Lesson 13 – Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

Jesus called Philip and Nathanael to believe in Him. In Jesus, access to heaven is given to all who believe.

Opening

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

This lesson will use the Bible and the Lesson 13 Leaflet from the Student Pack. The front cover shows how the artist sees Jesus talking with Nathanael. Also paper and pencil will be needed.

God calls us to faith though His Word. We call on God in prayer. We call people names, or by name. God calls us to vocations ways to serve Him in our lives, such as parent, worker, and sibling. The Holy Spirit calls some to be pastors and other church workers (Romans 12:6-8).

Watch the video, "The Same Love - Paul Baloche”.

When does God call us by name? In Holy Baptism

How does God call us to the cross? Through His Word and Sacraments, God "calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith".  This lesson is about how Jesus called two disciples to follow Him.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, You called each of us to be Your children in Holy Baptism and Your Word. Thank You for calling us out of sin and for sending Your Son, Jesus, to save us from sin, death, and the power of the devil. In His holy name we pray. Amen

God Speaks

This lesson is about how some early disciples came to believe in Jesus.

Follow the directions on page 2 of the leaflet and answer the questions.

Read John 1:43-51

Verses 43-46

What did Philip have in common with Peter and Andrew? All came from the same town of Bethsaida, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

What did Jesus mean when He told Philip, "Follow Me"? This was an invitation to become Jesus' student, or disciple.

How did Nathanael respond when Philip told him about Jesus? Nathanael asked, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Nazareth did not have a good reputation.

What did Philip say to convince Nathanael to go with him? “Come and see."

Verses 47-49

Put what Jesus said when He saw Nathanael in your own words. Jesus said, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" Translation: Here is a man who speaks the truth and does not lie, or who speaks his mind. In this way, Jesus opened a conversation that let Him show Nathanael His identity.

Nathanael seemed to agree with Jesus' assessment that he was truthful because he asked how Jesus knew him. What did Jesus tell Nathanael next? How could Jesus know this? Jesus said He saw Nathanael under a fig tree before Philip found him. Jesus knew this because He is God and knows all things.

How did Nathanael respond? Nathanael said Jesus is the Son of God, the King of Israel.

Verses 50-51

What did Jesus say Nathanael would see? Did this come true? Jesus said Nathanael would see greater things. As one of the twelve disciples, Nathanael saw Jesus do many amazing things: feed thousands of people with a little bit of food, walk on water, calm a storm, heal many, and rise from the dead. Even more, Jesus said he would see angels ascending and descending from heaven on Jesus, the Son of Man, and the ladder set up on earth to reach heaven. Jesus is the only way to the Father. He carries us up with Him to heaven.

 What Old Testament event does ascending and descending angels bring to mind? Hint: Genesis 28:10-17. Angels ascended and descended on the ladder set up on earth in the vision God gave Jacob as he fled after stealing his brother's blessing from their dying father, Isaac. Jesus fulfills this Messianic vision.

"Son of Man" is a phrase only Jesus used in the New Testament, and only when speaking of Himself. Any faithful Jewish person would recognize this messianic language from the Old Testament. What did Jesus do in this account that shows He is God and not an ordinary person? Jesus told Nathanael where he was before Philip spoke to him. This shows Jesus is the all-knowing God. Jesus also used language that told the men that He was the Messiah!

We Live

Continue on page 3 of the leaflet.

How do we receive the gift of faith? Read Romans 10:17; Ephesians 2:8; and 1 Peter 3:21 (on leaflet). Faith, a gift, comes from hearing God’s Word, delivered through His Word and the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. We are saved by grace through faith, a gift from God through the sinless life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ.

How do the people in today's Scripture show that faith does not depend on our changing feelings or opinions? Philip excitedly told his friend Nathanael about Jesus. Nathanael's opinion about Jesus changed when he met Him. These two men lived through many changes and through the sad days of Jesus' death and the joyful days after His resurrection By faith, they persevered and confessed Christ in Jerusalem after Jesus' ascension. They died because of their faith in Christ, faithful to the end of their earthly lives.

Follow the directions on page 4 of the leaflet. Write a brief sentence about the use of each item shown.

How does God use these earthly elements to connect with us?

 

• Baptism: The Spirit brings life-saving faith through the water and Word at Baptism.
• Holy Communion: We receive forgiveness and strengthening of faith through Christ's body and blood in Holy Communion.
• The Bible: God's Spirit speaks with us as we study His Word.

Closing

The conclusion of the Lord's Prayer talks about God's kingdom, which those God calls to the Christian faith enjoy on earth and will enjoy forever in heaven:

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

 Listen to the hymn "Jesus! Name of Wondrous Love".