Christ the King Community Church
Fish, Part 6: Simon Says
May 21, 2023

Fish, Part 6: Simon Says

May 21, 2023 / Brian Behrends, Creative Pastor

“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. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 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.
        
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “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.
        When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 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?

  1. Get people’s attention
  2. Show his power
  3. 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

  1. Are you naturally a risk taker or a risk avoider?
  2. In what area of your life do you need to be reminded that God is more than able?
  3. What’s one thing you do just because God says so?
  4. What risk is God inviting you to take?
  5. Are you willing?
  6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?

 

Save PDF Locally

Click to save a copy of the filled-in notes to a PDF file on your device

Save PDF to Google Drive

Click to save a copy of the filled-in notes to a PDF file on your Google Drive account

(For Apple devices, use Chrome browser or go to SETTINGS>SAFARI and uncheck BLOCK POPUPS.)