FOUR PATHS OF DISCIPLESHIP FOR 2026
John 1:35-51
Introduction
The new year is a time of contemplation, resolve, and renewal. Henry Ward Beecher said, “Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. …”
I’m in the Planet Fitness Facebook group and every year there is talk about the January crowd! The gym is packed with people with new shoes, new water bottles … but by Valentine's Day the parking lot is empty. Resolutions without a specific path are bound to fail.
In John chapter 1, we meet men who weren't looking for a self-improvement program; they were looking for a Person. Jesus asks them, "What do you want?" He’s asking us the same thing at the start of 2026. If you want a life that actually changes—not just for January, but for eternity—you don't need a resolution; you need a path.
Today, we’re looking at four paths taken by the very first people to ever follow Jesus.
1. CULTIVATE A CONNECTION (1:38-39)
John 1:38-39 "Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, 'What do you want?' They said, 'Rabbi' (which means 'Teacher'), 'Where are you staying?'
'Come,' he replied, 'and you will see.' So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon."
The first words of Jesus in John’s Gospel get to the point: “What do you want?”
What do people seek when they follow Jesus? What do you want from Jesus in your life? The answer of the fishermen sounds odd to us. "Where do you live?” They wanted more time with Jesus - not just information. Jesus issues the invitation: “Come and See."
Discipleship begins with a desire to know where Jesus dwells and to spend time with him. Listening to Jesus is more than just collecting information. Henri Nouwen’s prayer captures this idea: "Lord, give me a sense of who you are. Some people say this about you, other people say that about you, but I want a real sense of who you are for myself.”
Are we making time to listen to Jesus? It won’t just happen. Some have suggested a “First 15” challenge! Before you check the news or email (the world’s voice), spend 15 minutes in the Word or prayer (Jesus' voice). Set the tone of the day by giving the beginning of your day to the power of proximity!
2. CARRY AN INVITATION (1:40-41)
John 1:40-41 "Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what
John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, 'We have found the Messiah' (that is, the Christ)."
What John had said was back in verse 36: "When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, 'Look, the Lamb of God!'”
Andrew is not known for sermons, debates, or intrusive evangelism techniques - but for bringing people to Jesus. (Peter, the boy with loaves, Greeks who wanted to see Jesus) Andrew is the quiet servant, the one you wouldn’t notice. He is a great example for us in bringing others to Jesus.
Most people still come to Christ through friendship and personal invitation—“Come and see”—not through programs alone. We talk about what means the most to us! If we will share a great restaurant or show, we can also invite someone to see what Jesus is doing in our lives.
Who is one person you are already having coffee with or watching a game with? Don't ask them to "convert"; just invite them to "come and see" the worship service or join in with a service activity. You don't need a theology degree to be an Andrew; you just need a story to tell and a “Come and See” on your lips.
Andrew brought his family and friends. How can you use your gifts to reach others in the coming year?
3. BE CONFIDENT IN CHANGE (1:42-43)
1:42 Andrew brought his brother Simon to Jesus. "Jesus looked at him and said, 'You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas' (which, when translated, is Peter)."
So often there is a gap between what we think disciples ought to be and where were are right now. Peter and Philip together illustrate how Jesus grows disciples over time.
Peter. We know a lot more about him mostly because he is the first one to speak up in brash pronouncements! Except here! Jesus took one look at Simon and gave him a new name: Simon - his Jewish given name, Cephas - Aramaic for stone, Peter - a Greek name—the Man of Rock. Simon Peter appears as anything but a rock. He is impulsive, volatile, and unreliable. Jesus doesn't call us based on what we are, but on what He can make us become
1:43 "The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, 'Follow me.'"
Philip. Jesus seeks out Philip and calls him. Only John tells us anything about Philip. Leon Morris's tongue-in-cheek comment that in these texts Philip seems "a little out of his depth." Philip is hesitant in most situations:
- When faced with feeding 5000, he is hesitant to believe Jesus could make it happen. His only thought is that even with a lot of money they could not feed the multitude.
- When the Greeks came to him asking to see Jesus he did not know what to do and he hesitates, asking Andrew before bringing them to Jesus (12:21-22).
-It was Philip in the upper room asking to be shown the Father—and that is all we ask! (14:8-9)
Both Peter and Philip had plenty of room to grow. As they followed Jesus they did grow! Never discount the work of Christ in your life to help you become the Christian you desire to be. Rick Warren pointed out: "When God wants to make a mushroom, he takes 60 hours. When he wants to make an oak tree, he takes 60 years. Which do you want to be?"?
4. COMMIT TO THE COURSE (1:45-51)
John 1:45-48 "Philip found Nathanael and told him, 'We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.' 'Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?' Nathanael asked. 'Come and see,' said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, 'Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.'
'How do you know me?' Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, 'I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.'
Nothing is recorded of Nathanael other than this incident and his presence among the fishermen in John 21:2, but Jesus offers a high regard for him —"an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” In verse 51, Jesus says, "Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”
Some believe that Jesus is playing on Jacob's name/character - Jacob was a deceiver whose name was changed to Israel. "Look, Israel without a trace of Jacob left in him!” It was Jacob who had a dream like Jesus describes here. But unlike Jacob, Nathaneal is 'without deceit'. Quite a compliment.
Once overcoming his skepticism, Nathaneal confesses his faith (vs 48):
-"Rabbi" - which he did not use at first
-”Son of God" - acknowledging Jesus' divine nature
-”King of Israel" - Nathanael is speaking in the highest terms available to him, confessing Jesus as Messiah
Nathaneal is the first person in John's Gospel who is said to believe in Jesus, and he is the first to receive a promise from Christ: "You will see greater things than these.”
Remember John's Gospel Purpose John 20:30-31: “…that by believing you may have life in his name.”
If you have questions or doubts about your faith, don't hide them—study the Scriptures! Your time in the Word is time with Jesus. Commit to the course of discipleship in your life - giving Jesus honor and praise!
Conclusion
Like the first disciples: cultivate a connection, carry an invitation, be confident in change, commit to the course.
2. You might think you’re an unlikely disciple; you’re in good company.
3. What are your next steps today?
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BIBLE CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. John mentioned Henry Ward Beecher’s quote about being "born
again" every January 1st. Why is the "fresh start" of the Gospel
more powerful than a typical New Year’s resolution??
2. When the disciples asked "Where are You staying?" they were
really asking for relationship, not just information. What's the
difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus??
3. What is the biggest "noise" in your daily life that makes it hard to
hear the voice of Jesus? How can we practically "mute" that noise
this week??
4. Andrew wasn't a preacher like Peter; he was a "bringer." In what
ways does it take the pressure off to realize that "evangelism" is
often just saying "come and see" rather than having all the
answers? Why don't we invite people to "come and see" Jesus
more often??
5. Jesus changed Simon's name to Peter (Rock) the very first time
they met—even though Peter was anything but rock-solid. What
does this tell us about how Jesus sees us versus how we see
ourselves??
6. Philip seems hesitant and uncertain in most of the Gospel
accounts. Why do you think Jesus specifically sought him out and
called him? What does this say about Jesus' patience with our
doubts??
7. Nathanael’s first response was skepticism: "Can anything good
come from Nazareth?" How should we handle our own doubts or
"prejudices" when we come across something in Scripture that we
don't like or understand?
8. Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. Why does God choose "unlikely"
people? What does this tell us about His values versus the world's
values? How does knowing the original disciples were unlikely
encourage you??
?Next Week: Wedding at Cana - John 2:1-11
