The Gospel Project® for Adults

POINT 1 THE MESSIAH INVITES OTHERS TO FOLLOW HIM (JOHN 1:35-42).

35 The next day, John was standing with two of his disciples.
36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said,
"Look, the Lamb of God!"
37 The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus.
38 When Jesus turned and noticed them following him,
he asked them, "What are you looking for?"
They said to him, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "
where are you staying?" 39 "Come and you'll see," he replied.
So they went and saw where he was staying,
and they stayed with him that day.
It was about four in the afternoon.
40 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two
who heard John and followed him.
41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him,
"We have found the Messiah" (which is translated
"the Christ"), 42 and he brought Simon to Jesus.
When Jesus saw him, he said, "You are Simon, son of John.
You will be called Cephas" (which is translated "Peter").

Explain:

Verses 35-39 bold words fill in blanks

Discipleship includes following Jesus and staying near Him
in response to His invitation to come and know Him more.

Discuss:

• What does it mean to follow Jesus for the modern reader?
• (do what He does and says to do;
• talk to Him in prayer;
• trust in Him not only to save us from sin and death
  but to lead us in holiness;
• worship Him;
• enjoy His presence)

Explain:

Verses 40-42 bold words fill in blanks

Discipleship also includes sharing about Jesus with others,
bringing them to Him so they too can have a new identity
in Christ Jesus.

Discuss:

• Why is it sometimes difficult to share about Jesus with others?
• (because we don't want to be offensive or pushy;
• because we don't want to sound like a fanatic or cult-like;
• because we haven't realized or appreciated
  all that He has done for us)

Transition:

We get to know Jesus by following Him,
and we also have the privilege of telling others about Jesus
so they can follow Him. But we cannot know Jesus fully
until we know that He is a Messiah with the power to save.

MESSIAH

Means "Anointed One," christos in Greek and mashiach in Hebrew,
from which we get the words "Christ" and "Messiah."
Originally, this idea referred to anointed kings, priests,
and prophets called into God's ministry. Later,
it specifically referred to the expected Davidic descendant
who would one day be king, ruling over the Israelites
and vanquishing their enemies.

VOICES FROM THE CHURCH

"Jesus was way more than just some prophet or teacher.
And to point to Him as anything less than the King of kings,
the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,
is to reject Him and insult Him" 1

-- Trip Lee

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