Andrew Brought His Brother
Month 3: Come, Follow Me · Loving Others
Today's Scripture
Read together: John 1:40-42
40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s testimony and followed Jesus. 41 He first found his brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated as Christ). 42 Andrew brought him to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated as Peter).
Memory Verse
“The next day Jesus decided to set out for Galilee. Finding Philip, He told him, “Follow Me.””— John 1:43 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Judges 2-4
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Day 66 of 365 — Israel forgets the Lord, and God raises up judges like Deborah to rescue them.)The Heart of It
Andrew had only just met Jesus. But look what he did first. "He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah'" (). He didn't wait until he had all the answers or felt like an expert. He simply went and got Simon. And "he brought him to Jesus." That brother, of course, was Simon Peter. Peter would become one of the most important leaders in the whole story of the church. And it all started because Andrew loved his brother enough to bring him along.
This is one of the most beautiful, ordinary ways we love others. We bring the people closest to us to Jesus. You don't need a stage or a sermon. You just need what Andrew had. He had joy over Jesus, and he had a brother he cared about. It could be a sister or a friend too. Notice something else. Andrew is barely mentioned again, while Peter becomes famous. Andrew didn't seem to mind. He was happy just to make the introduction. In God's family, the quiet person who brings someone to Jesus matters every bit as much as the one who stands up front. So who is your "brother" to bring?
Around the Table
As soon as Andrew met Jesus, he ran to get his brother! When we love someone, we want them to know Jesus too.
Let's do it: Name one person you'd love to bring to Jesus. Then pray for them by name right now.
Andrew didn't preach a big sermon. He just brought his brother to Jesus. We can do that with our friends.
Let's talk: Who is one friend you could invite to church or tell about Jesus this week?
Peter got famous. Andrew stayed in the background, and he didn't seem to mind. Being faithful matters more than getting the spotlight.
Let's go deeper: Could you be glad to help someone shine for Jesus, even if no one ever noticed your part? Why is that hard?
💬 Conversation Starter
Who in our family or neighborhood would you most want to walk with you to meet Jesus?— Andrew started with his very own brother.
🛡️ Defending the Faith
The Gospel writers freely tell us that Andrew faded into the background while Peter became famous. They even write down the disciples' failures. When people make up heroes, they polish them until they shine. Honest history leaves the unflattering details in.
For Dad · Go Deeper
Andrew is the patron saint of the unsung. Three times in John's Gospel he shows up doing the same humble thing. He brings someone to Jesus, and then he's content to let others take it from there. For a father, that's two things at once. It's a quiet rebuke to the part of us that wants the credit. And it's a quiet comfort, because the most important thing you ever do may be an introduction no one applauds. In a real sense, you are the Andrew of your home. Your daily, ordinary job is simply to keep bringing your children to Jesus. Most of that work is invisible, and none of it is glamorous. Do it anyway. The Peters of the next generation are often raised by faithful Andrews who never made the headlines.
Draws on: D. A. Carson, The Gospel According to John; Charles Spurgeon, sermon "Andrew, the Apostle of Personal Work."
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You for showing us how Andrew brought his brother to Jesus. Give us that same kind of love. Help us bring the people we care about to You. In Jesus' name, amen."
The simplest way to love someone is to bring them straight to Jesus.