Gain deeper understanding of Jesus’ invitation to a group of fishermen to become disciples through this Bible study. Explore how His invitation applies to your life today and invite a friend to follow Jesus with you as you complete this study together.
Read about how Jesus began His disciplemaking ministry: Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11
Why do you think Jesus issued this more demanding call to on-the-job training and participation in His expanding movement?
These disciples left behind family and business to go “fishing” with Jesus. But also compare Matthew 4:18-22 and Mark 1:16-20 with Luke 5:1-11. What evidence do you find that Luke is telling of a later “calling”? Note these aspects of the reports:
If Luke’s account is of another call to “fish” for people—given after Jesus’ tour of Galilee (Matthew 4:23-25; Mark 1:35-39; Luke 4:42-44), where I think it fits—it indicates their association with Jesus was on the path of everyday life.
- The sequence:
- The disciples’ activities:
- The activities of Jesus:
- The catch of fish:
He equipped them to fish for people while at the same time they engaged in their vocations as fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. This is how disciplemaking happens today!
Reflection
What impact do you think it had for Jesus to go to the workplace of these fishermen to call them to participate in disciplemaking with Him?
What do you find most exciting—and scariest—about the invitation to participate in making disciples?
Sharing
Discuss with your friends how you are investing in others, as Jesus did.
With those you are encouraging to follow Jesus, share the idea of investing their lives in others. Who are they investing their lives in?
Content taken from Guide 17 of Following Jesus: A Year of Disciplemaking and Movement-Building in the Gospels, by Peter Roennfeldt. Copyright 2022. Published by NavPress, navpress.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved
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