Gathering

1. Consider the last time your name was called to join a project outside your comfort zone.

Describe the team you’d be joining. What was the lure that got you to sign up?

Backstory

Jesus began his itinerant teaching ministry in synagogues in the Galilee region. He wound up at the synagogue of his hometown of Nazareth, where he was booted out for provocative teaching. Jesus saw himself as the Messiah promised by Isaiah and that the God of Abraham was impartial, welcoming Gentiles as well as Jews.  He escapes the attempt of Jewish leaders to throw him off a cliff at Nazareth. That was all recorded in Luke 4. We pick up the story at the Sea of Galilee (aka Sea of Tiberias or Lake Gennesaret).  It is thirteen miles long by eight miles wide. He is among Gentiles, Roman soldiers, slaves, other foreigners, and Jews. Nine townships surround this water body. Each township had more than 15,000 people. He begins the disciple search, inviting others to come and see what He (Jesus) will make of them.

God’s Story

Have someone read aloud Luke 5: 1-11.

Finding My Story in God’s Story

2. As you are mending your nets and minding your own business, suddenly this teacher hijacks your boat as a platform so he can better command the attention of his audience. Your reaction?

  • “Hey, you can’t do that! Who do you think you are?”
  • “Hey, that boat is ours, wait your turn, I’ll take you out later.”
  • He must have special authority. Who else takes over like that?
  • Hey, what’s the buzz? Tell me what’s-a-happening.
  • Other __________.

3. As Peter, you overhear Jesus speaking to the crowd and wait for him to finish. What do you make of this guy’s teaching at first?

  • He must be a prophet whom God sent to reach the world.
  • He’s the long-awaited Messiah, but too long-winded for my taste.
  • He’s a blasphemer who pretends to be speaking God’s word.
  • He’s a beachcomber hustling to make a quick buck.
  • Other __________.

4. As Jesus, you finish teaching and approach Peter, what do you make of this fisherman?

  • Must be a nice enough guy to let me borrow his boat.
  • I see him potentially fishing for people instead of fish.
  • He seems self-aware and teachable.
  • Let’s see what he does when I throw him a line.
  • Other __________.

5. When Jesus tells Peter to go back out once more after a night of catching no fish, what do you suppose Peter thinks of this guy’s line?

  • “Are you serious? You know nothing about fishing!”
  • “Well, I guess it won’t hurt to try again. Let’s see what he knows.”
  • “How dumb does he think I am? I don’t want to look stupid.”
  • “If you know so much, here are my nets, try it yourself!”
  • Other __________.

6. As Jesus, you’ve just left the familiar surroundings of your hometown, where you’re known yet rejected. You’re about to ask strangers to follow you. Why would you do that?

  • I want to share God’s love with the least, the last, and the lost.
  • I’m looking to remake my team in my image.
  • I figure fishers of fish will make good fishers of people.
  • There is no better way to get the attention of these fishermen.
  • Other __________.

7. After the miracle catch of fish proved too much for one boat, what do you think Peter was then thinking about Jesus?

  • WOW, this guy knows fishing, so let’s make him a partner in our business.
  • If he knows my livelihood, he must know even more about my life.
  • I will forsake my livelihood and buy into whatever this guy has to offer.
  • This guy has a divine superpower, so I must repent of my __________.
  • I feel so unworthy, I don’t know what I can say to this Master.
  • Other __________.

8. Peter felt so unworthy, astonished, afraid—in awe of a divine presence—that he could only fall on his knees and confess sin. When have you felt that way? What was the precipitating factor?

Our Story

9. After you and your buddies have regathered your fish, your nets, and your wits—now what? What tall tale or fish story do you tell each other about this day once you get home?

  • It’s all about my brothers as I could not have hauled it all by myself.
  • It’s all about the many meals of fish sticks and bowls of fish chowder.
  • No one will believe what really happened today, so I’ll make up something.
  • I invite others to jump on the “Jesus bandwagon” and take this show on the road.
  • Other __________.

10. Share with one another any “fishing lessons” (and more!) that Jesus has taught you today, as if you were in Peter’s sandals. But be mindful that Jesus embraces you with open arms of love and does not point fingers in condemnation of any specific sins.

11. What next steps will you take to “drop your nets” and follow Jesus?

  • Because it gets in the way, I will stop ______________ in order to follow Jesus.
  • Because it will help along the way, I will start ______________ to follow him.

12. Close by praying a BRIEF sentence prayer for the guy on your left to be guided and provided for in the next steps just shared.