Called To Be A Friend Book. Chapter One
Who is our friend?
My life is like a movie, because it seems to share a very common theme. I can picture myself in the lunchroom eating alone. Not even at a corner table, and not even on the floor in the corner, but alone in a dark hallway somewhere. Many times, crying out to God for some kind of friend, but at that time in my life, I did not know how to be a good friend. Most of the other students did know that I existed but they also knew that I was mentally damaged. Then, there were those who made total fun of me. I always seemed to be the bunt of every joke. It was easy to make fun of me, because I had low self-esteem and believed in what people had to say about me. As a result, I buried my sadness in books and activities I could do alone. I got used to being a loner! The devil had me right where he wanted me. However, God has called us to community. God never intended on being a loner. Really? Consider why God made Eve for Adam and God made two of every type of animal?
The hero of the movie is usually someone popular and is usually not a loner. The popular students (kids) were happy, they had money, and they knew how to be like others. In essence, I felt like they knew how to fit in. Only teachers and personally know the term hidden school, but every school has one. It’s the relationships of the students that make up the hidden school. You know, it is how the students are grouped together: the geek squad, the jocks, the preppy, the cool kids, the disabled, the rich, and the poor. The hidden school is full of unpopular students. The heroes are popular students. And in many schools the popular kids just don’t initiate a friendship with those in the hidden school. As a result, life is challenging for the unseen students.
How was it in your school?
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Who made fun of?
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Who got picked on?
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Did you know someone like this?
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Were you brave enough to help them? Why or why not?
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What does the scripture say about being a loner?
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Similarly, there is a story in the Bible, called the gospel of John, where someone sees someone else and initiates or starts a relationship. The word of the gospel means the good news and for John, one of Jesus’s closest friends, his book reveals some helpful details for us in our study today.
First, let’s look at the character of Jesus. As rightfully so, Jesus is the hero of this story. He is the main character. He is our leader. And he is our defender and are all in all. This entire New Testament is the retailing a revealing of Jesus Christ. Oh, to be like Jesus, we must know who He was, who He is, and what He accomplished.
Next week can examine Philip: do you know that Philip was a good friend of Nathaniel. Philip doesn’t want his good friend Nathaniel to miss out on meeting the hero Jesus Christ. Can you picture the opportunity of meeting the celebrity, not only the popular person, but meeting Jesus Christ himself? One day we will all have this experience we will see him face-to-face, not just spiritually.
Our next character is Nathan annual: who is called Bartholomew Mule. He is described as the genuine son of Israel. He is a man of complete integrity. What does integrity mean? I talk to my congregation all the time about integrity and living a holy life. He’s an authentic and genuine person and desires to know God intimately. Oh, for us to be like Nathan annual.
Now let’s look at the locations.
Galilee: this is a small-town way up in the mountains and it’s filled with country folk.
Nazareth: this is Jesus’s hometown. He was never thought to be the hero or the popular person.
The Fig Tree: a very common tree and Nazareth, even today, it offers shade and a tasty treat.
Content of the story:
God instructed John to write this book so that His readers would know that Jesus is God in the flesh. I have had some fun lately telling some people that they are the most important person to walk the Earth, but that is not totally true. Jesus is the most important person to ever walk the Earth. Jesus in the book of John also calls 12 other men to follow Him, but they too are not the focus, and they are also not the most import person of the story.
Now let’s take the time to read our content. Turn to the big book of John we will be in chapter 1 verses 43 to 51.
Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael (KJV) I
“43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”
Review Questions:
How do these encounters with Jesus demonstrate the importance of personal relationships in discipleship?
Overcoming Skepticism: How did Jesus overcome Nathanael’s initial skepticism? What does this teach us about sharing our faith?
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“Come and See”: How does Jesus’ invitation to “Come and see” apply to our own faith journey and evangelism?
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The Son of Man:
What is the significance of Jesus’ self-designation as the Son of Man? What does it reveal about his identity and purpose?
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Greater Things: What does Jesus mean by “greater things”? How does this promise encourage believers?
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Did you notice the word: see?
Philip told Nathaniel to come and see Jesus. Philip wanted Nathaniel to look in the eyes of God and judge for himself. He wanted Nathaniel to do this so that he could make a decision about Jesus for himself. It is so powerful to be seen by others. Can you imagine God saying I see you? How would that make you feel?
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Jesus is not the only one who notices people for who they really are, but Jesus also seeks people out. You may recall in the book of Genesis the meeting God had with Hagar Hagar names, God -“the God who sees me.” therefore, when Jesus tells Nathaniel that he sees him.-he sees him like God seen Hagar.
The story of Hagar is primarily found in Genesis 16 and Genesis 21 of the Bible. If you need to review the story, please turn back and do so now. Anyway, these chapters detail her experiences as Abraham’s concubine and the mother of Ishmael, her interactions with Sarah, and her encounters with angels in the wilderness.
These two stories are vital for our study today because we see the first step into having a relationship with someone. Noticed that in both stories. The first step in the relationship was seeing someone and initiating a conversation. Sometimes, for us today, we have to put our phone down, look around, and actually say, “How are you” to someone.
Now, the deeper truth within both stories isn’t about friendship with others, but it is that God sees you. He seen Nathaniel under p victory and he sees you wherever you’re reading this information. God is initializing a relationship with you. He will never reject you And he continues to invite us every day to a deeper relationship with him. It’s out of our friendships with the Lord that our foreign ships with one another can grow and foster into something deeply rooted.
Now, let’s take time to make a meaningful connection with God through prayer.
Know the points!
- Enter into a deeper walk and a deeper friendship with God.
To do this, you may have to imagine that God is sitting or standing right next to you. Have conversation conversations with God just as you would a true friend here on earth.
2. Enter into a deeper friendship with others today.
Use your gift of encouragement to help someone today. You can do this by texting them, by instant message, or even by the WhatsApp. Include in that message a reminder that God sees them and loves them.
3. God sees you! Inialize friendships with God and others.
4. Learning about Jesus you will not learn anything bad.
Memory Scriptures:
Acts 1:13
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John 1:47
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Genesis 16:13
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