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What Seek Ye?

The eternal Word became flesh, John pointed to the Lamb of God, and seekers found the Messiah by accepting one invitation: come and see

  • 📖 Adult Sunday School
  • Week 3
  • 📅 Sunday, January 17, 2027
💡 The big idea

Jesus Christ is the eternal Word and the Light that darkness cannot overcome. We come to know Him the way His first disciples did: by bringing our real questions, accepting His invitation to “come and see,” and then inviting others to do the same.

I can bring my honest questions to the Savior, spend time where He is, and give someone else a simple, sincere invitation to “come and see.”

Study it yourself firstRead John 1 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (John 1)
Know the chapters

John doesn’t begin with a manger. He begins “In the beginning,” in John 1:1. Jesus Christ is the Word who was with God. In 1:3, “all things were made” by Him. In 1:4, His life “was the light of men.” The Joseph Smith Translation of John 1:1 is in the Bible appendix. It adds that in the beginning the gospel was preached through the Son. Moses 1:32–33 teaches that God created worlds without number by His Only Begotten. Then in 1:14 the Creator “was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” The Greek word behind “dwelt” suggests pitching a tent. It recalls the tabernacle where God dwelt among Israel. In 1:12, to all who receive Him, He gives “power to become the sons of God.”

John the Baptist is the chapter’s first witness. Priests and Levites from Jerusalem question him. In 1:23 he calls himself “the voice of one crying in the wilderness,” quoting Isaiah 40:3. In 1:27 he says he isn’t worthy to unloose the Savior’s shoe. When he sees Jesus, he says, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” That’s 1:29. In 1:32 he testifies that he saw the Spirit descend like a dove and stay on Him. The manual recommends Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s April 2019 talk, “Behold the Lamb of God.” It ties this title to the sacrament.

The heart of the lesson is John 1:35–51, a chain of invitations. In 1:38 Jesus’s first words in this Gospel are a question: “What seek ye?” Two of John’s disciples ask where He’s staying. In 1:39 He answers, “Come and see.” One of them, Andrew, first finds his own brother Simon. In 1:40–42 Jesus renames him Cephas, “A stone.” The other disciple is unnamed. Many believe it was John himself. Jesus calls Philip, and Philip finds Nathanael. Nathanael is openly skeptical: “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip doesn’t argue. In 1:45–46 he says, “Come and see.” Jesus greets Nathanael as “an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.” He says He saw him under the fig tree. In 1:47–49 Nathanael testifies, “thou art the Son of God.”

Many adults feel guilty or awkward about sharing the gospel. This chapter makes it simple. Andrew told his brother. Philip gave a friend a reason and an invitation. Keep the tone warm, not pressured. Twenty-five minutes is enough to walk through John 1 in five short readings. Use verses 1–5, 11–14, 29–33, 35–39 and 45–49. Bridge the gaps in a sentence, and ask one question after each. The Word and the Light is ready as a bonus step.

Only have 5 minutes?

Walk through John 1 in five short readings: 1:1–5, 11–14, 29–33, 35–39 and 45–49. Bridge the gaps in a sentence, and ask one question after each. Open with “What seek ye?” Slow down on “come and see” in 1:39 and 46. Spend the discussion on who invited us and whom we might invite. Close with John 1:41 and one simple “come and see” this week.

What to bring2 items

Tick what you have. Forgot something? Every step that needs a supply has a no-supplies version in the plan below.

Before class

  1. Read John 1 out loud once. Then read each scene’s one-line bridge so you can say it in your own words.
  2. Think about who first invited you to “come and see.” Think of your honest answer to “What seek ye?” If the room is quiet, you’ll go first.

Discussion tips

  • Quiet class? Wait a little longer than feels comfortable after “What seek ye?” It’s a big question. Then share your own answer first.
  • One question catches fire? Stay with it. A great discussion doesn’t cover every question. Let the rest go.
  • One voice filling every pause? Thank them warmly, then say, “Let’s hear from someone who hasn’t had a chance yet.”
  • Missionary guilt? Some people shrink when sharing the gospel comes up. Andrew talked to his brother. Philip simply said, “Come and see.” Celebrate small, sincere invitations. Never suggest a quota.
  • Honest doubters are welcome in this chapter. Nathanael said exactly what he thought. Jesus praised him as a man “in whom is no guile.” Treat sincere questions the way He did.
  • Someone asks about John 1:18, “No man hath seen God at any time”? Point to the Joseph Smith Translation and Doctrine and Covenants 67:11. No one sees God “in the flesh, except quickened by the Spirit of God.” Visitors may be here because someone said “come and see.” Welcome them. Never ask anyone to read aloud without checking first.

The 25-minute plan25 min + bonus

Bonus steps are for when you have extra time. Each “On the screen” line is what the class sees on a shared screen in Teach Mode in the Gospel Sparks app; on paper, read it aloud or write it on the board.

1. Hook

What Are You Looking For?

3 min

Opens with the Savior’s own first question in John’s Gospel, asked personally.

  1. SAY“The first words Jesus speaks in the Gospel of John are a question: ‘What seek ye?’”
  2. SAY“If He turned and asked you that this morning, what would you say?”
  3. Give them about 20 seconds of quiet. Then take two or three answers without comment. Peace, direction, forgiveness, a friend and relief are all common.
  4. SAY“Today we’ll watch a handful of seekers find the Messiah, all in one chapter. Let’s notice exactly how it happened.”

On the screen: 🔎 If Jesus turned and asked you, “What seek ye?”, what would you honestly say?

2. Story

John 1 in Five Short Readings

10 min

Walks through John 1 five verses at a time, from the eternal Word to a chain of invitations, with one question at each stop.

  1. SAY“We’ll walk through John 1 in five short readings. Listen for who points to Jesus, and how.”
  2. Show one scene at a time. You or a volunteer reads. You read the last two, where Jesus speaks.
  3. Before each reading, give the one-line bridge on the screen. Afterward, ask the scene’s question and take two or three answers.
  4. After the third reading, share Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s words from “From general conference” below.
  5. After the last reading, sum up verses 50–51. Jesus promised Nathanael “greater things,” and heaven opened.

On the screen: 👣 John 1: the Word, the Lamb, and a chain of friends who found the Messiah · Five short readings: 1:1–5 · 11–14 · 29–33 · 35–39 · 45–49

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: The shared screen (TV or device) with Teach Mode open

  1. SAY“We’ll walk through John 1 in five short readings. Listen for who points to Jesus, and how.”
  2. Read verses 1–5, 11–14, 29–33, 35–39 and 45–49. Give each bridge in your own words first. You or a volunteer reads. You read the last two.
  3. After each reading, ask the scene’s question aloud and take two or three answers. Keep each stop about two minutes.
3. Scripture

Come and See, Twice

3 min

Studies the invitation closely so class members see it is both how we come to Christ and how we bring others.

  1. SAY“Let’s slow down on three words.”
  2. Read John 1:39 while the class follows on the screen.
  3. Ask, “These words appear twice in this chapter. Who says them the second time?” It’s Philip, to a doubting friend, in verse 46.
  4. Point out “abode with him that day.” Jesus answered their question with time, not a lecture.
  5. Ask, “What does ‘come and see’ ask of the person invited?” Follow-up: “What does it ask of the one inviting?”

On the screen: 👣 “Come and see.” First Jesus said it. Then Philip said it to a friend. · John 1:39, 46

4. Talk it over

We Have Found Him

6 min

Helps adults connect the first disciples’ invitations to their own conversion and to the people they love.

  1. SAY“Andrew and Philip were brand-new disciples. The first thing they did was bring someone. Let’s talk about how that works in our lives.”
  2. Pick two or three questions. Ask one, wait, then ask its follow-up before you move on.
  3. Let silence work. Count to seven before you rescue a question. If needed, share your own experience first.
💬 Ask the class
  • Who said “come and see” to you, in words or by example? Follow-up: What did they do that made it easy to come?
  • Andrew’s first move was to find his own brother. Why can it be hardest to talk about the Savior with the people closest to us? Follow-up: When it’s gone well, what made the difference?
  • The first two disciples asked where He lived and spent the day with Him. Where do you most reliably find the Savior’s company? Follow-up: What helps you protect that time?
  • Nathanael said exactly what he doubted, and Jesus called him a man “in whom is no guile.” Why don’t honest questions frighten the Lord? Follow-up: How can we make room for them at home and in this class?
  • Jesus promised Nathanael “greater things than these.” What greater things has discipleship opened to you since you first came and saw? Follow-up: What would you tell someone standing where you started?

On the screen: 🤝 Andrew brought his brother. Philip brought his friend. Who brought you? · John 1:40–46

5. Testimony

The Messias, the Christ

3 min

Ends with testimony of Jesus Christ as the Messiah who knows each of us, and one small, concrete invitation.

  1. SAY“In verse 41, Andrew’s witness was one sentence: ‘We have found the Messias.’”
  2. SAY“Would one or two of you share when you knew you had found Him?”
  3. Bear a short testimony. Jesus Christ is the Word, the Light and the Lamb of God. He knows each of us, as He knew Nathanael.
  4. Invite: “This week, answer ‘What seek ye?’ honestly in your prayers. And give one person a simple, natural ‘come and see.’”

On the screen: 🌅 “We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.” · John 1:41 · This week: one honest prayer, one simple “come and see.”

6. Talk it over

The Light Shineth in Darkness

4 minBONUS

Returns to John 1:1–5 to see the Jesus of the invitations as the eternal Word, Creator and Light.

  1. SAY“The man who said ‘come and see’ is the Word who made all things.”
  2. Read John 1:1–5 again slowly.
  3. Ask one or two questions with follow-ups, then close on time.
💬 Ask the class
  • Why is “the Word” a fitting title for Jesus Christ? Follow-up: How has He spoken to you lately?
  • The baby in the manger was the Creator of worlds. That’s taught in Moses 1, verses 32 and 33. What difference does that make to you? Follow-up: How does that change the way you pray?
  • When has His light held for you in a dark season? Follow-up: What would you say to someone in that darkness now?

On the screen: 💡 The light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. · John 1:1–5

Read it together

Come and See

John 1:1–5; John 1:11–14; John 1:29–33; John 1:35–39; John 1:45–49 ↗

Scenes

  1. 🌌 “In the beginning was the Word”

    John doesn’t start at a manger. He starts before the world. Let’s read John 1, verses 1 to 5. Notice the word “comprehended.” The darkness never understood the light. And it never put it out.

    💬 Ask: Why do you think John began here instead of in Bethlehem? Follow-up: Where have you seen His light hold in a dark time?

  2. ⛺ The Word was made flesh

    In verses 6 to 10, John the Baptist comes to bear witness of the Light. The world was made by Him, and knew Him not. Now read verses 11 to 14. “Dwelt” can mean pitched His tent. The Creator camped among us.

    💬 Ask: Verse 12 promises power to all who receive Him. What does receiving Him look like in an ordinary week?

  3. 🐑 “Behold the Lamb of God”

    In verses 15 to 28, priests from Jerusalem ask John who he is. He says he’s only a voice in the wilderness. He’s not worthy to unloose the Savior’s shoe. Now read verses 29 to 33. John sees Him coming, and points.

    💬 Ask: Of every title John could have chosen, why “the Lamb of God”? Follow-up: What does it bring to mind at the sacrament table?

  4. ❓ “What seek ye?”

    In verse 34, John testifies, “this is the Son of God.” The next day, he points two of his own disciples to Jesus. I’ll read verses 35 to 39, since Jesus speaks. His first words here are a question.

    💬 Ask: John let his own followers walk away to follow Jesus. What does it take to point people to Him instead of to ourselves?

  5. 🌳 “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?”

    In verses 40 to 44, Andrew finds his brother Simon first. Jesus names him Cephas, a stone. Then Jesus finds Philip. I’ll read verses 45 to 49. Listen to Philip. He doesn’t argue. He just says, “Come and see.”

    💬 Ask: Nathanael’s doubt was honest, and Jesus praised him. When have you felt known by the Lord before you said a word?

Key verse

John 1:39 ↗
“He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.”
In plain words: Jesus didn’t answer with an argument or a lecture. He invited them to spend time with Him, and they stayed the rest of the day.

More verses

John 1:1 ↗
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
In plain words: Before Bethlehem, before the world, Jesus Christ was with the Father. He is the one through whom God speaks to us.
John 1:5 ↗
“And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
In plain words: Darkness never understood the Savior’s light, and it could never put it out.
John 1:29 ↗
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
In plain words: Every lamb Israel ever offered pointed to this moment. John saw the real Lamb walking toward him.
John 1:12 ↗
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
In plain words: Everyone who truly receives Jesus Christ is given power to become more like Heavenly Father, as His sons and daughters.

From general conference

“It is instructive that this long-prophesied forerunner to Jesus did not call Him “Jehovah” or “Savior” or “Redeemer” or even “the Son of God”—all of which were applicable titles.”

— Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, “Behold the Lamb of God,” April 2019

Share in the story walk-through, right after the third reading (John 1:29–33).

Read the talk ↗

Songs

  • Come, Follow Me Hymns, no. 116

    Jesus’s invitation to Philip, “Follow me” (John 1:43), is the heart of this hymn. Find it ↗

  • I Know That My Redeemer Lives Hymns, no. 136

    A hymn of personal witness, like Andrew’s “We have found the Messias.” Find it ↗

This week’s invitation

One Question, One Invitation

This week, answer the Savior’s question from John 1:38 in your prayers. “What seek ye?” Be honest. Then give one person a simple, natural “come and see.” Invite them to church, to a Come, Follow Me talk at home or to a ward activity. Or just tell them why the Savior matters to you.

Take it home

In Sunday School we read John 1. Jesus asked two seekers, “What seek ye?” Then He said, “Come and see.” That’s John 1:38–39. Andrew brought his brother, and Philip brought his friend. At dinner, ask who first invited each person to learn about Jesus. Talk about whom your family could invite to “come and see.”

📝 After class

What worked? Who needs a check-in this week? Jot it here on a printed copy, or in the app’s private class notes.

Got extra time?

🏜️ The Voice in the Wilderness · 4 min

  1. Read John 1:19–23 and 1:27, then Isaiah 40:3.
  2. Point out how fully John points away from himself. He says, “I am not the Christ.” He’s not worthy to unloose the Savior’s shoe.
  3. Ask, “What can we learn from John about pointing others to the Savior instead of to ourselves?”

🌌 Before Bethlehem · 4 min

  1. Read John 1:1–3, then Moses 1:32–33 and Moses 4:2.
  2. Ask, “What difference does it make to know the baby in the manger was the Creator of worlds?”
  3. Ask, “If you had to sum up who Jesus Christ is in one sentence of your own, what would you say?”

🪜 Greater Things · 3 min

  1. Read John 1:50–51. Then read Genesis 28:12, Jacob’s dream of angels going up and down.
  2. Ask, “Jesus told a brand-new believer he’d see ‘greater things.’ What greater things has discipleship opened to you?”

Sources

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, the Bible used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tap or click a reference to open it in Gospel Library. Start with the official Come, Follow Me manual; these ideas are here to help it come alive.

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