Joining The Team

Think about how most friendships begin: a simple invitation, “Want to hang out sometime?” That’s how this all started—with a Person, not a program; with an invitation, not an instruction manual. John introduces us to the first followers of Jesus, and we watch how he built his team one person at a time. John the Baptist releases his own disciples to Jesus without envy or control. In a culture where students pledged loyalty to their rabbi for life, he points and lets go. That’s a holy pattern: be faithful where you are, and when God says move, release what you love. You can’t follow Jesus forward if you’re clinging to yesterday’s assignment.

Andrew meets Jesus and immediately finds his brother Peter. “Find, Tell, Bring.” Evangelism isn’t a script we memorize; it’s an overflow of a real encounter. You may not have every answer, but you can say, “Come see Jesus in this.” Then Jesus turns and asks, “What do you want?” Not “What are you looking at?” but “What are you truly seeking?” They answer, “Where are you staying?”—which is another way of saying, “We want to live with you.” Discipleship isn’t a download of content; it’s a life lived in proximity. It’s weekday faith, not weekend religion.

Philip brings Nathaniel, who is skeptical. Philip doesn’t argue; he invites: “Come and see.” Jesus meets Nathaniel with a word that reveals he truly knows him—“I saw you under the fig tree”—and Nathaniel recognizes he’s standing in front of the One the Scriptures promised. Jesus promises even greater things and declares himself the true “stairway to heaven”—Jacob’s ladder fulfilled—the living bridge between earth and heaven. He is the way in. He knows everything about you, and still he calls you close. The Spirit still gives gifts that edify; when we think God is showing us something for someone else, we ask humbly, “Is this true?” We aim to build, not break.

This is how the movement began—one person inviting another, one release making room for fresh obedience. The church is not a crowd; it’s a multiplying family. Our life together is about disciples who make disciples who make disciples. Join the team.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Release people to follow Jesus Letting go is an act of trust, not neglect. When we release a child, a friend, or a role, we refuse to make ourselves the center of their story. We accept that seasons change and obedience sometimes means stepping aside. God writes better chapters when we stop clutching the pen.
• 2. Want Him more than His gifts Jesus asks, “What do you want?” because desire directs discipleship. If we come mainly for music, answers, or belonging, we’ll miss the One those gifts are meant to point toward. Proximity to Jesus—doing life with him—forms us more than any program. Keep asking whether your practices are drawing you to a Person.
• 3. Evangelism begins with a simple invite Andrew and Philip didn’t debate; they invited. “Come and see” dignifies a seeker’s process and trusts Jesus to reveal himself. Relationships carry the weight of truth better than arguments do. Prayer plus a personal invitation can do what pressure never will.
• 4. Jesus sees you and opens heaven Nathaniel encountered a Savior who knew him before he spoke. The One who sees your hidden places also holds access to heaven. He is both intimate and cosmic—near enough to name your story, mighty enough to reconcile you to God. Expect him to speak, to surprise, and to lead you into greater things.

1. What did John the Baptist do when two of his disciples left him (vv. 35–37)? What words or actions show his attitude?
2. How did Andrew respond after meeting Jesus (vv. 40–42)? What three actions describe his pattern?
3. What question did Jesus ask the two new followers (vv. 38–39), and how did they answer?
4. What did Jesus say to Nathaniel (vv. 47–50) and how did Nathaniel react?

1. What does John the Baptist’s willingness to point his disciples to Jesus reveal about his understanding of his role and about healthy leadership in the church?
2. What does Jesus’ question “What do you want?” suggest about what truly begins discipleship—motives, desires, or expectations?
3. Why would Jesus’ remark about seeing Nathaniel under the fig tree convince Nathaniel that Jesus was the Messiah? What does that tell the group about Jesus’ way of revealing himself?
4. The sermon said Jesus “aimed to build, not ruin” when God shows something about another person. How should the church respond when someone claims God has revealed a personal detail about someone else?

1. Is there someone in your life right now God may be asking you to release (a child, a friend, a ministry role)? Name that person or role and one concrete step you will take this week to release or prepare to release them.
2. Are you holding a ministry, relationship, or role out of familiarity rather than obedience? If so, what is one practical next step you can take in the next 7 days (e.g., talk to a leader, set a hand-off date, begin training a successor)?
3. Who is one person in your sphere of influence you can invite to “come and see” Jesus at a church event or simply to hear your story? Write their name and plan the exact wording of a text or invite you will send this week.
4. Reflect honestly: what draws you most to church right now—music, teaching, friends, answers, or Jesus himself? Which of those is most dominant, and what is one small change you will make this week to move from attending programs to living in proximity to Jesus (daily Bible time, a short prayer practice, a midweek walk and talk with God)?
5. If you ever sense God showing you something about another person, how will you test and deliver that word so it builds rather than hurts? Draft a short script you could use (e.g., “I wonder if this is true—would you be open if I share something I feel God put on my heart?”).
6. Do you believe Jesus knows the hidden places of your life and still calls you close? Identify one hidden worry or shame you will bring to Jesus in prayer this week.
7. Choose one “Operation Andrew/Philip” action for the next month: pick one person to pray for daily, invite to one event, or bring into a one-on-one conversation about faith. Who will it be and what will you do?