Video EBlast for the weekend of July 21, 2018

The Real Truth Found Around the Sea of Galilee

Fishing for People

This week, while you meet with your Faith Formation Group you may want to reflect on our Scripture passage by reading Matthew 4:12-13, 17-20 (printed below) and discuss the questions as a way to begin a conversation. 

   

Matt. 4:12    When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. ¹³ He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 

Matt. 4:17    From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” 

Matt. 4:18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. ¹⁹ Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” ²⁰ And they left their nets at once and followed him.

Questions for Consideration:

1. From this beginning text in Matthew we find that Jesus begins his ministry around the Sea of Galilee. Discuss some ideas of why Jesus may have begun and lived out most of his three year ministry in this out-of-the-way place? As we begin new ministries where do we need to spend out time and effort?
2. The main theme of this passage is the calling of Simon Peter and his brother Andrew. Do you believe it is significant that two of Jesus’ first Disciples are fishermen? Would Jesus have done a better job if he had recruited people who were more learned? 
3. Last week we looked at the idea that the call that was given to Peter and Andrew is a call to all people today, to become both followers of Jesus and makers of disciples. How has Christ called you to both follow him and to give witness to him?
4. What needs to be happening in your life to continue to grow in your discipleship and in your witnessing to your faith?

As you meet this week, we encourage you to also take time to open yourselves up as a group and dialog on the following Wesley Challenge question:  Am I defeated in any part of my life? (Pages 63-66 in The Wesley Challenge)