Grades 3-4 Lesson 2

Year 1

Quarter 2

JESUS BEGINS HIS WORK

John 1:35-2:11

Lesson Aim

To show how Jesus' words and actions in His early ministry proved He was the promised Messiah.

Memory Verse

John 3:3 - "In reply Jesus declared, `I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.'"

Lesson Background

When you read and study John 1:35-2:11, it is interesting to note how Jesus deals individually with each of the disciples. Philip obeys a simple "Follow me." Andrew and John are convinced after spending an evening with Jesus. Nathanael is tougher to convince, but makes a grand confession when he realizes that Jesus knows all about him. And Jesus has wonderful words of encouragement for Peter - a man who is very much aware of his own sin and shortcomings (see Luke 5:8). Jesus also deals with each of your students as individuals, and we cannot expect them to respond to these lessons in the same way. Even the ones who are the least enthusiastic may be listening carefully. And for some, these lessons may bear fruit only after many years have passed. Let's be thankful for the promise that God's Word is powerful, life-changing, and will not return to Him empty (Isaiah 55:11).

Lesson Procedure

Begin the lesson by explaining to your students that God had promised to send a Savior - the "Messiah" - to Israel. This promise was made to Moses, David, Isaiah, and many others throughout the years. Israel was waiting for the Promised One to come. Jesus was waiting as well. For about thirty years He had been living the quiet life of a normal man, working as a carpenter. He was waiting for the time to be right to begin His work of preaching, teaching, healing - and later, dying for His people. But now the wait is over. Jesus' work is begun!

I. Jesus' First Disciples.

A. Andrew, John, and Simon Peter.

Read John 1:35-40. Explain that when John the Baptist's disciples heard him call Jesus "the Lamb of God," they knew John was saying that Jesus was the Promised One sent from God. These two disciples (believed by most scholars to be Andrew and John) quietly began to follow Jesus. Perhaps they were shy or afraid, but it is Jesus who had to make the first move. He asked them what they wanted, and invited them to spend the evening with Him. "We don't know what they talked about, but it must have been quite something, because Andrew, one of the two disciples, left Jesus convinced that He was the promised Savior!" Then read verses 40-42, and discuss how Jesus already knew about Simon, even before He met him, because as God He knows all men. He gave Simon the name "Cephas" or "Peter," which means "rock" or "stone." He knew that one day Simon Peter would become a leader in the church, a true "rock" of faith.

"The Bible says `the first thing Andrew did' was to find Peter. Do you think he was excited to tell him about Jesus? Why do you think he went to his brother first of all?" Help students to see that the news about Jesus was good news - life-changing news! - and that Andrew wanted to share it with the people he loved.

B. Philip and Nathanael.

Next read John 1:44-50. Perhaps Philip learned about Jesus from Andrew and Peter, or perhaps he met Him in a different way. He is given a direct call from the Savior to follow Him. Again, he cannot keep the good news to himself; he goes to find Nathanael. "Nathanael at first doesn't seem ready to hear about a Savior from Nazareth. Perhaps he knew that the Savior, according to the prophets, was supposed to come from Bethlehem. Or maybe he just didn't like people from Nazareth! But when he finds out what Jesus knows about him, then he is `all ears!' What did Jesus know about Nathanael before He even met him? What does Nathanael then say about Jesus? Does he now believe in Jesus? What does Jesus promise him he'll see someday as well?" Nathanael would be witness to Jesus' teaching, miracles, resurrection (John 21:2), and ascension - and of angels, too (Acts 1:10-11).

II. Jesus' First Miracle.

A. The Situation.

Read John 2:1-5. Jesus and His disciples were invited to a wedding in Galilee. Perhaps it was a relative's wedding, since Mary was there, too. Explain that weddings were quite different in Jesus' time. "The wedding feast was very important; the groom invited his guests to either his home of his parents' home for several days of feasting. Sometimes the feast lasted for a week! To run out of wine during the feast was serious; it meant you were a poor host, and was very embarrassing. Also, there would be nothing else to drink, since all they usually drank was water or wine."

Mary becomes aware of the wine shortage and seems to understand that Jesus can do something about it. She tells her son what has happened, clearly expecting Him to act. Note Jesus' response: "Jesus understands that His mother wants Him to help, but He is gently reminding her that He is not just her son. He has a work to do and a time to do it, and she must not interfere with that work. He alone will decide what needs to be done, and how to do it." [NOTE: The NIV translates Jesus' response as "dear woman;" others translate it simply "woman." Be sure to let students know this is not a disrespectful term. Perhaps Jesus used this to emphasize His relationship to Mary as her Lord rather than His familial relationship as her son, to bring home the point that she is to let go and allow Him to act on His own.] Mary seems to understand this gentle rebuke, and although she still hopes He will act, she tells the servants to "do whatever He tells you," knowing that Jesus must be allowed total control of the situation.

B. How Jesus Responds.

Read verses 6-11. Discuss with your students the quiet nature of this miracle. Jesus could have caused quite a stir by performing this first miracle more publicly. But that, of course, would have drawn attention to the lack of wine - an embarrassment to His host. As it was, only His mother, the servants, and His disciples knew what had happened.

Notice also the banquet master's response [the banquet master was something like a "best man" today, and had the responsibility of supervising the wedding feast]: "The master of the banquet says that Jesus' wine - the wine He made out of water - is the best wine of all. Jesus always gives what is best! He gives us eternal life, perfect peace, abundant joy - and so much more! No wonder His wine is the best. He does all things well!"

C. The Effect of the Miracle on His Disciples.

Read verse 11 again. The disciples saw His glory in this first miracle, and it helped them put their faith and trust completely in Him. "So we see that Jesus' words and actions made the disciples believe that He was truly God's promised Savior. Andrew and John believed that first evening when they heard Jesus speak. Nathanael believed when he found out Jesus knew all about him. And they were all even more convinced when they saw Jesus turn water into wine! This was the one that Israel was waiting for! This was God's promised Savior!"

"Do you think Jesus chose to turn the water into wine just to prove Himself to His disciples? Or do you think He cared about making the wedding feast a joyful celebration? What does this tell you about Jesus?" Lead your students to see that Jesus cares about people, and about bringing them joy. But He wants to bring them true joy - the everlasting joy that comes from knowing Him.

Conclusion

Conclude the lesson by reminding the students that Jesus' words and actions show He is the Savior for whom Israel had been waiting. His disciples saw His glory, and their faith in Him was strengthened.

Worksheet

If you have a good-sized class and some extra time, you may wish to play the "Who Am I?" game with the list of people on the worksheet. If necessary, you could add extra names to the list, like John the Baptist and the banquet master. Simply pin or tape one of the names on the back of each student. The student may not see the name on his back, although he can see the names on the others. Take each student in turn and give him three clues, one clue at a time, until he guesses the name on his back. For example, clues for the name "Peter" might be: "My brother Andrew brought me to Jesus;" "Jesus gave me a new name;" "My name means `rock' or `stone.'" After all the names are guessed, filling out the first part of the worksheet will be easy!

Related Music

"I Will Make You Fishers of Men;" "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" (Trinity Hymnal, #699).

STUDENT WORKSHEET - JESUS BEGINS HIS WORK

1. Who Am I??? Match the names below to the sentences that describe them.

Mary, Andrew, Servants, Peter, Philip, Nathanael

"My brother Andrew brought me to Jesus."

"I told Jesus that all the wine was gone."

"I told Nathanael that we had found the Promised One."

"We followed Jesus' directions and turned water into wine."

"I spent an evening with Jesus that changed my life."

"Jesus knew all about me even before we met."

2. What if . . . you were one of the servants at the wedding, and Jesus asked you to serve wine out of water jugs; what would you be thinking?

How would you feel after the banquet master said it was the best wine of all?

Would it be hard for you to keep the miracle a secret?

MEMORY VERSE

John 3:3 - "In reply Jesus declared, `I tell you the truth; no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.'"