Gospel Sparks Join the beta

Come and See

Nathanael’s honest skepticism meets Philip’s three-word invitation, and we practice sharing the gospel the way real missionaries do

  • 🏔️ Youth 16–18
  • Week 3
  • 📅 Sunday, January 17, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Jesus Christ is the eternal Word and the Light of the world, and the best way for anyone, including me, to know Him is to accept and extend the invitation to “come and see.”

I can come to know Jesus Christ for myself and invite others to “come and see” with a simple testimony instead of an argument.

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

John opens his Gospel before Bethlehem, “in the beginning.” Jesus Christ is the Word who was with God, by whom all things were made, and whose life is the light of men (John 1:1–5). The Joseph Smith Translation of John 1:1 adds that in the beginning the gospel was preached through the Son. Moses 1:32–33 teaches the same truth: God created worlds without number by His Only Begotten. For 16- to 18-year-olds, this is adult doctrine worth slowing down for: the Jesus they read about in the Gospels is the premortal Jehovah and Creator, who “was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), and who gives those who receive Him “power to become the sons of God” (John 1:12; see also Mosiah 5:7).

The second half of John 1 is a chain of invitations. John the Baptist points to Jesus as “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29, 36). Two of John’s disciples follow; Jesus turns and asks, “What seek ye?”, and when they ask where He lives, He says, “Come and see” (John 1:38–39). One of them, Andrew, first finds his own brother Simon and brings him to Jesus, who renames him Cephas, a stone (John 1:40–42). Philip then finds Nathanael, who is skeptical: “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip doesn’t argue. He says, “Come and see” (John 1:45–46).

Nathanael’s story is perfect for youth preparing for missions and for friends who push back on their faith. His skepticism was honest, and Jesus called him “an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile” (John 1:47). When Jesus told him He had seen him under the fig tree before Philip called him, Nathanael felt known and testified, “thou art the Son of God” (John 1:48–49). Jesus promised him “greater things,” echoing Jacob’s ladder (John 1:50–51; Genesis 28:12). Notice that Philip did two things: he shared a reason (“We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write”) and an invitation. Being ready to give a reason for our hope (1 Peter 3:15) and inviting people to experience it for themselves work together.

Elder David A. Bednar’s April 2022 talk “But We Heeded Them Not” (section “Holding Fast to the Iron Rod”) connects John’s title “the Word” with the rod of iron in Lehi’s dream: holding fast to the word means holding fast to the Savior and His scriptures. It’s a good bridge to talking about personal study habits before a mission or college.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read John 1:1–14 and 1:29–51. Run the Group Chat hook out loud, let Teach Mode run the reader’s theater with youth reading the parts, read John 1:46 together, then spend the rest on the discussion. Close with your own short testimony and an invitation to “come and see.”

What to bring3 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 in one sitting. Mark the two times “come and see” appears (verses 39 and 46).
  2. Text a class member on Saturday: “Want to read Nathanael? He’s the skeptic, so you get the best lines.”
  3. Add names in the My Class tab so you can hand out roles with one tap.
  4. Think of someone who invited you to “come and see” something that strengthened your faith (a friend, a missionary, a parent). You’ll share it in the testimony.
  5. Optional: read the “Holding Fast to the Iron Rod” section of Elder Bednar’s “But We Heeded Them Not” (April 2022); you’ll read one sentence from it.

If your class is wild

  • The hook is funny on purpose. Let their long, clever comebacks run a little; the three-word answer lands better after.
  • Nathanael should be a real skeptic, not a villain. Tell your reader to play it honest, even a bit sarcastic. That’s how teens hear themselves in him.
  • Some youth have friends or siblings who have stepped away from the Church. Keep the tone loving: invitations, never pressure or guilt.
  • Prospective missionaries in the room? Hand them the practice round in the extras; they’ll love having a real skill to work on.
  • If phones drift from Gospel Library, make the drifter the class verse finder.

The 25-minute plan24 min + bonus

Bonus steps are for when you have extra time. Steps that mention Teach Mode, the Sound Board or other class games refer to the Gospel Sparks app; on the web you can play Forehead Guess and Scripture Showdown from this page.

1. Hook

The Group Chat

3 min

A realistic, funny challenge sets up the question every missionary and every teen faces: how do you answer a skeptic?

  1. SAY“Someone in your group chat just wrote: ‘Wait, you actually believe all that church stuff? Why?’ You have 30 seconds with a partner to write the perfect reply.”
  2. Have three or four pairs read their replies. Enjoy the long, clever ones.
  3. SAY“Two thousand years ago a guy named Nathanael basically posted the same thing about Jesus. His friend’s reply was three words. By the end of class you’ll know what they were and why they worked.”
🌪️ If a reply gets snarky, laugh with them, then ask: “Would that make your friend want to come closer or back away?”

Class screen: 💬 “Wait, you actually believe all that? Why?” Your reply? · 30 seconds with a partner

2. Story

Reader’s Theater: Come and See

6 min

Youth read the real words of John 1 and see a modern teen learn Philip’s way of sharing.

  1. Hand out roles (tap Roles in Teach Mode). Readers read their lines straight from John 1. You read Jesus’s words.
  2. Read or assign the narration for each scene and pause for the action cue.
  3. Tell Nathanael to play it honest: a real skeptic, not a bad guy.
  4. After the last scene, ask: “What changed Nathanael’s mind: Philip’s argument, or meeting Jesus?”
🌪️ If it gets rowdy, call “Fig tree!” and everyone freezes sitting cross-legged until you say “I saw thee.”

Class screen: 🎭 Come and See: John 1:29–51 · Readers: straight from the scriptures · Watch the skeptic

3. Scripture

Who Is He? John 1 Title Hunt

4 min

Youth practice a real study skill (hunting for titles of Christ) and meet the premortal Savior in John 1:1–14.

  1. In pairs, scan John 1:1–14, 29, 41 and 49. Say: “Find every title or description of Jesus Christ. Most wins. You have 90 seconds.”
  2. Collect the list fast: the Word, God, Creator (v. 3), Life, Light, the true Light, Only Begotten, full of grace and truth, Lamb of God, Messias/Christ, Son of God, King of Israel.
  3. SAY“John starts before Bethlehem on purpose. The Jesus you’re about to follow all year made the world” (John 1:3; Moses 1:33).
  4. Read John 1:46 together with the two-voice motions. Then ask each person to pick the one title that means the most to them right now.

Class screen: 🔍 Who is He? Hunt every title in John 1. · John 1:1–14 · 29 · 41 · 49 · 90 seconds

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: Scriptures for each pair (their own, a classroom set from the library, or Gospel Library on their phones)

  1. Read John 1:1–14 aloud slowly from your scriptures (or theirs on Gospel Library). Everyone snaps whenever they hear a title or description of Jesus Christ.
  2. Add verses 29, 41 and 49. Collect the list on the screen: the Word, Creator, Light, Only Begotten, Lamb of God, Messias, Son of God, King of Israel.
  3. SAY“John starts before Bethlehem on purpose. The Jesus you’re about to follow all year made the world” (John 1:3; Moses 1:33).
  4. Read John 1:46 together with the two-voice motions. Ask each person to pick the title that means the most to them right now.
4. Wiggle break

Reason + Invitation

2 min

A stand-up sorting game shows that Philip gave a reason and an invitation, never an attack.

  1. Everyone stands. Say: “I’ll read a reply to a skeptical friend. Arms wide if it invites. Arms crossed if it argues. Hands on head if it does both well, like Philip.”
  2. Read: “Here are 14 links proving you wrong.” · “Want to come to the service project Wednesday?” · “You just don’t get it.” · “I’ve felt peace when I pray about it. Want to read one chapter with me and see what you think?” · “Honestly, I don’t know that answer, but I know Jesus changed my family. Come to my brother’s homecoming talk.”
  3. SAY“Philip did both: a reason (John 1:45) and an invitation (John 1:46). Peter later said to always be ready to give a reason for your hope (1 Peter 3:15). Reason plus invitation.”

Class screen: 🙌 Invite, argue, or both like Philip? · Arms wide = invite · Arms crossed = argue · Hands on head = reason + invitation

5. Talk it over

Seekers, Skeptics and Missionaries

4 min

An honest conversation about coming to Christ yourself and inviting others, now and on a mission.

  1. Ask one question at a time. Wait ten seconds before anyone answers. Share your own answer too.
  2. Before the last question, read Elder Bednar’s sentence about holding fast to the word (it’s in this lesson’s conference quote).
💬 Ask the class
  • Jesus’s first words in John are a question: “What seek ye?” If He asked you that today, what would you honestly say?
  • Nathanael was a skeptic, and Jesus praised his honesty. How should we treat friends who have honest doubts, including our own?
  • Nathanael was moved because Jesus knew him “under the fig tree.” When have you felt known by the Savior?
  • Andrew went first to his own brother. Who is the “brother” you could invite to “come and see” something this month?
  • Elder Bednar taught that Jesus is the Word and the scriptures are the word. What would holding fast, not just clinging, look like in your study habits before a mission or college?

Class screen: 💬 “What seek ye?” Jesus’s first question in John.

6. Game

Lightning Showdown

3 min

A fast team quiz locks in the people and titles of John 1.

  1. Split into two teams and pick captains. Tap Scripture Showdown.
  2. Play as many questions as fit in three minutes. Huddle five seconds; only the captain answers.
  3. Steal rule: if a team misses, the other team can steal by naming the verse.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: ⚡ Lightning Showdown: John 1 in three minutes

7. Game

Invitation Speed Round

6 minBONUS

A bonus missionary-prep drill: practice a one-sentence testimony plus an invitation.

  1. Hand out cards. Each person writes one honest sentence of testimony and one real invitation they could give this month (an activity, a chapter, sacrament meeting, a service project).
  2. Pair up. One partner plays a friend asking a real question (“Why don’t you drink?” “Why go on a mission?”); the other answers with the sentence plus the invitation in 20 seconds.
  3. Switch partners every minute. Afterward ask: “Which invitation felt most natural? Who could you actually give it to?”

Class screen: ⏱️ One honest sentence plus one real invitation. 20 seconds. · Reason + invitation · Switch every minute

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: Index cards or slips of paper, one per person, and a few pens

  1. Give everyone 30 seconds to think of one honest sentence of testimony and one real invitation they could give this month.
  2. Pair up. One partner plays a friend asking a real question; the other answers with the sentence plus the invitation in 20 seconds. Use the Big Timer.
  3. Switch partners every minute. Ask: “Which invitation felt most natural? Who could you actually give it to?”
8. Game

Forehead Guess: John 1

4 minBONUS

A fun bonus round if you have time.

  1. Tap Forehead Guess. One volunteer holds your phone or tablet to their forehead; the class gives clues without saying the word.
  2. Tilt down for got it, up to pass. 45-second turns; switch guessers.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess: John 1 edition

9. Testimony

Testimony: Someone Said “Come and See”

2 min

End quiet, with a personal witness and one real invitation to extend this week.

  1. Lower your voice. In a minute or less, tell about someone who invited you to “come and see” and what you found.
  2. SAY“You can’t make anyone believe. You can open a door, and let the Savior do what He did for Nathanael.”
  3. Introduce the challenge on the screen.
  4. Invite a youth to offer the closing prayer.

Class screen: 🚪 You can’t make anyone believe. You can say “Come and see.” · John 1:46

Story drama

Come and See

John 1:19–51 ↗

Parts to hand out

  • NarratorReads the setup of each scene in a calm, documentary voice.
  • John the BaptistReads John 1:23 and points at the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 36).
  • AndrewFollows Jesus, then runs to find his brother; reads John 1:41.
  • Simon PeterGets brought to Jesus and receives a new name, Cephas, a stone.
  • PhilipReads John 1:45 and answers the skeptic with “Come and see.”
  • NathanaelThe honest skeptic: reads John 1:46, 48 and 49, sitting under an imaginary fig tree.
  • EliA 17-year-old in our own day whose teammate asks a hard question; speaks in scenes 1 and 9.
  • SamEli’s skeptical teammate; asks the question in scene 1 and answers the invitation in scene 9.

Scenes

  1. 🏀❓ A teammate asks Eli a question he can’t dodge

    After practice, Eli’s teammate Sam sees the seminary app on his phone. “Wait, you actually believe all that? Why?” Eli’s mind races through every argument he’s ever heard. He says nothing useful and feels awful about it all week.

    🎬 Sam reads his question. Eli opens his mouth, closes it, and shrugs. Everyone groans in sympathy.

  2. 🏞️🗣️ “Who art thou?” “Not the Christ. A voice.”

    By the Jordan River, leaders from Jerusalem ask John the Baptist who he is. He is clear: not the Christ, not the one they’re waiting for. He is a voice crying in the wilderness, getting people ready for Someone greater.

    🎬 John the Baptist reads John 1:23. Everyone whispers: “Prepare… the way.”

  3. 🐑👉 “Behold the Lamb of God!”

    The next day John sees Jesus walking by and points Him out to two of his own disciples: there is the Lamb of God. John isn’t trying to keep followers for himself. He sends them straight to the Savior, and they follow.

    🎬 John the Baptist points across the room and reads John 1:36. Andrew and one friend start following.

  4. 🏠👀 “What seek ye?” “Come and see.”

    Jesus turns and asks them what they are looking for. They ask where He is staying. He doesn’t give them a lecture. He invites them to come and see, and they spend the rest of the day with Him.

    🎬 The teacher reads Jesus’s words from John 1:38–39 (no youth voices Jesus). Andrew and his friend follow and sit down, listening.

  5. 🏃🪨 Andrew first finds his own brother

    The first thing Andrew does is find his brother Simon and tell him they have found the Messiah. He brings Simon to Jesus, who looks at him and gives him a new name: Cephas, a stone. Simon will grow into that name.

    🎬 Andrew jogs to Simon Peter and reads John 1:41, then walks him over. The teacher reads John 1:42. Simon Peter stands tall like a rock.

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

    Jesus calls Philip, and Philip finds his friend Nathanael: we found the one Moses and the prophets wrote about, Jesus of Nazareth. Nathanael is not impressed. Nazareth? Philip could argue. Instead he gives the simplest answer possible.

    🎬 Philip reads John 1:45. Nathanael reads the first half of John 1:46 with full skepticism. Philip, calmly: “Come and see.”

  7. 🌳💡 “Whence knowest thou me?”

    As Nathanael walks up, Jesus says here is an honest man with no guile in him. Nathanael is startled: how do You know me? Jesus says He saw him under the fig tree before Philip ever called. Whatever Nathanael was doing there, the Savior had seen it.

    🎬 The teacher reads John 1:47. Nathanael reads John 1:48 (his question). The teacher reads Jesus’s answer. Nathanael freezes, stunned.

  8. 👑✨ The skeptic testifies, and hears “greater things”

    Nathanael goes from “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” to “Thou art the Son of God” in minutes. Jesus tells him this is only the start: he will see greater things, even heaven opened.

    🎬 Nathanael reads John 1:49 standing tall. The teacher reads John 1:50. Everyone looks up.

  9. 📱🤝 Eli tries again with three words

    A week later Sam brings it up again. This time Eli doesn’t try to win. He says what he honestly knows in one sentence and invites Sam to the youth service project on Wednesday. Sam shrugs, “Sure.” Eli can’t make Sam believe, but he can open the door.

    🎬 Eli says: “I’ve felt it’s true, and I can’t explain it all. Come and see.” Sam: “Okay. What time?”

Key verse

John 1:46 ↗
“And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.”
In plain words: Nathanael asked, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip didn’t argue; he said, “Come and see for yourself.”
🙌 Two voices: half the room is Nathanael (arms crossed, eyebrow raised) and reads the question; the other half is Philip (open hand, beckoning) and answers “Come and see.” Switch sides and repeat.

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 the world began, Jesus Christ, the Word, was there with the Father, and He was divine.
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 receives Jesus and believes in Him gets power from Him to become God’s sons and daughters.
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: John saw Jesus and said: There He is, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.
John 1:48 ↗
“Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.”
In plain words: Nathanael asked, “How do You know me?” Jesus said, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip ever called you.”

Forehead Guess words16 words

  • 📖 The Word
  • 💡 Light
  • 🐑 Lamb of God
  • 🌊 John the Baptist
  • 🏃 Andrew
  • 🪨 Simon Peter
  • 👉 Philip
  • 🙄 Nathanael
  • 🌳 Fig Tree
  • 🏘️ Nazareth
  • ✨ Messias
  • 👀 Come and See
  • 🌍 Creator
  • 🧳 Missionary
  • 🪜 Ladder
  • 🏞️ Jordan River
Clues for each word
  • The Word: John’s first title for Jesus
  • Light: Shines in darkness (John 1:5)
  • Lamb of God: What John the Baptist called Jesus
  • John the Baptist: A voice crying in the wilderness
  • Andrew: First found his own brother
  • Simon Peter: Renamed Cephas, a stone
  • Philip: Answered a skeptic with three words
  • Nathanael: Asked if anything good came from Nazareth
  • Fig Tree: Where Jesus saw Nathanael
  • Nazareth: Jesus’s hometown, doubted by Nathanael
  • Messias: Means the Christ (John 1:41)
  • Come and See: Invitation that shows up twice in John 1
  • Creator: All things were made by Him
  • Missionary: Someone whose whole job is “come and see”
  • Ladder: Angels ascending and descending (John 1:51)
  • Jordan River: Where John was baptizing
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown9 questions

  1. What title does John use for Jesus in John 1:1?
    • A. The Word
    • B. The Rock
    • C. The Shepherd
    Show answer

    ✅ A. The Word “In the beginning was the Word.” Jesus was with God before the world was made.

  2. According to John 1:3, what was made by Jesus Christ?
    • A. Only the temple
    • B. The law of Moses
    • C. All things
    Show answer

    ✅ C. All things He is the Creator. Moses 1:33 says worlds without number were created by the Son.

  3. What did John the Baptist call Jesus when he saw Him?
    • A. The King of the Jews
    • B. The Lamb of God
    • C. The Son of David
    Show answer

    ✅ B. The Lamb of God John 1:29, 36: the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

  4. What were Jesus’s first recorded words in John’s Gospel?
    • A. “What seek ye?”
    • B. “Follow me”
    • C. “Repent ye”
    Show answer

    ✅ A. “What seek ye?” John 1:38. Then He invited them to “come and see.”

  5. Who did Andrew go find first?
    • A. Philip
    • B. His brother Simon
    • C. John the Baptist
    Show answer

    ✅ B. His brother Simon John 1:41: “We have found the Messias.”

  6. What new name did Jesus give Simon?
    • A. Barnabas
    • B. Boanerges
    • C. Cephas, meaning a stone
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Cephas, meaning a stone John 1:42. A stone is strong and steady, and Peter became a leader of the Church.

  7. How did Philip answer Nathanael’s skeptical question?
    • A. “Come and see”
    • B. “Just believe me”
    • C. “Read the prophets”
    Show answer

    ✅ A. “Come and see” John 1:46. No argument, just an invitation.

  8. Where had Jesus seen Nathanael before Philip called him?
    • A. At the temple
    • B. Under the fig tree
    • C. By the Jordan River
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Under the fig tree John 1:48. Nathanael felt known and testified that Jesus was the Son of God.

  9. John 1:12: those who receive Jesus get power to become what?
    • A. Kings and priests
    • B. Prophets
    • C. The sons of God
    Show answer

    ✅ C. The sons of God Sons and daughters of God, born of God (John 1:12–13; Mosiah 5:7).

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

From general conference

“Please note that the ability to resist the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary is promised to those individuals who “hold fast to” rather than merely “cling to” the word of God.”

— Elder David A. Bednar, “But We Heeded Them Not,” April 2022

Read in the discussion, before the last question about study habits.

Read the talk ↗

Songs

  • Come, Follow Me Hymns, no. 116

    The invitation Jesus kept giving, starting in John 1. Find it ↗

  • Called to Serve Hymns, no. 249

    For future missionaries learning to invite others to “come and see.” Find it ↗

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

    Like Nathanael, a testimony you can give in one breath. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

One Door This Week

Answer Jesus’s question “What seek ye?” in a private note. Then write your one honest sentence of testimony and give one real “come and see” invitation this week: an activity, a service project, sacrament meeting, or reading a chapter together. No pressure, no arguing. Just open the door.

Text the parents

Today in class we studied John 1: Jesus Christ is the Word and Creator, and when Nathanael doubted, his friend Philip simply said, “Come and see” (John 1:46). We practiced sharing a one-sentence testimony plus an invitation, like missionaries do. Ask your youth: “Who might you invite to ‘come and see’ this week, and how can our family help?”

📝 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?

🔦 Light in the Dark · 4 min

  1. Turn off the lights (or close the blinds) and turn on one phone flashlight.
  2. Read John 1:4–9. Ask: “Why is light a good word for the Savior? What does it mean that the darkness ‘comprehended it not’?”
  3. Ask: “John the Baptist ‘was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.’ How is that like a missionary’s job, or yours?”

🌱 Power to Become · 5 min

  1. Read John 1:11–13 together, then Romans 8:16–17 and Mosiah 5:7.
  2. Explain: we are all spirit children of God, and through Jesus Christ and our covenants we are also born of God and can become like our Heavenly Father.
  3. Ask: “How does being born of God connect to baptism now and to the endowment in the temple later?”

🪜 Greater Things · 4 min

  1. Read John 1:50–51 and Genesis 28:12 (Jacob’s ladder).
  2. Ask: “Jesus promised Nathanael he’d see greater things. What ‘greater things’ has the Lord shown you since you first believed?”
  3. Invite youth to write one in their scriptures margin next to John 1:50.

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.

All Youth 16–18 lessons