Jesus Calls His Disciples

1. Jesus Calls His Disciples February 1

2. Think About It … • What is your favorite “fish story”? • Here's one you would remember … • Today we look at people who were fishermen and Jesus called them to become “fishers of men.”

3. Listen for a great “fish story” that would be told in the future. Luke 5:4-11 (NIV) When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch." [5] Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." [6] When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. …

4. Listen for a great “fish story” that would be told in the future. …[11] he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, [10] and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners. … Matthew 4:19-20 (NIV) "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." [20] At once they left their nets and followed him.

5. Change of Focus • Why would Simon Peter tend to reject Jesus’ fishing advice? • What might have been different kinds of responses to the giant catch that day? • Jesus called them to follow Him. How risky was it for Peter, Andrew, James, and John to drop everything (jobs and families) to go with Jesus?

6. Change of Focus • How do you think you might have responded had you been fishing with these men and heard Jesus direct this challenge to you? • According to the culture of that day • a prospective student would choose a rabbi with whom to study • similar to a young person choosing a university or a course of study

7. Change of Focus • This was different • Jesus was the one doing the choosing • He initiated the call to these fishermen • Here was an opportunity to study with a remarkable teacher • With that in mind, what thoughts do you think were racing through their minds as they headed off down the beach with Jesus?

8. Change of Focus • What kinds of things should we be “leaving behind” to follow Christ today? • How does a person go about becoming a “fisher of men”? • Note how Jesus changes their focus … • Instead of gathering fish into a net • They would be gathering men and women into the kingdom of God

9. Change of Vocation • What past misdeeds would disqualify someone from holding the job you now have? • Listen for Jesus’ call of someone most people would write off as disqualified.

10. Listen for Jesus’ call of someone who was considered disqualified. Matthew 9:9-12 (NIV) As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

11. Change of Vocation • Why might this be a surprise choice by Jesus? • Why do you think such a person would respond positively to Jesus invitation and leave his old vocation behind?

12. Change of Vocation • Consider that Jesus purposefully called an undesirable person to follow Him. • a man who needed salvation • a man who needed his life turned around (not just a change of focus) • and … he had connections to even more people whose lives needed changed • What kinds of situations might exist in even a respectable job where a new believer would feel he or she could not stay?

13. Listen for response of the religious leaders to Jesus actions. Matthew 9:10-13 (NIV) While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. [11] When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"

14. Listen for response of the religious leaders to Jesus actions. [12] On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. [13] But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

15. Change in Relating to Others • What did the Pharisees think of Jesus’ attendance at Matthew’s social function? • What do you think people would say if you associated with a “wild crowd” in order to be a witness for Christ? • What was Jesus response to the Pharisees’ disapproval?

16. Change in Relating to Others • How do you think people might react if several gang members or street people attended our church this Sunday? • What will happen if we never reach out to those undesirables outside the church?  Jesus’ call to us is to change how we relate to others.

17. Application • Consider some of the qualities needed to fish successfully • Patience • Being still and listening • Perseverance • An eye for the right moment • Knowing the right bait to use  Ask God for help to demonstrate these qualities in your witness • These are also qualities that help you become a “fisher” of people

18. Application • Jesus, the Savior, has come looking for you … He has called you. Ask Him this week how you might need to • Change your focus • Change your career goals • Change the way you relate to others around you

19. Application • Jesus used the current occupations of His disciples as a way to call them. What they did related to what He wanted them to become. • Ask God to help you see how you can be an influence for the Kingdom of God in your vocation right now • What skills do you have that could be used to point others to Jesus? • What settings exist in your workplace that enable you to be salt and light to unbelievers?

20. Jesus Calls His Disciples February 1