14. Hanging w/ Jesus
14. Hanging w/ Jesus
{Picture Above} Is a depiction of John resting in Jesus from [John 13:23] “Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.”
[John 1:38]
“Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What are you seeking?”
We have to learn how to spend time with Jesus intimately. For when you hang with him in this way, he is going to speak to you. Can you imagine him speaking to you now, “what do you want me to do for you?” Let’s follow along in this part of John and hear the ways he spoke to the disciples then and see if we can hear how he speaks to us now and see if we can make the connection between spending time with him and hearing his voice.
“Come and see” (John 1:39)
There is no other way to really know Jesus than to come and see for your self. Studying about someone or hearing about that person won’t give you intimate knowledge about that person. Job in the old testimony made this mistake and repented of it. “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”[Job 42:5-6]. Even Phillip, one of the first disciples Jesus called, told his best friend to “come and see” for himself, that Jesus was the Son of God.
““Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.”
(John 1:46)
And once you experience Jesus and get to know him, you will want others to do the same. Once Phillip encountered Jesus everything made sense, he is who the prophets spoke about, game over. He went right to his best friend Nathanael, who of course doubted Jesus, until he encountered him. But when you hang with Jesus you will begin to hear truth, affirmation and identity spoken over you.
“When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”” (John 1:47)
Nathanael encounter truth and affirmation in the presence of Jesus. He was seen and valued by Jesus and I want to suggest to you his identity was formed from this encounter forward because of spending time with the Son of God.
““How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”” (John 1:48)
Do you believe Jesus sees you? Imagine what he might say about you. Record in your journal the truth, affirmation and identify that Jesus speaks over you and you discipline your life around “Hanging with Jesus”.
Scripture Reference:
Read Acts 4:
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.”
Acts 4:12-14
Discussion Questions:
- Are you spending intimate time with Jesus? Why or why not?
- Have you encountered Jesus in such a way that you are telling other people about him? Explain.
- Do you believe that Jesus sees you? What does he see in you? Maybe ask your group to see you like Jesus.
- Do you believe Jesus speaks truth, affirmation, and identity over you?
- Take a moment and spend time with Jesus and record what he is speaking over you. Read the assignment section for more instruction.
Assignment:
Write a letter from God to you and be prepared to read it to your Group.
God is Speaking. Are we listening? From the moment He spoke the Universe into existence until now, God hasn’t stopped speaking to His people. We want you to have an opportunity to practice hearing what it is the Father might be saying to you through His Spirit. For all who have accepted Christ, His Spirit lives inside of us and speaks. In order to practice listening to God’s voice, we are going to do a simple exercise. Each of you will write a letter to yourselves from God, using your imagination to capture what you think He may want to say to you. Here are some thoughts to help you get started:
- God is speaking to you by name, so start there. It’s powerful to hear the living God calls us by name
- He sees you right now where you are, you pain, struggles, joys and hurts. So allow him to speak to those places.
- He doesn’t speak to you according to your failure, but according to your victory as an overcomer in Christ.
- He uncovers lies in your life and speaks truth. You are not a failure you are loved.
- He speaks prophetically over your life. I will be victorious in your life, I will conquer sin and death in your life.
- He has a plan and purpose for your life. Plans to bless you not to harm you. Plans for a future and a hope.
- He asks you to be strong and very courage’s and that he will be with you and never leave you. You are not alone