Watch the Bible story video or read all or parts of John 1:29-51 from the Bible.

Dear families,

New Christians may find themselves wondering, Now what? What do I do? To answer these questions, we may talk with those new believers about Bible reading, prayer, community, and mission. Though these are all good and essentials things, they alone do not capture Jesus’ initial call to His disciples. 

When Jesus first began calling disciples, He used two words: “Follow Me.” He didn’t say “Clean yourself up” or “Work harder.” He said, “Follow Me.” 

The call to follow Jesus is a call to our souls to find rest. He invites us to be with Him and enjoy Him. Jesus’ invitation is not to be amazing, to do great things, or even to get to work. Jesus’ initial invitation is to follow Him. 

Jesus has most certainly called His followers to go and do good works, but the order in which we heed His calling and instructions is vital to our spiritual health. 

It’s easy for us to get caught up in the activity of God, the work of His mission, and the effort we must engage in to grow as He desires for us; however, these are not to be first. 

God calls us to come to Him; draw near to Him; and to see a glimpse of His goodness, beauty, splendor, and grace. And it is only in seeing these realities that we will go and do faithfully. For if we seek to go and do before we come and see, we will find ourselves in a spiral of constant despair feeling like we are falling short or equally as dangerous, feeling like we must earn our way to God. 

Jesus’ call to His disciples to come and see is the same invitation that we have today. Whether we have walked with God for decades or are new to the faith, our greatest need is to draw near to God and experience His glorious grace. It is then that we will see Him for who He truly is, understand ourselves more fully, and then live faithfully for His glory.

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities.

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

• Babies & Toddlers: We are Jesus’ disciples when we trust in Him.
• Starfish: Jesus came to earth to save people from their sins. He called disciples to follow Him. We are Jesus’ disciples when we trust in Him.
• Seahorse: Jesus, the Son of God and true King of Israel, came to earth to save people from their sins. He called disciples to follow Him. We are Jesus’ disciples when we trust in Him.
• Flounder: Jesus, the Son of God and true King of Israel, came to earth to show what God is like and to save people from their sins. He called disciples to follow Him. We are Jesus’ disciples when we trust in Him. We can invite everyone to come and see the good news about Jesus.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Starfish: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead.
• Seahorse: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead.
• Flounder: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Babies & Toddlers: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
• Starfish: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
• Seahorse: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
• Flounder: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

** Next week: Jesus Came to Be the Sacrifice for Sin (Hebrews 10)

Have you ever played follow-the-leader? In the game, one person is the leader and the rest of
the group must imitate whatever actions he does first. If the leader jumps up and down, then
the group must jump up and down. If the leader clucks like a chicken, the everyone else must
also cluck like a chicken. The point of the game is to pay special attention to the leader and
mimic what he does.
Thinking about the rules of this game helps us understand what Jesus meant when He said to
the disciples, “Follow Me.” Jesus invited them to walk with Him and watch Him teach people
about the kingdom of God. Along the way, Jesus also taught them and showed them how He
is the Son of God. Then, Jesus gave them power and the task to share in the work of telling
others about the kingdom of God.
Later on, these followers of Jesus had the opportunity to tell the world the good news about
Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The small group of disciples led to hundreds of followers;
and after Jesus’ resurrection, the numbers grew into the thousands! Today, millions and even
billions of people have received the invitation to trust in Jesus and follow Him.
Jesus, the Son of God and true King of Israel, came to earth to show what God is like
and to save people from their sins. He called disciples to follow Him. We are Jesus’
disciples when we trust in Him. We can invite everyone to come and see the good news
about Jesus.
Pray: Jesus, You are the Son of God. You are the King who lived a perfect life, died as a
sacrifice for sin, and rose again as the King above all kings. You have people to trust in You
and become Your disciple. Help us to believe in that good news and to share it with the world
who needs to hear it. Amen.