*Andrew’s story is told throughout the Gospels
Who is Andrew?
-
Background
- Brother of Simon Peter
- A fisherman by trade
- Lived in Bethsaida and Capernaum
-
Disciple of John the Baptist
- Initially a follower of John before meeting Jesus
-
One of the First Disciples
- One of the first to follow Jesus
Strengths and Accomplishments
-
Early Adopter
- Quickly recognized Jesus as the Messiah and followed Him
- Brought his brother, Peter, to Jesus
-
Evangelistic Heart
- Consistently introduced people to Jesus, like the young boy with the loaves and fish
-
Loyal
- Stuck by Jesus through thick and thin, including some really tough times
-
Role in the Early Church
- Active in the early days of the Christian church
- Mentioned in the Book of Acts, implying a leadership role
Weaknesses and Mistakes
-
Overshadowed
- Often in the shadow of his more outspoken and impulsive brother, Peter
-
Limited Spotlight in Scripture
- Not much is said about him, so we don’t get to see a full picture of his weaknesses and strengths
-
Less Prominent Role
- Didn’t play as pivotal a role as some other disciples in the New Testament narratives
Lessons from His Life
-
Faith Can Start Small
- Andrew shows us that even a simple introduction to Jesus can have a monumental impact
-
Everyone Has a Role
- You don’t have to be the “star” to make a difference in God’s kingdom
-
Loyalty Matters
- Consistent dedication and faithfulness can go a long way in any endeavor, religious or otherwise
Key Verses (NIV)
-
John 1:40-42
- Andrew meets Jesus and immediately tells his brother Peter about Him.
-
John 6:8-9
- Andrew brings the boy with the loaves and fish to Jesus, leading to the miraculous feeding of 5,000 people.
-
John 12:22
- Andrew and Philip tell Jesus about some Greeks who want to see Him, showing Andrew’s role as an intermediary.