Pray: to open your time.
Read: John 1:43-50
Consider: Some thoughts for you group
Invitation is such a key theme in the bible. For most other religions, the journey of faith is one where the individual human must ascend to reach God through things like moral behavior, meditation, or enlightenment. Jesus introduces a totally different faith paradigm: God finds us and invites us to join Him on the journey.
In the scripture we just read we see God’s strategy to change the world. Jesus finds His disciples and tells them to “follow me”. Philip is so excited by this opportunity that before leaving he finds his friend, Nathaniel, and invites him to also join Jesus. It is so simple, but so profound. The community of God is a community of invitation. As Jesus invites us, and we experience His love, grace, and power, we are then compelled to invites others to join us on the journey.
Group Questions:
- If you are a follower of Jesus, how were you “found”, meaning who invited you into your faith journey, perhaps it was a friend, a pastor, or a family member? If you’re not a follower of Jesus, have you ever experienced someone who welcomed you or invited you to join them in a project or journey? How did that feel to be invited?
- What might God be inviting you into right now? It could be a step of faith, or to pray for someone, or to join a community group. Is there anything you sense God might be nudging your toward? Share that with the group.
- Is there anyone in your life who God might be asking you to invite into this journey of faith? It could be a co-worker, a friend, or a neighbor. Take a moment to ask God who might be that person to invite into your life or your community. Share with the group if there is anyone that comes to mind.
Closing Prayer:
Spend some time praying for one another. Ask if anyone has prayer request for the week ahead and pray for those who feel prompted to invite others into their life and/or community.