John, Lesson 3

---

John :: The Power of a Convincing Invitation Week 3 - John 1:35-51 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. There is power in an invitation From a convinced person

TEACHINGNOTES

It started with an invitation John 1:35-51 contains variations of the same story, the invitation to follow Jesus. Though every invitation to follow Jesus is unique, there is one common denominator. Each invitation is accompanied by an explanation. Read each passage of Scripture and be ready to discuss each invitation. • 35-39 John the Baptizer was teaching about the coming of the Messiah, here Johns’ disciples actually leave John and follow Jesus. • 40-42 Andrew invites his brother Simon to meet the Messiah, and takes him to Jesus. • 43 Jesus calls Phillip to follow him with the simple phrase ‘Follow Me’. • 44-51 Phillip explains to Nathanael that ‘the one whom Moses and the Prophets foretold’ is here, and he invited Nathanael to come meet Jesus.

Got You Version? This app allows you to follow along with the pastor’s notes on your phone. Tap the ‘Live’ icon at the bottom of the app to access the pastors notes, take your own notes, or even send tweets. To download the app go to YouVersion.com/download then tap ‘Live’ and simply search for an event by putting in Park’s zip code, 60610.

© 2010 Park Community Church. All rights reserved. Download more small group studies online at parkcommunitychurch.org/smallgroupstudies

1

A Look at the First Invitations Jesus does not really ‘call’ the first disciples, except for Phillip in verse 43. Rather, they attach themselves to him because of the words of John the Baptist, and then the witness of his followers. John the baptizer was admittedly taught that his role was to ‘make straight the way of the Lord’ (23) and that it was the One who followed him that would be the Messiah. At the instruction of his teachings, John the baptizers own disciples left him and followed Jesus.

ASIMPLEFACT According to The Barna Group, most people come to church because of a personal invitation but only 2% of church going people invite someone to church in a given year.

John answered, ‘A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’… Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:27-30 Andrew was one of the disciples mentioned in the previous paragraph who followed John the baptizer but left him to follow Jesus. (John, the author, was most likely the other disciple though his name is never given.) Verses 41 and 42 tell the story of how Andrew went and found his brother Simon and said to him “We have found the Messiah” and he brought him to Jesus. Phillip (v. 45-46) found Nathaniel 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… come and see!” In both of these examples, there is an invitation and an explanation to follow Jesus. Andrew simply says, we have found the Messiah. Scripture is clear that the disciples did not understand everything about Jesus’ role as Messiah, but they simply understood enough to know that he was the ‘anointed One’ who was promised to come. The text implies that the first thing Andrew did upon finding the Messiah, was to go immediately and tell his brother. Phillip on the other hand used the phrase ‘The one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote’. Phillip utilized a more academic approach to explain that Jesus is the one who fulfills the Old Testament Scriptures. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me. John 5:39 Phillips academic knowledge of the messianic prophecies is further expressed through the words Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph (v. 45). After an apparent quick conversation, Phillip avoids answering Nathanael questions and simply says ‘come and see!’ (v.46). These illustrations clearly articulate that there are many styles for sharing the Gospel, but there is only one focus in sharing the Gospel: Jesus more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 2 Peter 1:16-20 © 2010 Park Community Church. All rights reserved. Download more small group studies online at parkcommunitychurch.org/smallgroupstudies

2

For Small Group Discussion 1.

When was the last time you convinced someone to do something? What was it and how did you do it?

2. On a scale of 1-10, (with 10 being very comfortable) how comfortable are you sharing your faith?

3. Read verses 35-51 and note the various invitations to faith. Write down the variations John 3-39 John 40-42 John 43 John 44-51

4. What invitation is your style?

5. Discuss times when you are comfortable sharing the Gospel?

6. Penn, of the famed Penn & Teller Las Vegas illusion and comedy due is an atheist. In a You Tube video, Penn shares his feelings on Christians and evangelism. In this he states, “How much do you have to hate someone to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate someone to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them?” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhG-tQk_Q2w a. Do you agree or disagree with Penn’s statement?

b. How does this impact the priority of sharing your faith with others you care about?

© 2010 Park Community Church. All rights reserved. Download more small group studies online at parkcommunitychurch.org/smallgroupstudies

3

Applying it to our individual lives; applying it to our small group 7. Our confidence in sharing the Gospel often has to do with knowing what we believe. The following page has Park’s “What We Believe” statement. a. As you read through “what we believe” consider the questions below. Which ones are you confident to articulate to others? 1) [Bible] What is the Bible and why do you believe it? 2) [God] Who is your God? 3) [Salvation] Why do I need ‘salvation’? 4) [Jesus] Who is Jesus? 5) [Holy Spirit] What is the ‘spirit’? 6) [Human Destiny] What happens when you die? 7) [The Church] Why do you go to church? 8) [Faith & Practice] Is the Bible the final authority in my life? b. Which statements are you less confident in your ability to articulate?

c. Discuss as a small group discuss how you can sharpen your ability to know what you believe. What action steps do you need to take? How can your small group encourage you and hold you accountable?

Our confidence in sharing the Gospel often has to do with knowing what we believe. The following page has Park’s “What We Believe” statement. Scripture Memory John 1:51, And he said to him, “Truly, Truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Prayer Father, today I pray for boldness to share my faith in you with others in my life. Father I pray to be as courageous as Peter when he stood before an angry religious Council in Acts 5:29 and said, ‘we must obey God rather than men.’ Father, just as you confidently came into my life, I pray that I will lovingly and confidently share your love with others.

© 2010 Park Community Church. All rights reserved. Download more small group studies online at parkcommunitychurch.org/smallgroupstudies

4

© 2010 Park Community Church. All rights reserved. Download more small group studies online at parkcommunitychurch.org/smallgroupstudies

5

WHATWEBELIEVE We ascribe to and base our ministry upon certain doctrinal essentials. Adherence to these Biblical truths not only serves as a condition for partnership at Park, but more importantly - serves as a foundation for the abundant life promised by Jesus Christ. THE BIBLE | The sole basis of our beliefs is the Bible, composed of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. We believe Scripture originated entirely from God and that it was given through writers inspired by God. Scripture speaks with the authority of God and at the same time reflects the backgrounds, styles, and vocabularies of the human authors. The Scriptures are presented exactly as God intended and without error in the original manuscripts. They are the unique, full, and final authority on all matters of faith and practice, and there are no other writings similarly inspired by God. (Psalm 119:60; Matthew 5:17-18; 1 Corinthians 2:12-13; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 10:15-16; 2 Peter 1:2021) GOD | We believe there is one true, holy God, eternally existing in three persons -Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - each of whom possesses equally all the attributes of deity and each of whom is worthy of precisely the same homage, confidence, and obedience. In the beginning, God created the world and all things out of nothing, thus manifesting the glory of His power, wisdom and goodness. By His sovereign power He continues to sustain His creation. By His providence He is operating throughout history to fulfill His redemptive purposes. (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Jeremiah 32:17; Matthew 28:18-19; Mark 12:29; John 1:14; 1 Corinthians 8:5-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Colossians 1:13-18; Revelation 1:4-8) SALVATION | The central purpose of God's revelation in Scripture is to call all people into fellowship with Himself. Originally created to have fellowship with God, man defied God, choosing to go his independent way, and was thus alienated from God. The consequence of this rebellion from God is the corruption of human nature, so that people are unable to please God in any way. The fall took place at the beginning of human history, and all individuals since have suffered these consequences and are in need of the saving grace of God. The salvation of mankind is, then, wholly a sovereign work of God's grace, not the result, in whole or in part, of human effort or works of goodness. Salvation becomes a reality in a person's experience when he or she admits his or her own sinfulness and inability to save himself or herself, and receives God's gift of forgiveness by faith. By this act of faith, each person acknowledges his or her own need for repentance and solely relies on Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. When God has begun a saving work in the heart of any person, He gives assurance in His word that He will continue performing it until the day of its full consummation. (Genesis 1:26-27, 3:1-24; Isaiah 64:6-7; Matthew 26:28; John 1:12, 3:7-18, 3:36, 5:24, 10:28; Acts 4:10-12, 16:31, 13:38-39; Romans 1:16-17, 3:10, 3:23-28, 4:5-6, 5:1, 5:9-10, 6:23, 8:3, 8:38-39, 10:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 5:21; Galatians 2:16, 3:13, 3:21-22; Ephesians 1:7, 2:8-9; Philippians 3:4-9; Colossians 3:9-10; 2 Timothy 1:12; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 7:25; 1 Peter 1:3-6, 1:18-19, 1:23; 1 John 5:13; Jude 24) JESUS CHRIST | Jesus Christ is the eternal second person of the Godhead - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He was united with a true human nature by a miraculous conception and virgin birth. He lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father and voluntarily made amends for the sins of humankind by dying on the cross as their substitute, thus satisfying divine justice and accomplishing salvation for all who trust in Him alone. Jesus rose from the dead in the same body, now glorified, in which He lived and died. He ascended into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of the Father, where He, the only mediator between God and man, continually makes intercession for His own. He shall come again to earth, personally and visibly, to consummate history and the eternal plan of God.

© 2010 Park Community Church. All rights reserved. Download more small group studies online at parkcommunitychurch.org/smallgroupstudies

6

(Matthew 1:18-25, 25:31-46; Mark 10:45; Luke 24; John 1:1, 1:14, 8:58; Acts 1:9-11, 2:22-24; Romans 5:1819; 1 Corinthians 15:12-19; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:5-8; Colossians 1:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Hebrews 2:14-15, 4:14-16; Revelation 11:15-17, 20:11-15, 22:13, 22:20) THE CHRISTIAN LIFE & THE HOLY SPIRIT | The essential accompaniment of a genuine saving relationship with Jesus Christ is a life of holiness and obedience, attained by believers as they submit to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. He was sent into the world by the Father and the Son to apply to mankind the saving work of Christ. He enlightens the minds of sinners, awakens in them a recognition of their need of a Savior and regenerates them. At the point of salvation He permanently indwells every believer to become the source of assurance, strength and wisdom, and genuinely endows each believer with gifts for the building of the church. The Holy Spirit guides believers in understanding and applying Scripture. His power and control are appropriated by faith, making it possible for the believer to lead a life of Christ-like character, referred to as fruit of the Spirit, to the glory of the Father. (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:7-10; John 3:5-8, 14:16, 14:26, 16:8, 16:13; Romans 8:9, 8:14-17; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 12:13; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Galatians 5:16-17, 5:25; Ephesians 4:30; Titus 3:5) HUMAN DESTINY | Death seals the eternal destiny of each person. At the return of Christ, every human being will be bodily resurrected from the dead. All who have rejected Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will be separated from God for eternity. God's judgment will reveal His justice in consigning them to perpetuate in eternity their own rejection of God. All who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will be received into everlasting communion with God and will be rewarded for works done in this life that glorify Christ. (John 5:24-29; Romans 2:5-11; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, 9:25; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Revelation 20:11-15) THE CHURCH | The result of union with Jesus Christ is that all believers become members of His body, the Church. The one true Church is composed of all those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Wherever God's people meet regularly, there is the local expression of the church. Under the watchful care of elders and other supportive leaders, its members are to work together in love and unity, intent on the ultimate purpose of bringing glory to God. Scripture commands all believers to be an active part of a local church body, devoting themselves to worship, prayer, and the teaching of God's Word. Participation in a local body also includes the observance of believer's baptism and communion as the sacramental ordinances established by Jesus Christ, fellowship, service to the body, and outreach to the world, thereby glorifying Christ and furthering His purposes. (Matthew 16:18, 28:19-20; Acts 2:41; Romans 12:4-9; 1 Corinthians 12:7, 12:12-13; Ephesians 4:12; Colossians 1:18; 1 Peter 4:10) FAITH AND PRACTICE | Scripture is the final authority in all matters of faith and practice. This church recognizes that it cannot bind the conscience of individual members in areas where Scripture is silent. Rather, in these areas each believer should seek the wise counsel of others in the church and then be led by the Lord, to whom he or she alone is ultimately responsible.

© 2010 Park Community Church. All Rights Reserved. 1001 N Crosby St, Chicago, IL 60610

parkcommunitychurch.org © 2010 Park Community Church. All rights reserved. Download more small group studies online at parkcommunitychurch.org/smallgroupstudies

7