We Have Found the Messiah!
Month 3: Come, Follow Me · Family Worship
Today's Scripture
Read together: John 1:45-51
45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, He said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit.” 48 “How do You know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” 49 “Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus said to him, “Do you believe just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51 Then He declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
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 5-7
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Day 67 of 365 — Gideon's tiny army of 300, so the victory clearly belongs to God.)The Heart of It
Once Jesus found Philip, he couldn't keep it in. He ran to his friend Nathanael and announced, "We have found Him of whom Moses and the prophets wrote. It's Jesus of Nazareth" (). But Nathanael had his doubts. "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip didn't argue or push him. He simply gave the same invitation Jesus gives everyone. "Come and see." And when Nathanael came, Jesus told him something only God could have known. He had seen Nathanael under the fig tree before they ever met. The doubter melted on the spot. "Rabbi, You are the Son of God!"
This is the whole week in one story. Jesus finds people. People tell people. And doubters who "come and see" end up worshiping. Nathanael's honest question wasn't a wall between him and Jesus. Jesus welcomed it and answered it Himself. As we close this week of family worship, look at the pattern we're being invited into. We are found by Jesus. We follow Him. And then we bring others. Jesus even promised Nathanael he would "see greater things." That promise still stands. The Jesus who called Philip and Nathanael is calling our family too. And there are greater things ahead for everyone who follows Him.
Around the Table
Nathanael wasn't sure about Jesus. But when he came and saw, he said, "You're the Son of God!" Jesus is so worth coming to see.
Let's do it: Sing or say together, "We have found the Messiah! Jesus is the Son of God!"
Philip didn't win an argument. He just said, "Come and see." Jesus did the rest. We can invite people and then trust Jesus.
Let's talk: Nathanael had a real doubt. How did Jesus treat his question, gently or harshly?
Jesus knew Nathanael before they ever met. He knows each of us completely, and He still says, "Follow Me." That's worth following.
Let's go deeper: What "greater things" do you think Jesus might have for someone who follows Him with their whole life?
💬 Conversation Starter
Has anyone ever surprised you by knowing something about you they couldn't have known?— Jesus did that to Nathanael, and it changed his life.
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Jesus answered Nathanael's doubt. He didn't scold him. He gave him proof he couldn't deny. Following Jesus has never meant silencing your questions. It means bringing them to the One who can actually answer them ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
Today closes the week, so make it a celebration as much as a lesson. Recite together. Retell the whole chain of . There was the Lamb, then "Follow Me," then "come and see," then "we have found the Messiah." Let the kids name what stood out to them. And hold on to how Jesus handled Nathanael's doubt. He drew near. He proved Himself. He invited. That's the posture for your home with doubting kids in the years to come. Not pressure, but patient invitation, trusting the Spirit to reveal Christ. And don't miss Jesus' words, "you will see greater things." Following Jesus is not a closing door. It's an opening one. The call this whole month has been "Follow Me." And that call is just the beginning of a lifetime of greater things. Lead your family across that doorway with joy.
Draws on: Leon Morris, The Gospel According to John; Donald Whitney, Family Worship.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You for showing us Jesus. We have found the Messiah! Help us follow Him together as a family. And help us bring others to Him too. In Jesus' name, amen."
We have found the Messiah. So come, see, and follow Him.