John 1:43-51 Come and See

Materials

Students may benefit from the John 1:43-51 Come and See Lesson Handout

Learning Objectives

• Students will recognize the powerful impact a simple invitation can have.

Text

The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter[a] you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Introduction

• Why is it important for us to invite others to church?
  • Answers will vary but you should be prepared to address the following.
  • So they can be better Christians.
  • So we can have more people at church.
  • Because Jesus told us to.
  • So they can learn about Jesus.
  • etc.

Main Idea

• We know "the most talented, most interesting, and most extraordinary person in the universe." Unfortunately, sometimes we are so focussed on proving this that we are afraid to simply let Christ speak for Himself. Sometimes all it takes is a simple invitation to church.

Transition

• What did the first disciples do to bring people in?

Main Body

• Who did recruit in John 1:43?
  • Philip
• What does Philip tell Nathaniel?
  • “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
• What is Nathaniel's first reaction?
  • Can anything good come out of Nazareth?

Apologetics is defined as "reasoned arguments or writings in justification of something, typically a theory or religious doctrine."

• What apologetic does Philip use?
  • Come and See. In other words, Philip doesn't take the time to argue, he simply invites Nathaniel to come and see Jesus.

• What happens when Nathaniel meets Jesus in verses 47-48?
  • Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

• What response does Nathaniel have to Jesus in verse 49?
  • He declares Jesus the Son of God.

• What was the result of Philips simple invitation?
  • Nathaniel met Jesus and his life was forever changed.

Conclusion

• One of the most important responsibilities we have is simply to bring people in. No matter who you are, where you are, or who you know, you have a responsibility to bring people to Jesus and let him change their life.