the gospel challenge

An 8-week adventure of discovery

Week Two: Following Jesus

1.  Watch the message
What did you hear?
What did you learn about God?
What did you learn about people?
Jot down a word, a phrase, or insight you want to remember throughout the week.
WATCH ANY MESSAGE FROM THIS SERIES HERE
2. Read the passages at least one time during the week:
This week we see followers of John begin to follow Jesus.  There seems to be an excitement, an anticipation, and a hope that Jesus could be the long awaited for Messiah. 
Some things to think about the passage:
  • How do you respond to the invitation from Jesus to “come and see? (vs. 39)”  Are you excited, hopeful, hesitant, resistant, curious, other?
  • Jesus saw not only who Simon was, but also who he would become. (vs. 42)  Who in your life saw you for who you would become?  Take some time to express your gratitude to God for that person.  Consider expressing your gratitude to that person directly.  Who could benefit from your affirmation of the person they are and who you believe they will become?
  • Nazareth was not thought well of by Jewish people.  Nathanael had a prejudice against anyone from there (vs. 46). In spite of his pre-conceived ideas of Jesus because of where he was from, he accepted the invitation to “come and see for yourself” and his life was forever transformed.  What pre-conceived ideas about Jesus (or maybe other Christians) might be keeping you from experiencing the fullness of life Jesus has to offer?

John 1:35-51   NLT

35 The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. 36 As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” 37 When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.
38 Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them.
They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
39 “Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.
40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”[a]).
42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”[b]).
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” 44 Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown.
45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses[c] and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”
46 “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.
47 As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”
48 “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”
49 Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”
50 Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.[d]”

Practices to supplement your reading

3.  Explore a Practice
You are encouraged to explore different spiritual practices during this eight-week challenge.  Not all practices benefit everyone, but you are encouraged to use this time to experiment with something new or return to a practice maybe you haven’t done in a while.  You will be provided with a couple different options.  You are encouraged to try one each week.

Gratitude

For the next 3 days, end everyday by saying thank you to God for at least one thing.  Then tell God what that one thing meant for you.

Journaling

Explore journaling 3 times this week.  Give yourself permission to write about anything that is on your heart and mind.  If you are not sure how to start, consider these prompts:  what are you grateful for? What do you desire? How are you feeling? What challenges are you facing?

Breath Prayer

A simple prayer that can be repeated throughout the day. Using scripture, phrases or names of God.
This is a simple way to connect with God throughout the day in the midst of whatever you are doing.  What do you notice as you make this a rhythm in your day?
Examples:
breathe in “Lord”, breathe out “Here I am”;
breathe in “Jesus”, breathe out, “I need you”,
breathe in “Son of David", breathe out “Have mercy on me.”
breathe in “Jesus, I can’t”, breath out “You can.”

Talk to a Friend

Take the initiative to call, Zoom, Facetime or talk with someone about the message and/or your reading of the passage from John this week.  Here are some optional questions/suggestions to get your conversation started:
  • Share a thought or insight from Sunday’s message.
  • What did you learn or notice about these first people who encountered Jesus?  How would you have responded if you would have been one of these first disciples?
  • Which spiritual practice did you try?  Was it helpful?  If so how?
  • How is God working in your life?
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May God meet you in the reading of His Word and throughout your week as you notice His presence.
Have a wonderful week!