Session 2 John 1:40-51

PHILIP (JOHN 1:43-46)

consider the differences between Philip and Nathanael

43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee.
He found Philip and told him,
“Follow me.”

44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida,
the hometown of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip found Nathanael and told him,
“We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law
(and so did the prophets):
Jesus the son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”
46 “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asked him.
“Come and see,” Philip answered.

IDENTIFY:

names or phrases used to identify Jesus in these verses.

• the one.
• Jesus the son of Joseph, from Nazareth.

what is revealed about Philip?

• A student of scripture.
• Refered to Moses and prophets.

DISCUSS:

Nathanael’s skepticism may have been connected
to Nazareth’s reputation as lacking culture
or to its apparent insignificance.

Nathanael likely expected the Messiah to come
from somewhere mentioned in Messianic texts.

But at this point, none of the disciples
had made the connection to Jesus’s birth in Bethlehem.

HIGHLIGHT:

Philip’s invitation for Nathanael
“Come and see.”

Philip was confident that if Nathanael could just meet Jesus,
he too would be convinced Jesus was the Messiah.

ASK:

• How might a person’s preconceived notions about Jesus affect his or her willingness to follow Him? (p. 23)

FOLLOW-UP:

• What can we learn from how Philip responded to someone else’s skepticism or doubts about Jesus?

TRANSITION:

Philip didn’t argue or debate.
He just encouraged Nathanael to meet Jesus and make up his own mind.
That simple invitation became a turning point in Nathanael’s life.