{ Blog 365 #162 - Sunday School - Discipleship Lesson 2 }

 

LESSON 2
THE FISHERMEN ARE CALLED

Scripture Text: Luke 5:1-11

Last Sunday, we studied about Peter, Andrew, James, and John and their first meeting with Christ. Today, we study about their call to full-time service. Salvation is free, but discipleship costs. We pay the first payment when we are converted, and the remainder is paid in daily installments of one's property, time, and talent. What Christ required of the early disciples, He requires of us today. They forsook all.

 

MEMORY VERSE: Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers
of men. —Mark 1:17

 

Christ Demands the Use of Our Property 

Verse 3 reads, "And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's."  Christ took command of Simon's ship. Christ always takes command of all that He enters, whether it be ships, men, homes, or workplaces. What would you do if Christ suddenly entered your car or place of business? Would He
be able to take it and use it as a place to preach to others? The value of your property is determined largely by the use to which it is put. Christ's choosing Simon's ship for a pulpit caused its value to go up. By getting Simon, Christ was able to get Simon's ship as well. Find out what a man has his property dedicated to, and you will find what he is most interested in.

 

Christ Demands the Use of Our Time

"Launch out into the deep." After Christ had Simon's boat, He asked for Simon's time and energy; He asked him to man the oars. Fishing was an honorable job in Jesus' day. Jesus noticed they were busy. They showed no sign of laziness. They were robust, skillful, and courageous, but they were humiliated by failure. Thus, Jesus found them at their work and immediately called them to follow Him. He could see what they could be for Him. 

Peter had no desire to launch out again. His feelings said, "No," but his faith in Christ said, "Yes." The result was a great "draught" of "fishes."  Many men who have failed in their own strength have succeeded greatly after taking Christ as a partner.

Christ Desires the Use of Our Talents

Christ knew what He was doing when He took over Peter's ship. He came to Peter at a time of failure, and He turned failure into success. He helped Peter to see his talent to catch fish was going to be used to catch men and not fish. This brought to Peter a sense of purpose. He transformed Peter from a fisherman to a "fisher of men" (Matthew 4:19). Christ is still calling for men and women to dedicate their time, talent, and property to Him today. Who can deny Him these things?

 

JUST A THOUGHT
There is no reaching Heaven except by treading the only path that leads there.