eternal life that is found in Jesus, who assures that He will raise them up during the resurrection.

Several texts from the Gospel of John emphasize the close and intimate relationship between Jesus and the Father, characterized by unity, love, and mutual indwelling. Jesus speaks and acts not on His own authority but in complete alignment with the Father’s will and teaching (John 7:16; 14:10). 

He reveals what He has seen and received from the Father (John 8:38) and invites believers to experience the same unity and love He shares with the Father (John 14:23; 15:9-10). 

The Father’s love for Jesus is mirrored in His love for the disciples, and obedience is presented as a pathway to remain in that love (John 15:9-10). 

Jesus also highlights the Father’s affection for those who believe and points to His origin and mission as being from the Father (John 16:27-28). 

Finally, eternal life is defined as knowing the Father and Jesus, emphasizing their inseparable relationship and shared purpose (John 17:3).

Living out God's will as revealed through Jesus involves aligning our lives with His teachings and example. Here are key ways to do so.

Spend time in prayer, worship, and studying Scripture to grow in understanding and intimacy with God. As we draw closer to Him, His will becomes clearer to us.

Imitate Jesus' humility, love, and obedience to the Father. Prioritize serving others, showing compassion, and living a life of integrity.

Actively live out Jesus' commandments, especially to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This demonstrates trust in His plan and aligns our actions with His desires.

Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your actions and transform your character, producing qualities such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control.

Make it a habit to ask God for direction in decisions, big and small, and trust in His wisdom.

Share the love and truth of Jesus through your words and actions, pointing others to God’s will and His kingdom.

By continually aligning our hearts and actions with God's purpose, we reflect His love and fulfill His will in our daily lives.

More: Lesson 11 - The Father, the Son, and the Spirit.

Roles of the Father as Expressed in the Gospel of Jphn

 Here are the roles of the Father as explained by Jesus in chapters of John, with supporting verses and short summaries.

 John 3

 Source of Salvation (John 3:16)  

    "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."  

    The Father is the giver of eternal life through His love, manifested by sending His Son.

 Judge and Justifier (John 3:17-18)  

    "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."  

    The Father’s role is not to condemn but to provide the means for justification and salvation.

 John 6

 Sustainer and Provider (John 6:32-33)  

    "For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."  

    The Father is the one who gives true spiritual sustenance, providing Jesus as the "bread of life."

 Drawer of Believers (John 6:44)  

    "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him."  

    The Father actively draws people to faith in Christ.

 Grantor of Eternal Life (John 6:40)  

    "For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life."  

    The Father’s will is to grant eternal life to those who believe in the Son.

 John 14

 Revealer of Truth through the Son (John 14:67)  

    "If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."  

    The Father reveals Himself through the Son, making Himself known to believers.

 Dweller in Unity with the Son (John 14:10)  

    "The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works."  

    The Father works in perfect unity with the Son, accomplishing His divine purposes.

 Sender of the Helper (Holy Spirit) (John 14:16-17)  

    "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever."  

    The Father sends the Holy Spirit to empower and guide believers.

John 15

 Vinedresser (John 15:12)  

    "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser."  

    The Father prunes and nurtures believers, ensuring their spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

 Glorified through Fruitfulness (John 15:8)  

    "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."  

    The Father’s role includes being glorified through the obedience and fruitbearing of His followers.

 John 16

 Source of Jesus’ Mission (John 16:28)  

    "I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father."  

    The Father is the origin of Jesus’ mission and the destination of His return.

 Lover of Believers (John 16:27)  

    "For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God."  

    The Father has a direct, personal love for those who believe in Jesus.

 Answerer of Prayers in Jesus’ Name (John 16:23)  

    "Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you."  

    The Father answers prayers made in the name of Jesus.

These summaries reflect the multifaceted role of the Father in salvation, relationship, provision, and guidance as taught by Jesus.

More: Lesson 11 - The Father, the Son, and the Spirit.