Lesson 3: Philip and Nathaniel.
Passage: John 1:43-51 - When Jesus went to Galilee, he found Philip and called him to follow him. Philip went and told his friend Nathaniel that he had found the Messiah written about in the Scriptures, Jesus of Nazareth. Nathaniel was surprised to hear that anything good could come from Nazareth, a small and unimportant town. When Nathaniel came to meet Jesus, Jesus spoke as if he already knew Nathaniel, saying "Here is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit." When Jesus told Nathaniel that he saw him sitting under a fig tree earlier, Nathaniel believed that Jesus really was the Messiah and Son of God, but Jesus told them that that they would see even greater things than that.
Big Idea: Jesus reveals who God is.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we are going to be learning about another one of Jesus’ followers. So far we’ve learned about Peter who was a fisherman, and about Matthew who was a tax collector. We learned from Peter that Jesus calls his followers to share Jesus’ message of love with others, and we learned from Matthew that Jesus accepts everyone no matter who they are or what they’ve done in their life, even if they’ve made mistakes.
Today we’re going to learn about a guy named Philip who thought he knew a lot about God, but Jesus taught him even more. Let’s watch the video to find out more about Philip’s story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Before Philip and his friend Nathaniel met Jesus, they thought they knew a lot about God and the Bible, right? Why do you think they thought they knew a lot already?
Do you think you can know someone better by reading about them or by meeting them and talking to them in real life?
What do you think is something new that Jesus’ followers learned about God because of him?
How does it make you feel to know that God wants to be friends with you too? What are some ways that we can grow closer to God?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for what we learned today about the disciple Philip and his friend Nathaniel, and how Jesus taught them so much more about you just by being with them and showing them what you’re really like. Thank you that we learn from Jesus how much you love and care about us, and wants to have a friendship with us. Please help us to also want to grow closer to you, to learn more about you, and talk to you through prayer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Torn Paper Landscape Craft — Activity Leader
Children will rip and glue layers of paper to create a desert/brush landscape of Jesus’ hometown (Nazareth).
Additional activity - colour world map and place star stickers on Calgary and Nazareth to understand where they are in the world.
If a child is not interested in the craft, allow them to move into free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
-
Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we are going to be learning about another one of Jesus’ followers. So far we’ve learned about Peter who was a fisherman, and about Matthew who was a tax collector. We learned from Peter that Jesus calls his followers to share Jesus’ message of love with others, and we learned from Matthew that Jesus accepts everyone no matter who they are or what they’ve done in their life, even if they’ve made mistakes.
Today we’re going to learn about a guy named Philip who thought he knew a lot about God, but Jesus taught him even more. Let’s watch the video to find out more about Philip’s story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Before Philip and his friend Nathaniel met Jesus, they thought they knew a lot about God and the Bible, right? Why do you think they thought they knew a lot already?
Do you think you can know someone better by reading about them or by meeting them and talking to them in real life?
What do you think is something new that Jesus’ followers learned about God because of him?
How does it make you feel to know that God wants to be friends with you too? What are some ways that we can grow closer to God?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for what we learned today about the disciple Philip and his friend Nathaniel, and how Jesus taught them so much more about you just by being with them and showing them what you’re really like. Thank you that we learn from Jesus how much you love and care about us, and wants to have a friendship with us. Please help us to also want to grow closer to you, to learn more about you, and talk to you through prayer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Torn Paper Landscape Craft — Activity Leader
Children will rip and glue layers of paper to create a desert/brush landscape of Jesus’ hometown (Nazareth).
Additional activity - colour world map and place star stickers on Calgary and Nazareth to understand where they are in the world.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Introduce yourself and welcome the kids to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is our third week talking about the Followers of Jesus.
Does anyone remember who we learned about in the first two weeks?
What were Peter and Matthew’s jobs before they met Jesus?
What did we learn from Peter’s story about what Jesus calls his followers to do? (To be fishers of men)
What was something we learned from Matthew’s story about what God is like? (That God accepts, welcomes and calls everyone to follow him no matter who they are or what they’ve done)
Today we’ll be learning about a third follower of Jesus. Let’s watch the video to find out who it is…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember what Nathaniel said when he heard that Jesus was from Nazareth? Why do you think he thought that?
What do you think it tells us about Jesus that he would be associated with a small town like Nazareth?
Can anyone remember, from the video, what story Philip mentioned as something that Jesus did that meant a lot to him? (The story of when Jesus fed the huge crowd of 5000 with just a few loves of bread and fish)
What do you think that miracle would have taught Jesus’ followers about God and about Jesus? (That God loves and has compassion for people and for their needs; and that Jesus has the power of God to make miracles happen)
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story of Philip and Nathaniel, and how we learn that Jesus came to earth to teach us something about who you are and what you are like. Thank you that through Jesus we can see how much you love and care for us, that you would come in the flesh, and that you wouldn’t think of yourself as too good to come down to our level and be with us and show your love in a way that we can see and feel - like how you fed the crowd of 5000. Please help us to be able to recognize the ways that you show up in our lives as well, caring for our needs, and showing your love and concern for us. And help us to stay open to learning more about you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Torn Paper Landscape Craft — Activity Leader
Children will rip and glue layers of paper to create a desert/brush landscape of Jesus’ hometown (Nazareth).
Additional activity - colour world map and place star stickers on Calgary and Nazareth to understand where they are in the world.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Philip and Nathaniel were pretty smart guys, who knew a lot about the Bible before they met Jesus, right? But do you think they learned more about God from the Bible or from being with Jesus? Why?
What were some ways that Jesus showed God’s love when he was on earth?
Do you think that Jesus was actually God as a human being? Why do you think God would want to come to earth as a human? Maybe to show how much God loves us and wants a friendship with us?
What are some ways that you can feel God’s love in your life?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
When Philip and Nathaniel met Jesus, did they already know a lot about God and the Bible? How?
Even though they already knew a lot, do you think that Jesus still surprised them and taught them new things about God? Like what?
Do you think that Jesus was actually God as a human being? Why do you think God would want to come to earth as a human? Maybe to show how much God loves us and wants a friendship with us?
What are some ways that you can feel God’s love in your life?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Do you think that Philip and Nathaniel knew a lot about God before they met Jesus? How?
Do you think that you can learn more about someone by reading about them or by meeting and getting to know them personally? Do you think that’s what it was like for Jesus’ disciples to get to spend time with him? How so?
What do you think were some things that Jesus taught his followers about God through his life and actions?
