What is Jesus’ very first act of ministry?
Jesus’ very first act of ministry is
#1 – Jesus is simply doing what God always does.
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Supporting Scripture: Genesis 1:26-28 (ESV)
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God desires relationship with humanity.
#2 – Jesus is revealing to us His plan for reaching the world with the gospel.
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“It all started by Jesus calling a few men. His concern was not with programs to reach the multitudes, but with men who the multitudes would follow. Men were to be his method of winning the world to God.” – Robert Coleman
Our primary method of reaching people with the Gospel, following the method of our Master, is to in relationship with Jesus and to relationship with others.
It’s a perpetuating, multiplying cycle.
“Come and see”
Who in your life needs to hear those three powerful words?
Who is your “one more”?
John 1:35-51 narrates the story of Jesus calling His first disciples. It’s a powerful passage that shows how Jesus gathered followers through personal encounters and invitation. Here are some personal reflection questions based on this passage:
1. Encountering Jesus:
- When I first encountered the message of Jesus, how did it impact me personally? What was my initial response?
- How can I create space in my life to intentionally seek out deeper encounters with Jesus, similar to how the first disciples did?
2. Invitation to Follow:
- Jesus invites the disciples to “come and see.” How open am I to Jesus’ invitation in my own life? Are there areas of my life where I hesitate to follow Him fully?
- What does it look like for me to “follow” Jesus in my current stage of life?
3. Seeing Jesus as the Messiah:
- How do I personally recognize Jesus as the Messiah? What has shaped my understanding of Him as Savior, King, and Lord?
- In what ways can I strengthen my faith in Jesus’ identity and His role in my life?
4. Personal Calling:
- Just as Andrew and Philip followed Jesus and then invited others, how can I be a part of Jesus’ invitation to others to “come and see”?
- What does it mean to live out my calling to gather others as followers of Jesus? How might this look in my relationships and daily life?
5. Philip’s Conviction to Share:
- Philip didn’t hesitate to invite Nathanael to meet Jesus. How confident am I in sharing the good news of Jesus with others?
- Are there barriers (fear, doubt, uncertainty) that prevent me from inviting others to “come and see”? How can I overcome those challenges?
6. Nathanael’s Skepticism:
- Nathanael initially doubts Philip’s invitation, asking, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Have I ever struggled to believe in or trust God in certain areas of my life? How did I overcome that?
- How do I respond when I’m presented with something new or unfamiliar about God? Am I quick to judge, or do I seek to understand more deeply?
7. Growth in Faith:
- As Nathanael’s faith grows after encountering Jesus, how has my faith grown since I first believed? Are there specific moments where I’ve seen a deeper revelation of who Jesus is?
- What areas of my life still need further growth in faith? How can I nurture a deeper, more authentic relationship with Jesus?
8. Jesus’ Call to Greater Things:
- Jesus promised Nathanael that he would see “greater things.” How do I understand God’s promises to me? How can I expect and trust in greater things that God wants to do in and through my life?
- How do I cultivate a heart that expects God to do amazing things, just as Jesus invited His followers to?
9. What Kind of Follower Am I?
- Jesus called His followers to live in a way that reflects His kingdom. What kind of follower am I? Am I fully surrendered, or do I hold back in certain areas of my life?
- How can I be a more faithful, wholehearted follower of Jesus?
10. The Power of Personal Testimony:
- The disciples shared their personal experiences of Jesus with others (like Philip sharing with Nathanael). How can my testimony be used to draw others to Christ?
- How comfortable am I in sharing what Jesus has done for me? What holds me back from telling others about His work in my life?