December 16, 2001, Hook, Line, and Sinker, Matthew 4,18-22

Hook, Lone, and Sinker⁽¹⁾

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December 16, 2001 - Matthew 4:18-22

Open It

If you could pass on some skill or knowledge to an apprentice, what would you want to pass on?
What kind of leader do you prefer to follow?
What are some examples of well-functioning teams?

Explore It

Where did these particular events take place? (4:18)
Who did Jesus see as He walked by? (4:18)
What nickname did one of Jesus' new disciples have? (4:18)
What were Simon and Andrew doing when Jesus approached them? (4:18)
What exactly did Jesus say to Simon and Andrew? (4:19)
What was Simon and Andrew's response to Jesus' words? (4:20)
Whom did Jesus see next? (4:21)
What did Jesus do when He saw the two brothers, James and John? (4:21)
How did James and John react to Jesus' challenge? (4:22)

Get It

What does it mean to be a "fisher of men"?
How risky was it for Peter, Andrew, James, and John to drop everything (jobs and families) to go with Jesus?
How do you think you might have responded had you been fishing with these men and heard Jesus direct this challenge to you?
What do you think Jesus saw in these men?
Why did Jesus handpick blue-collar fishermen to be the leaders of the Christian church?
For what would you be willing to leave your family and go far away?
What possessions, goals, dreams, or relationships are keeping you from following Jesus whole-heartedly today?
What does it mean for us to follow Jesus?

Apply It

In what area of your life will you follow Jesus more consciously this week?
What can you do or stop doing today in order to become a more expert "fisher of men"?

NOTES

Jesus told Peter and Andrew to leave their fishing business and become "fishers of men," to help others find God. Jesus was calling them away from their productive trades to be productive spiritually. We all need to fish for souls. If we practice Christ's teachings and share the gospel with others, we will be able to draw those around us to Christ like a fisherman who pulls fish into his boat with nets.

These men already knew Jesus. He had talked to Peter and Andrew previously (John 1:35-42) and had been preaching in the area. When Jesus called them, they knew what kind of man he was and were willing to follow him.

James and his brother, John, along with Peter and Andrew, were the first disciples that Jesus called to work with him. Jesus' call motivated these men to get up and leave their jobs--immediately. They didn't make excuses about why it wasn't a good time. They left at once and followed. Jesus calls each of us to follow him. When Jesus asks us to serve him, we must be like the disciples and do it at once.

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