John 1:43-51, Addendum on “Friendship Evangelism”

The first time I heard the term “Friendship Evangelism” was from Joe Aldrich, president of and sone of one of the founding fathers of Multnomah School of the Bible.  Aldrich called it “Lifestyle Evangelism.”  The idea is that “evangelism” should be carried out in the normal human relationships we have in our lives.  Let us note the pattern found in this passage.

·       FOLLOW, v43.  We must be followers of Christ in order to be involved in helping others to become followers of Christ.  Philip had followed John, who pointed people to Christ through his ministry.  Thus Philip was exactly the kind of disciples John was making: one who would turn at the first opportunity away from John and into the fellowship of Christ.

·       FIND, v45.  Phillip found Nathaniel.  What Phillip did was a copying of what Jesus did in finding Philip.  Through prayer (asking God to be at work in the lives of people around us) and seeking we will find people who need Christ.  Note: we will have to go outside our Church Family to do this!

·       ENTICE, v45.  Nathaniel’s great desire was for Messiah to come.  Philip claimed he had found the Messiah.  We need to think about this.  We know that people need Christ.  Those around us may not feel this or think this themselves.  So, part of the process is to pray that God will create this hunger in people’s lives.  We need the Spirit’s leading to know when those we pray for have come to desire Christ. 

·       INVITE, v47,50.  Philip just said, “Come and see!”  When we get to John 3:15-16 we will see that faith is defined simply as looking to Jesus, the Lamb of God, even as Israel had to look at the bronze serpent to be saved.  “Look and live!”

·       ENCOURAGE, v47,50.  Jesus encouraged Nathaniel, both before (v47) and after (v50) he believed.  Nathaniel was just at the start of this journey of faith.  In “friendship evangelism” we are not only looking at our friends as needing the One we have found, and committing to a relationship as long as necessary; we are committing to friendship after they have found that One, for as long as is possible. 

This is a challenge Jesus sets before us.  Our command (Mt. 28:19-20) is to make disciples in all nations.  This process requires “friendship” over the fence, at the barbeque, in the workplace, at school and in the community.