Prayer: Jesus, we praise you for the wondrous ways that you reveal yourself to us. Please help us to recognize the invitations to follow you and to faithfully invite others to join in on the journey. In Your name, Amen.
Reading: John 1: 43-51 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: When I read this passage, there are a few little phrases that stick out to me: “Follow me,” “Come and see,” and “You will see greater things than that.” These phrases are like little invitations for Philip and Nathanael to follow Jesus and to look for the coming wonders of the kingdom together. The phrases acted like a trail of dominoes- first Jesus sought out and invited Philip, then Philip did the same for Nathanael, and Jesus personally invited Nathanael as well. Jesus works through words and actions of His children (the trail of dominoes) to invite everyone to follow him and become part of this never-ending movement. We are currently in the church season of Epiphany, and in Greek, Epiphany means “to reveal.” Throughout the New Testament are stories of Jesus revealing himself as the Son of God in wondrous ways- including in this passage. In our lives we will receive invitations to more revelations than we will most likely recognize. The more recognizable ones may look like an invite to a church, a bible study, a retreat, or even an invite to a week at camp. And only God knows what the unrecognizable ones will look like! But I know that God still reveals himself and his Son to us in wondrous ways because I have seen many at Mount Luther. So act as a part of God’s domino-like movement- accept an invite or two this year and give out numerous because God wants everyone to be invited to his “revelation parties”! --Anne Harshbarger
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