See also our Guidelines for a weekly Bible study including suggestions for adapting it to your context.
Begin with an opening prayer
Holy God, we gather to worship you in all of your glory.
Fill this place with your Holy Spirit and help us
to see more of who you really are.
Come, meet us and prepare us to do your will. Amen
Read the passage
Consider different ways to read the text. For example, hearing it in more than one version of the Bible.
In an online group, you could share parts between those present, or use/adapt this week’s Share the Word suggestion: Use the Jump to this week's menu on the right to go to Share the Word and scroll down to find the Gospel reading.
Explore and respond to the text
Start by reading the Bible notes below. You may want to read them more than once, or pause after each paragraph to reflect on what you have read.
Bible notes
This episode falls hot on the heels of the healing of Simon’s mother-in-law at Capernaum. One can easily imagine the confusion and disruption caused by Jesus, who appears and does two miraculous things in quick succession and then, without much commentary, asks that Simon Peter follows him to catch people instead of fish. The response of Simon Peter and his colleagues to this call is shown by Luke to be the correct one. This call marks the next major phase of the story as Jesus gathers followers ‘who will listen to his teaching and witness his mighty acts and thus become qualified to teach and act with authority themselves’.1
Not only does Simon Peter witness and understand Jesus’ ministry and person, he also correctly identifies himself as a sinner. Even though the fishermen catch nothing at night, when they would most likely have succeeded, they still acknowledge the worth of Jesus’ words as one who speaks with authority above the ordinary man. Simon Peter acknowledges Jesus as ‘Lord’ just as Elizabeth had also (1:43). As a result, Simon Peter abandons security and certainty to follow Jesus – as tradition has it, all the way to his own cross.
1 John T Carroll, Luke: A Commentary, WJK, 2012, p.124
See also: Scripture in context: Mission and teaching
 |
Who is Jesus? |
Reflection
Spend a few moments thinking about what stands out for you from the Bible reading. This idea may help.
Simon Peter was a fisherman. Jesus told him that he would continue to fish, but for people. Peter was used to planning out a day’s catch of fish; now he was planning where to go and how to reach people. Similarly, can we give thought to how we can best meet people and to help them to see Jesus. If Jesus is going to encounter our friends and family in their workplaces or their homes, it will surely be through us!
Questions for reflection
You may wish to use these questions and the picture to help you think about or discuss issues arising from this week’s Bible passage.
First impressions
You could also use the image and following questions to help introduce the theme.
 |
Click on the image to view a larger version |
Questions
- What stops us following Jesus’ call on our lives?
- Is there something you feel you are being called to now?
- How can you encourage others to follow their call?
A simple activity
Who do you trust?
Explore whose instructions to follow
You will need: images of public figures, e.g. politicians, judges, emergency services personnel, lawyers, ministers, teachers and an image of Jesus.
Place the images at the front of your space or project them on a screen, but hold back the image of Jesus. Ask people to imagine that each of these people is giving them instructions. How far would they trust them? They should give a number from 1-10, with 1 being not at all, and 10 meaning they would follow the instructions without question. Ask people why they have given their scores.
Then show the image of Jesus. Don’t ask for a spoken response but give space for people to think about what Jesus has asked them to do. How will they respond?
Use the Jump to this week's menu on the right to go to more activities in Explore and respond.
Prayer
Adapt to your local context.
Refrain: We thank you, God, with all our hearts:
we bow down and praise your name.
We thank you that you nurture our faith, helping us to believe
and to live out our lives through your calling to us: (refrain)
We thank you for your constant love and faithfulness: (refrain)
We thank you that you hear us, answer us and strengthen us: (refrain)
We thank you for your promises and your care: (refrain)
We thank you that we cannot hide from you
and for the assurance that you are always with us: (refrain)
Amen.
Use the Jump to this week's menu on the right to find more prayers,
including up-to-date intercessions.
A prayer to end the Bible study
Almighty God, you have given us a fresh glimpse
of your glory and majesty.
We are not worthy to walk with you,
but you have made us clean.
Send us out, in the power of your Holy Spirit,
to speak your words and to show your love.
Amen.
Go with God 24/7
Encourage everyone to put their faith into action.
Make a note of all the people you have conversations with this week, and pray that God would draw them into his kingdom.
Encourage everyone to explore their faith this week with the Thrive resource.