What's with all the Commotion?

Read It: John 1:43-46 (NRSV)

⁴³The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee.  He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”  ⁴⁴Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.  ⁴⁵Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.”  ⁴⁶Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”  Philip said to him, “Come and see.”  

Learn It:

Nathanael may seem like a skeptic when his friend Philip tells him about this man named Jesus from Nazareth but it's helpful to understand that LOTS of people would have almost no idea where or what Nazareth was and those people who had heard of it knew that it was a TINY town that didn't really have much of anything going for it.  So to be fair to Nathanael his question is a legitimate one...little did he know that the messiah is the one who came from Nazareth.  My favorite part of this text is Philip's invitation to "come and see".  What a wonderful invitation.  He doesn't try to convince or persuade his friend he simply invites him to come and find out for himself what he is so excited about.  

Share It:

What are the things in your life that get you excited?  Why do those particular things get you excited or happy?  You can use this time as a show and tell if you want (bring something to the table to share with everyone else).  Now...what are the things that get you excited about Jesus and about your faith?  If you can't think of something then what things might you be able to do to help you get excited about the things that God promises you (love, support, forgiveness, everlasting life, community)?  Talk about these and other things that come up during your share it time together.

Live It:

This week I encourage you to find a way to find excitement in your faith.  Find something about your faith that really brings you joy and then invite someone to share in that joy.  Be like Philip and invite someone to 'come and see' the goodness and wonder of God.  

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Please post comments with your experience with the share it or live it part of this weeks post.  Let others know if you and your family found this useful.