Come and See

This message explores the first calling of the disciples, who leave John the Baptist to follow Jesus. They may not know what they are getting into but they still follow.
(John 1:35-51)

Sermon Outline

“They said, ‘Rabbi’ (which means ‘Teacher’), ‘where are you staying?’ ‘Come,” he replied, ‘and you will see.’” (John 1:38b-39a)

Seeing

  • John the Baptist sees Jesus
  • Andrew and another disciple see Jesus, and Jesus sees them
  • Andrew leads Simon Peter to see Jesus, and Jesus sees Peter
  • Jesus sees Philip, and Philip follows Jesus
  • Philip leads Nathanael to see Jesus, and Jesus sees Nathanael
  • The invitation: truly seeing Jesus
  • The invitation: being truly seen by Jesus

Naming

  • John the Baptist names Jesus: ‘Lamb of God’ (1:36)
  • Andrew names Jesus: ‘Rabbi’ (1:38) and ‘Messiah’ (1:41)
  • Jesus names Simon: ‘Cephas/Peter’ (1:42)
  • Philip names Jesus: ‘One Moses wrote about in the Law’ (1:45)
  • Jesus names Nathanael: ‘an Israelite in whom there is no deceit’ (1:47)
  • Nathanael names Jesus: ‘Rabbi’, ‘Son of God’, and ‘king of Israel’ (1:49)
  • Jesus names himself: Jacob’s ladder (1:51)
  • The invitation: being truly named by Jesus
  • The invitation: truly naming Jesus

Come and See

  • • Responding to the reality of being seen by God in Jesus
  • • Responding to the invitation to truly see God in Jesus
  • • Responding to the reality of being named by God in Jesus
  • • Responding to the invitation to truly name Jesus

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. When has someone introduced you to a person or a new job possibility or a new place to live or a new hobby that made a positive impact upon your life? What happened?
  2. This week we continue our new sermon series “Look for the Signs,” which is the second part of an extended journey through the Gospel of John. This week we focus on John 1:35-51. Whether on your own or with others, begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you, and then read that portion aloud.
  3. We have given a lot of attention to John the Baptist over previous weeks but what do you notice about John in verses 35-37? If you were John, what would make you comfortable with your own disciples following someone else?
  4. What stands out to you about Jesus’ way of interacting with these curious disciples in verses 37-39?
  5. One of those curious disciples, Andrew, finds his brother Simon and introduces him to Jesus. What happens with Andrew, Simon, and Jesus in verses 40-42?
  6. Why do you think Andrew was so energized to share with Simon about Jesus?
  7. When have you shared your faith in Christ with someone else you cared about?
  8. With verses 43-51 we have an echo of what we have seen already, this time with Philip and Nathanael. What catches your attention about the story of witness in these verses?
  9. Jesus references the story of Jacob, who was later renamed as Israel, encountering God in Genesis 28. Nathanael is a sort of new Jacob/Israel and Jesus describes Himself as the ladder on which angels ascend and descend. What might Jesus be saying about Himself?
  10. What is one thing you sense God is bringing to your attention through this week’s study? If you are with a small group, discuss that with one another and then pray about what you shared. If you are on your own, write it down, pray about it, and consider sharing your thoughts with someone this week.

DIG DEEPER

Exploring Faith

  • What does Jesus’ invitation to “come and see” mean for you right now in your life? What are you seeking? What might it mean to more intentionally enter a journey of searching out how Jesus is, with a Bible reading plan (such as bible.com/reading-plans/876-before-the-cross-the-life-of-jesus) or with others through this sermon series?

Growing in Faith

  • Take some time to explore the titles for Jesus given in today’s scripture passage. Perhaps you could search them out in other parts of the Bible using biblegateway.com. What is one title that particularly speaks to you right now?

Centered in Faith

  • Who has God placed in your life that you should reach out to about coming to encounterJesus? Is there someone you sense it is the right time to invite into a conversation, small group, or summer Bible study? Pray about this. Then act on it.

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