Jesus is worth following.
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SERMON NOTES:
John 1:35-51
Three disciples of John the Baptist become disciples of Jesus. (35-42)
Jesus is worth following because he sees you.
Two more disciples follow Jesus. (43-49)
Jesus is worth following because he knows you.
Jesus assures the disciples that the best is yet to come! (50-51)
Jesus is worth following because we get to experience God.
study questions:
1. Read John 1:35-38. What did John call Jesus in these verses? Why do you think he repeated this same title that he uses in 1:29? What did Jesus ask these first two disciples? Did they answer his question? What do you think these new disciples were seeking? What were you seeking when you first came to Jesus and what are you seeking now as disciples of Christ?
2. Read John 1:39-42. Why did the two disciples call Jesus “Rabbi” and what does this show us about their attitudes? Who were these first two disciples (this may be difficult to determine)? How many total disciples began to follow Jesus in these verses? Why do you think Jesus told Simon he would be called Peter? How do you think Simon felt about his interaction with Jesus? How would you describe your typical attitude when you come to Jesus? How does it need to change or stay the same?
3. Read John 1:43-46. What did Philip tell Nathanael? Why were Philip’s words significant to Nathanael and also significant for us? What do you learn about Nazareth from these verses? What do you think Philip meant when he said “come and see” in verse 46? What do you think will happen to a person who follows Philip’s advice with an open heart?
4. Read John 1:47-51. What caused Nathanael to follow Jesus? How do you think Jesus knew this information about Nathanael? What does Nathanael call Jesus and what do these two titles teach us about Jesus? What does Jesus promise to Nathanael in verses 50-51?
5. Take time to read Psalm 139 out loud. As you read this Psalm consider what God knows about you. How does this make you feel? How is your response similar or different than Nathanael’s response in John 1:49? How does God’s knowledge about you affect your personal relationship with God? How does it affect how you walk through life?