As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4.18-22
Extended Reading Matthew 4: 12-25
If you haven’t read what we are doing yet, CHECK THIS OUT FIRST.
Now, over the next four days here is the invitation for you and your MC. Slowly meditate on this story using the following prompts. Read the text, but also let it read you. Spend unhurried time with Jesus letting him work this story down into your heart and see what he may be inviting you into as his disciple today. This is not an exhaustive list, but a few prompts to help you get started as you sit with this story throughout the week.
READ
The first things we want to encourage you to do is to Read the text. Spend time with the words of God and let them work their way into your heart.
Read the text daily. Maybe even mix up reading and listening to it.
A great practice is to write it in your own handwriting as the act of writing helps you remember!
EXAMINE
Spend time with the text and work through it. If it’s a story notice the characters, tension and the plot. If it’s a verse notice the words. If it’s a chapter or passage, notice the themes, follow the logic. If it’s poetry, what are the metaphors, stanzas, and imagery?
What words, phrases, or characters stand out to you?
What do you see about this story and the other callings God gives to other in the Bible?
How would you retell this story in your own words?
Do you have any lingering questions that come to mind when you meditate on this text?
APPLY
The text was written to people who are very different than us, but it was written for us as well. How does this part of Scripture have implications for your life or context?
Is there a behavior you sense Jesus wants you to stop or start?
An implication for your business, family, roommates, or private life?
Is Jesus speaking something for you to do as you follow him this week?
Who else can you share this story with?
DO
So that thing that you feel called to do- do it. Actually follow through on the invitations or calls to repentance that Jesus is offering you through the kindness of his Spirit. We encourage you to make this a community project and invite others to hold you accountable to what the Spirit is inviting you into!
Who will help you stay accountable to doing what Jesus invited you into?
Further Study:
Read: Fishers of Men and the New Exodus by Dr. Scott Osborne