The Fishers of Men 

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:18-22

  Jesus' design was to cultivate a new community. This new community would have at it's core disciples or students. A disciple in this new community would both identify and learn from his King-Teacher.
  In this section of scripture we learn that Jesus first called Peter and Andrew, and followed with James and John. These four made up the inner circle of the disciples. They were ordinary men, individuals who were strong, but not the bravest or the easiest to work with. Peter was impetuous and willful. Andrew was unpolished but helpful, James and John were aspiring and called the "sons of thunder". Yet they were willing to be transformed. First to identify and then become heralds of the King-Teacher, creating a new community of fellow disciples.
  There was obviously something captivating and convincing about the teaching of Jesus that called these men to follow. Jesus was moving these men from their occupation as fishermen, to acknowledge their vocation of being disciples. Unlike other rabbis of the time, He called them not just to be students of the Torah, but also heralds of the Gospel of the Kingdom. It was not unusual for itinerant rabbis to walk the countryside and have students sit at their feet. Our King-Teacher was announcing something new. That His students would not just be scholars, but would be foundational in ushering in the Kingdom of Heaven as fishers of this new community.

Discussion:

1. After reading Matthew 4:18-22 read John 1:35-51 for more context of the calling of the disciples.

2. In John's account what are the qualities of the Messiah that attracted the disciples? What were the qualities of the disciples that are pointed out?

3. Would you have chosen these particular disciples? Why would you, or why not?

4. Point out the qualities of character in your fellow study group, participants that you admire.

5. Identify some unique qualities we need to be fishers of men.

6. How do we invite others to become disciples?

7. Read John 21 and relate this to the need for a full commitment to the calling Jesus has called us to.

Discover Section

  To discover I am a disciple of the King means there is still unfinished business. The mission is not only to evangelize, to catch fish, but to disciple, to feed the sheep. Do we understand the depth of this calling? The question that Jesus asked Peter in John 21 is our question also. It goes to the depth of our heart, "Do you love Me more than these?" Do we love the King unselfishly and unconditionally more than we care for fishing and all it's trappings, or anything else? Our answer will ring with Peter's, a resounding, "Yes"! But words are not enough, for there is a mission. New believers are to be nurtured. The lambs need to be fed. May we discover that we will faithfully obey the mission that our King has presented to us.