Simple Reminders
The primary idea you need to keep revisiting during this Following Jesus Pathway is that we are following and being formed by Jesus. This pathway can be learned simply or in great depth. We trust that you as a leader know your people and the dynamics of your group well enough to adapt and impart this topic with grace and wisdom.
This guide is designed to help you and others follow and be formed by Jesus. Remember to keep it Jesus-Centered.
We pray that you will be Spirit-Led and Spirit- Empowered as you lead and learn together.
Go Make Disciples Hand Motion
Researchers have found that moving our bodies and adding actions to our learning significantly increases our ability to remember. Here is a hand action you can add to the command to remember it:
Step 1: (go) Take your right hand and walk your pointer and middle finger away from you
Step 2: (it takes time) now tap those two fingers on your left wrist (like tapping a watch)
Brief Commentary and Context
Answer this question here: What did this mean in the original context and how is it set in the larger story of the Bible?
John 1:35-51 (Jesus Calls the First Disciples)
In the opening chapter of John’s gospel we are introduced to Jesus as the eternal Word who has always been God and always been with God the Father from the beginning. The Word who is life and light and the origin of all things created, now enters the world and becomes flesh as a human in Galilee. John wants us to understand that this is the one and only unique son of God and when we see Him we are seeing the fullness of God’s glory for the first time. Then suddenly a new character is introduced to us, John the baptist, whose very purpose is to bear witness to Jesus as the light of the world.
In verse 35 of chapter 1 John the baptist exclaims, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The calling is to see his glory, to behold the Lamb of God who alone can take away the sin of the world with his own sacrifice. Two of John the Baptist's disciples are apparently mesmerized by the vision of Jesus they’ve been called to behold, and find their feet following after him. Jesus notices their curiosity and asks them a profound question, “What are you seeking?” Jesus’ questions have a way of drawing out what’s in our hearts in a way that we are invited to realize and acknowledge. They want to know where this famous Rabbi is staying, but Jesus will give them their first lesson in what it will mean to follow him as disciples. “Come and you will see” he replies. Jesus’ idea of discipleship was built on being with him and trusting him before knowing what it all even means. They were being invited to follow Jesus with the promise that they would “see.” Yes they would find out where he was staying, but more fully if they dared come after this Rabbi they would “see” the glory of God and beholding him would change everything. Andrew was one of the two disciples that first dared walk away from John the Baptist to follow Jesus, and something about being with him compelled him to invite his brother Simon (Peter) to follow. In a short time Andrew became convinced this Rabbi was the Messiah they had all been waiting for. Jesus would call Philip to “follow” him and Philip couldn’t keep the good news to himself either and soon invited Nathanael. The disciples having beheld Jesus’ glory began to believe and trust in Him. Moved by who he was they were going to their network of relationships (‘oikos’ the greek word for extended household) with an invitation to come and follow Jesus also. Many of them would continue to follow him over the next three years as his disciples, beholding his life, learning to trust in his ways and being transformed by his friendship. Life on life Jesus was faithful to make disciples and eventually asked them to do the same.
Core Truths from the topic
Summary Scripture: Matt. 28:18-20- “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 4:19-20- “Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.”
Acts 1:8- “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
John 1:45- “Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote-Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
John 15:16- “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit-fruit that will last-and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”
2 Timothy 2:2- “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”