Sunday January 26th following our annual congregational meeting we will have a covered dish luncheon to honor and say thank you to Nancy Nunns and Edith Allen for their many years of service to this congregation.
Scripture
Matthew 4:12-23
12 Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. 13 And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: 15 "The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles- 16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned." 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.
Questions for Reflection
- 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 were Simon and Andrew doing when Jesus approached them? (4:18)
- What exactly did Jesus say to Simon and Andrew? (4:19)
- How long did Simon and Andrew deliberate over Jesus’ offer? (4:20)
- 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?
- What thoughts do you think were racing through their minds as they headed off down the beach 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?
