Jesus set out to call a small band of men as His disciples. Jesus spent a great deal of time investing in these men. This was part of His strategy. Jesus was not concerned about programs that might reach the multitude. Instead, He focused on investing in the men whom the multitudes would one day follow and be taught by. It was these men who would take over His work and spread the gospel to all people. They would also be the men who bore witness in Jerusalem after Jesus’ death and resurrection, establishing the value of following Jesus regardless of persecution and trials.
Bible: Read Luke 5:1-11 together with your family.
Family Activity:
Teaching Time: 15 minutes
Materials: stick or dowel, scissors, string, small magnet, paper clips, paper, marker
Find a stick or buy a dowel rod to make a fishing pole. Cut a string about 4 inches longer than the pole. Tie the string to one end of the pole. Attach the magnet to the other end of the string. You can tie the string around it or glue the magnet to the string with hot glue. Cut out fish shapes from paper. On each fish, write the name of someone who does not know Jesus. These could be friends, family members, or unreached people groups. Place a paper clip on each fish. Spread the fish out on the floor. Take turns “catching” fish with your magnetic fishing pole. When you catch a fish, pray that the person named on the fish would come to know Jesus.
Discuss:
- Read Matthew 4:19. What does Jesus call them to do before he promises to make them fishers of men? What does it cost to follow Jesus?
- What does it mean to be fishers of men? What does this look like in everyday life?
Pray:
Pray that the person named on the fish would come to know Jesus.
