Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor
Meaning: Jesus Christ, Anointed Son of God, Savior
The “people of the fish” were:
Faithful to
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd…
22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him…
32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear…
36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” – Acts 2:14, 22-24, 32-33, 36
The message was bold, contextual, and called people to action:
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” – Acts 2:37-39
Our application question: Can I the message of Jesus with you?
Intentional in
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles…
46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts… – Acts 2:42-43, 46
Our application question: Would you like to ?
Strategic in
All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. – Acts 2:44-45
Our application question: What do you ?
Humble in the face of
…praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. – Acts 2:47
Our application question: How can we ?
Application
Are we truly people ?
Small Group Questions
- How do you handle hot weather (grumpy; love it; love it until it makes you grumpy)? What’s your favorite way to cool off?
- What’s your response when you see a fish symbol on the back of a car? Are you critical, suspicious, judgmental, or do you see that person as family? Have you ever had the fish symbol on your car? Why or why not?
- Read Peter’s message from Acts 2 out loud. What is the core truth that captures your heart?
- Read the description of the original church from Acts 2:42-47. In what ways are you doing the what the original church did? What are you missing, and how could that change this summer?
- How are you intentional in sharing what you have with other people? Why is this a powerful tool in sharing the love of Jesus?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?
“A ship is always safe at the shore, but that’s not what it was built for.”
“The greatest risk is not taking any risks at all.”
— UNKOWN
Luke 5:1-11
1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
What is Jesus truly trying to do in this moment?
- Get people’s attention
- Show his power
- Set the table for people to take a risk
Luke 5:12-13
12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What risk is God inviting me to take?
- Am I willing?
Small Group Questions
- Are you naturally a risk taker or a risk avoider?
- In what area of your life do you need to be reminded that God is more than able?
- What’s one thing you do just because God says so?
- What risk is God inviting you to take?
- Are you willing?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?
“A ship is always safe at the shore, but that’s not what it was built for.”
“The greatest risk is not taking any risks at all.”
— UNKOWN
Luke 5:1-11
1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
What is Jesus truly trying to do in this moment?
- Get people’s
- Show his
- Set the table for people to
Luke 5:12-13
12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What is God inviting me to take?
- Am I ?
Small Group Questions
- Are you naturally a risk taker or a risk avoider?
- In what area of your life do you need to be reminded that God is more than able?
- What’s one thing you do just because God says so?
- What risk is God inviting you to take?
- Are you willing?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?
Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor
A Harmony of the Gospels
When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. Luke 9:10–11
As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” Matthew 14:15–16
Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” John 6:7–8
Common Approaches to an Impossible Situation
The Approach
The request: You give them something to eat!
The reality: We have nothing!
The Approach
This is not my problem — “This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Matthew 14:15
The Approach
This doesn’t pencil out — Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” John 6:8
The Approach
There’s not enough — “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?” John 6:9
An Uncommon Approach to an Impossible Situation
The approach
Another Harmony of the Gospels
“How many loaves do you have? Mark 6:38
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:17–21
Jesus’ response in the face of an impossible situation:
What do you have? (Mark 6:38)
Bring them to me (Matthew 14:18)
God will use both and is available to create his miracle!
Note: Jesus distributed the blessing through the availability of his followers.
Watch God
Enjoy the
A Miraculous Promise
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20–21
Small Group Questions
- What’s one attribute about your mom that you can honor?
- Have you ever witnessed a miracle? What happened?
- Go back and read the miracle of the Feeding of the 5000 from John 6. Which approach do you believe you would have chosen in the face of so much need?
- What is God teaching you about trust and faith through this story?
- Read the promise of Ephesians 3:20–21. In what area of your life are you asking God to apply this promise right now?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?
Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor
Matthew 17:24–27
24 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
25 “Yes, he does,” he replied.
When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”
26 “From others,” Peter answered.
“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 27 “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”
- Jesus is God, and he’s always . (verse 25)
2. Your with God matters. (verse 26)
3. Pick your battles and be . (verse 27)
4. . (verse 27)
5. The bill is ! (verse 27)
Small Group Questions
- What do you do for fun in the summer?
- Read the scripture again. What is God speaking to you right now?
- How has God shown you that he is always one step ahead in your life?
- How can you practice being unoffendable? What battles are worth fighting?
- Have you ever covered someone else’s bill for something? What motivated you to cover someone else’s cost?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?
GRANT FISHBOOK, LEAD TEACHING PASTOR
Mark 1:16-20
16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him.
19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
How does fishing for people actually work?
Acts 3:1-10
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
But what I do have, I give you…
What do you have to offer?
The story of
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. – 1 Peter 2:24-25
The story of Jesus , which was always meant to be
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes… – Romans 1:16
Your
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience… –1 Peter 3:15-16a
Your prayerful
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” – Matthew 9:36-38
Here am I Lord, send me. – Isaiah 6:8
Following Jesus includes sharing your faith.
At some point, your love has to include and !
Small Group Questions
- What’s your favorite spring activity? Why?
- Read the story in Acts 3. What is God teaching you about sharing your faith from this story?
- Have you ever shared your faith with someone who didn’t know Jesus? What happened? If not, what keeps you from sharing about Jesus?
- How did you come to faith in Jesus? Share the story of your salvation.
- Who do you know that needs Jesus? Would you start praying for an opportunity to share with them, right now? Ask God for the opportunity to share and the boldness to take the step.
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?
Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor
Matthew 4:18-22
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.
God before he
“Religion is man searching for god,
but Christianity is God searching for man.”
JON TYSON
God speaks
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. – Psalm 119:13–14
It’s not the clothes you wear that make you a fisherman, it’s the fact that you !
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. – 2 Corinthians 9:6
Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. – Ecclesiastes 11:6
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. – Galatians 6:7
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20
Small Group Questions
- Who in your life makes you feel particularly seen and loved? What do they do that makes you feel that way?
- Is making people feel seen something you do naturally or something that takes effort for you? What’s one thing you can do in your daily interactions that would add value to the people in your life?
- What stands out to you when you read Matthew 28:18-20? In your most honest assessment of yourself, is this an idea or a reality in your life?
- What would it look like for you to be more intentional about being a fisher of men? What does that look like in your workplace, school, or family? With your lifestyle?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?
Josh Lease, Student Ministries Pastor
John 21:1-3
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
In Peter’s confusion and shame, he returns to .
John 21:4
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
If Jesus stood on the shore of your life, would you have the to recognize him?
John 21:5-6
He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.”
Luke 5:4-7
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon (Peter), “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
Will you try the of the boat?
John 21:7-8
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.
Luke 5:8
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”
How we respond to God tells us a lot about .
John 21:9-11
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.
John 18:18 (ESV)
Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
If you never get off the boat, you won’t have the chance to .
John 21:12-13
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish.
Jesus’ invitation to you: .
At breakfast, Peter’s hunger for redemption was by the charcoal fire.
Small Group Questions
- It seems like people either love fishing or hate it. How about you?
- What do you think are some barriers that keep you from recognizing Jesus in your life on a daily basis?
- How do you respond to God when you experience shame? Do you run close to him? Do you create distance between yourself and him? What does this tell you about who you think he is?
- How might Jesus be inviting you to draw close and “have breakfast” with him? What is something tangible you can do this week to draw close to him?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?
Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor
“To be alive at all is to have .”
John Steinbeck
The Story of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ MATTHEW 28:1–7
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
An Encounter With the Risen Jesus JOHN 20:24-29
Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
I believe Jesus kept his scars for three reasons:
1. The scars of Jesus tell a story of
For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:17–18
2. The scars of Jesus tell a story of
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
While [the disciples] were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. Luke 24:36-48
3. The scars of Jesus tell a story of .
Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. Revelation 5:5–6
Satan wants to define you by .
Jesus wants to define you by .
Small Group Questions
- How did you celebrate the resurrection of Jesus this year?
- Do you have a scar? What’s the story behind it?
- How do you feel about the scars on your body and heart? What healing has Jesus done on the scars of your life?
- What healing still needs to be done in your life? Is there one wound you can bring to Jesus right now that you will entrust to his good work and future healing?
- The Lamb of God is standing, covered with healed wounds at the end of the Bible. What does that mean to you?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?
Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor
On Maundy Thursday, Jesus was preparing physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
for Easter?
More than just a timeline…
Jesus awakens in Bethany (Mark 14)
Peter and John sent to prepare for the Passover (Luke 22:7–13)
Jesus walks to Jerusalem (Matthew 26:17–20)
After sunset, Jesus eats a meal with his closest friends, washes their feet and shares Communion and the New Covenant for the first time (John 13:1–17, Matt. 26:17–30)
Judas leaves and prepares to turn Jesus over to the Sanhedrin (John 13:30)
Jesus goes to the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36–46)
The disciples fall asleep (Matthew 26:40–41)
Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested (Luke 22:47)
Jesus is taken to the house of Caiaphas, the High Priest (Matthew 26:57–68)
Jesus is betrayed by Peter (Matthew 26:69–75)
The trials begin (Matthew 26:57–68)
On the brink of paying for our salvation, Jesus chooses:
with close friends
Embracing all that will become
—not my will, but yours be done.
Question:
What are you choosing this Holy Week?
Small Group Questions
- Are you more of a “plan every detail” type or “play it by ear” type?
- How do you prepare for a moment in your life that you know will include a large investment of emotion and energy?
- Read the timeline and the scriptures? What is God saying to you about the way Jesus approached Holy Thursday?
- Which of the choices Jesus made (listed above) do you need to make this week to make sure you fully embrace Easter?
- What’s one part of your life you can do without (remove, eliminate, shift, postpone) during Holy Week so that you can fully focus on Jesus and His journey to the cross?
- How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?