You Will See Greater Things

Small Groups

“Come and See”- John 1:46

Fellowship 

Fellowship time with snacks

Gathering Time (5–10 minutes)

Form groups of three or four; discuss the following question: Has someone ever invited you into an experience that completely changed your life? What made you say "yes"?

Scripture Reading and Group Dialogue -(35 minutes)

Scripture: John 1:43–51 

Invite participants to listen for three movements within the story:

1. Who is being called?
2. Who is skeptical?
3. Who receives new vision?

Setting the Biblical Scene

John's Gospel introduces Jesus differently than the other gospels. Rather than beginning with shepherds or wise men, John begins by declaring that Jesus is the eternal Word made flesh. Now the story becomes deeply personal as Jesus begins calling ordinary people into extraordinary lives. Philip hears only two words from Jesus: "Follow me."Immediately, Philip becomes an evangelist, inviting Nathanael, "Come and see."Notice that Philip does not possess every answer. He simply extends an invitation. That is still one of the church's greatest callings. Nathanael initially responds with skepticism. "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"His prejudice almost prevented his encounter with Christ. Yet Jesus does not reject Nathanael for his doubts. Instead, Jesus sees beyond them. Before Nathanael ever recognizes Jesus, Jesus has already seen Nathanael.

The gospel reminds us that discipleship always begins with God's gracious initiative. Before we seek Christ, Jesus has already been seeking us.

Background Notes/Teaching Insights

• "Come and See": This simple invitation appears throughout John's Gospel. Rather than forcing belief through argument, Jesus invites people into relationship. Christian faith is experienced before it is fully explained.
• Spiritual Sight: John repeatedly contrasts physical sight with spiritual sight. Many people looked directly at Jesus without recognizing who he truly was. Others recognized him because their hearts had become open to God's revelation. Faith involves learning to see with redeemed eyes.
• Israel Without Deceit: Jesus describes Nathanael as "an Israelite in whom there is no deceit." This recalls Jacob, whose life was marked by deception until God transformed him. Jesus announces that God's people are becoming renewed through faith.
• Heaven Opened: Jesus concludes by saying, "You will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."This echoes Jacob's ladder in Genesis 28. Jesus becomes the meeting place between heaven and earth. God's presence is no longer confined to sacred geography. God has come near in Jesus Christ.
• Living the Text: Discipleship is accepting Christ's invitation to follow him wherever he leads. Likewise, evangelism is extending the gracious invitation: "Come and see."Many people today are skeptical like Nathanael. Some have been wounded by churches. Some distrust religion. Some have never experienced genuine Christian community. Rather than condemning honest questions, followers of Jesus are called to create communities where people can encounter Christ for themselves. The church serves to introduce people to Jesus, strengthen faith, and grow disciples. And whenever people truly meet Christ, their vision begins to change.
• Kingdom Emphasis: Throughout scripture, God's kingdom continually enlarges the circle of belonging. Jesus intentionally calls fishermen, tax collectors, zealots, women, Samaritans, Gentiles, and others often overlooked by society. Kingdom discipleship dismantles barriers built by prejudice, class, ethnicity, generation, and social status. Following Jesus means learning to see every person through the eyes of God's redeeming love.

Discussion Questions

• Remembering: Who invited Nathanael to meet Jesus, and how did Jesus first respond to him?
  • Suggested Response: Philip invited Nathanael by saying, "Come and see." When Nathanael arrived, Jesus already knew him, describing him as "an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit." Before Nathanael recognized Jesus, Jesus had already recognized him.
• Understanding: Why did Nathanael struggle to believe Philip's testimony about Jesus?
  • Suggested Response: Nathanael's skepticism grew from his assumptions about Nazareth. He believed nothing significant could come from such an insignificant place. John's Gospel reminds us that God often works through unexpected people, places, and circumstances.
• Applying: Where might Christ be inviting you to "come and see" rather than demanding that you understand everything first?
  • Suggested Response: Many believers discover that faith grows through obedience before complete understanding. Jesus often calls us to take the next faithful step before revealing the entire journey.
• Analyzing: “Come and See”—Philip's invitation, Nathanael's skepticism, and Jesus' response. What do these three responses teach us about authentic discipleship?
  • Suggested Response: Philip demonstrates the courage of personal invitation. Nathanael demonstrates honest questioning. Jesus demonstrates gracious welcome. Healthy discipleship creates space for questions while continually pointing people toward Christ.
• Evaluating: Why do assumptions, prejudice, or personal experiences sometimes prevent people from recognizing where God is at work?
  • Suggested Response: Fear, cultural stereotypes, political loyalties, painful church experiences, social divisions, and personal pride can all cloud spiritual vision. Spiritual maturity requires allowing Christ to reshape how we see God and our neighbors.
• Creating: How can our congregation become a church where people genuinely hear and experience the invitation, "Come and see"?
  • Suggested Response: Participants may suggest . . .
    • Community engagement
    • Compassion for neighbors
    • Worship that reflects God's diverse kingdom
    • Intentional discipleship that welcomes seekers as well as lifelong believers
• When Justice Meets Righteousness: Jesus refused to let Nathanael's assumptions become the final word. Instead, Jesus saw beyond labels and into a redeemed future. The kingdom of God has always challenged humanity's tendency to judge people according to geography, race, ethnicity, education, wealth, immigration status, political identity, age, or appearance. Righteousness changes the human heart. Justice changes how redeemed hearts treat other people. When the church truly follows Christ, people who were once strangers become neighbors, and neighbors become family. Perhaps one of the church's greatest ministries today is helping people recover the spiritual discipline of seeing one another through the eyes of Christ instead of through the assumptions of culture. As followers of Jesus, we must continually ask: Who have we quietly decided cannot become disciples? Whom have we overlooked because of stereotypes, fear, or familiarity?
• A Global Christian Witness: In South Africa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu often reminded Christians that reconciliation is the fruit of courageous discipleship. During the struggle against apartheid and in the work that followed, Tutu consistently proclaimed that every person bears the image of God and that justice and reconciliation belong together. His witness reminds us that following Jesus means refusing to surrender either truth or love. Likewise, many young Christians today are finding opportunities to embody Christ's invitation by mentoring children, welcoming refugees, serving neighbors after natural disasters, or building friendships across racial, generational, and cultural boundaries. These ordinary acts reveal the kingdom whenever disciples choose compassion over indifference and hope over fear. Jesus still says, "Come and see."
• Just One Thing: This week, intentionally practice the invitation: "Come and see."Each day ask yourself:
  • Where did I recognize Christ today?
  • Who surprised me by reflecting God's grace?
  • Whom did I intentionally welcome, encourage, or include?
  • How did God stretch my vision beyond my assumptions?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for calling ordinary people into extraordinary discipleship. Open our eyes to recognize your presence, even in places we least expect. Remove our prejudice, deepen our compassion, and enlarge our vision until we see every person as someone deeply loved by you. Make our church a congregation that faithfully extends your invitation to "come and see" through lives marked by holiness, humility, justice, mercy, and love. Empower us by your Holy Spirit to follow wherever you lead. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

About the Author: The Reverend Dr. Victor T. McCullough serves as the senior pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas. He previously served as a district superintendent in The United Methodist Church. His ministry emphasizes biblical preaching, spiritual formation, and the integration of personal holiness with social holiness.