Remembering God’s Passion
Week Starting Sunday, February 13, 2005
This Week’s Scripture Reading
John 1:43-51
43The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, be my disciple.” 44Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown.
45Philip went off to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”
46“Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from there?”
“Just come and see for yourself,” Philip said.
47As they approached, Jesus said, “Here comes an honest man—a true son of Israel.”
48“How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked.
And Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”
49Nathanael replied, “Teacher, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”
50Jesus asked him, “Do you believe all this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51Then he said, “The truth is, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down upon the Son of Man.”
Prayers for the Week:
Sunday |
Heavenly Father, as we start the season of Lent, I pray that You will show me new ways that I can be faithful to You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may honor You in worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and mission. In Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Monday |
Heavenly Father, Open my eyes to see what Your word has to say, what it meant when it was written. By Your Holy Spirit guide me to Your truth. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. |
Tuesday |
Heavenly Father, Show me the overarching principles in this Scripture that apply not only to Philip and Nathanael, but to me. Let me know the meaning of Your word, that I may live it to Your glory. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Wednesday |
Dear Lord, I worship You today. Help me to have my priorities right in all things. I don't want to focus on the wrong things. I want to dwell only on things that are from You. I need Your help in this. In Jesus name I pray. . . Amen. |
Thursday |
Dear Lord, I thank You that You made me in Your image. Help me not to compare myself with others. Teach me to be content in who You made me to be. Let me always keep my eyes on You rather than others. I ask this in Jesus' name. . . Amen. |
Friday |
Dear Lord, Your will is most important. Help me to discover that reality today. I do not want to get so caught up in the wrong things that I miss all that You want to do in my life. Let me see You as You really are. In Jesus' name. . . Amen. |
Saturday |
Dear Lord, You are my true foundation. I ask that You would help me to get back to Your foundation. I don't want to build my life on the wrong thing. I want You to give stability to my life. I ask this in Your name. . . Amen. |
Background on the Text
John 1:43-51 records the calling of Philip and Nathaniel to be Jesus’ disciples. John’s Gospel is the only one containing this record, and none of the lists of Jesus’ disciples records a “Nathanael” as one of the twelve. Many scholars believe that Nathanael and Bartholomew are one in the same. In any event, Nathanael was less than impressed when Philip told him that they had found Jesus, the Messiah, who was the son of Joseph from Nazareth. Nathanael responded with the infamous question, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” When Nathanael actually met Jesus, though, he was more than impressed. Jesus made it clear that He had seen Nathanael while he and Philip had been having their conversation, even though Jesus wasn’t present, and that Nathanael would see much more amazing things as he traveled with Jesus. All the Scriptures recording the calling of the disciples make it clear that each had his shortcomings, and none were impressive at first glance. That reality is an encouragement to us, as it reminds us that Jesus calls us out of His great love and because by His Holy Spirit in us we can all become great, regardless of our starting point. As you study this passage through the week, consider what it must have been like to be Philip or Nathanel!
Monday
Observation: What does the text say?
Tuesday
Interpretation: What do these verses mean?
Wednesday
Application: How can I respond to the text’s insights and teachings?
Thursday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
Encouraged and strengthened me by:
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Fallen short areas
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What will I do with these insights?
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Friday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
What did God say to me this week?
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Share insights and growth points
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Changed/transformed how?
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Saturday
Reflective Thoughts