What a Catch!

Today, I have some fishing gear with me. (Hold up the fishing gear and point out what it is used for.) Have you ever wondered why so many people like to go fishing? Raise your hand if you know someone who likes to fish. (Pause for responses.) There are many reasons why people go fishing. Some people like to eat fish, and catching fish might be less expensive than buying it at the grocery store. For others, fishing is a fun hobby. It gives them a chance to rest and relax. Some people say they don't even care if they catch any fish; they just enjoy going fishing. Do you like to go fishing? (Pause for responses.) If you’ve ever caught a fish, how did it make you feel? (Pause for responses.) 

The Bible has a lot to say about fishing. The first disciples Jesus became friends with were fishermen. They didn't fish for fun and relaxation and it wasn't a hobby. They fished because that’s how they ate and made money. Do you think they cared whether they caught any fish or not? (Pause for responses.) You’re right—they cared a lot!

Our Bible lesson today is about one of the disciples’ fishing trips. The story begins with Jesus preaching on the shore beside the Sea of Galilee. There was a huge crowd of people gathered around Him and they kept pressing closer so that they could hear Him better. Jesus noticed two empty boats at the water's edge where the fishermen were washing their nets. Jesus stepped into one of the boats and asked Simon, the boat’s owner, to move it out a little further from the shore. Then Jesus sat down in the boat and preached to the people from there.

When Jesus had finished teaching, He said to Simon, "Move on out into the deep water and let down your nets to catch some fish."

Simon answered Him, "Master, we have fished all night without catching a thing, but if You say so, I will let down my nets again." This time the nets came out of the water so full of fish that they began to break. They called for help and their fishing partners brought in another boat, and soon both boats were so full of fish that they were about to sink! 

When Simon saw what Jesus did, he was filled with awe and perhaps with fear to be in the presence of someone with so much power. He fell on his knees before Jesus.

Jesus said to him, "There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women."

When they reached the shore, they pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed Jesus.

What did Jesus mean when He told them they would be fishing for men and women? (Pause for responses.) He didn't mean that they would go out and throw a net over them. What He meant was that just as they had been bringing the fish into their boats, they would now be bringing people into the Kingdom of God. Jesus wants you and me to be fishers of people, too. That means that we will tell the people we meet about Jesus so that they can know Him and become His followers, too.

Heavenly Father, just as Jesus called His early disciples to fish for people, He has called us to tell others about His love so that we might bring them into the Kingdom. Help us to be faithful to become fishers of people. Amen.