Big Idea:
Jesus invites everyone—even the skeptics—to come and see who He really is, because knowing Him changes everything, no matter where you start.
Key Verses:
John 1:35-51
Discussion Questions:
Nathanael got hung up on Jesus being from Nazareth—something small that almost blocked him from seeing the truth. What’s one “hang-up” or doubt you’ve had about Jesus or faith (like something you’ve seen Christians do, or a question you can’t answer)? How do you think “coming and seeing” for yourself could change how you view that doubt?
Jesus told Nathanael, “I saw you under the fig tree,” showing He knew him before they even met. How does it feel to think Jesus sees you—your wins, your mess-ups, even the stuff you hide—like right now as a student? What’s one moment in your life where you’d want Him to say, “I saw you there” and why?
The sermon said Jesus is better experienced than explained, like Philip just saying “Come and see” instead of debating Nathanael. Why do you think experiencing Jesus might matter more than having all the answers? How could you “invite” someone in your life—like a friend stressing about school or a teammate—to check out Jesus without sounding preachy?
Some people in the story, like Andrew and Peter, jumped in with no questions, while Nathanael needed convincing. Where do you see yourself on that spectrum right now—totally sold-out, skeptical, or somewhere in between? What’s one thing (a person, an experience, a question) that’s pushed you toward or away from Jesus this year?
For those who’ve walked with Jesus a while, the challenge was to help others experience Him through how you live, not just what you say. As a student, with life happening all the time, how could your life—your choices—show Jesus to people in a way words can’t? What’s one practical step you could take this week to do that?