NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Bible Studies For Life curriculum.
Bible Passage: Luke 5:1-11
Discussion Question:
— When has following Jesus required you to leave something behind?
Food for Thought by Mike Harder*
Jesus boarded Peter’s boat to teach the crowd gathered to hear Him speak. Peter had a front-row seat. As he listened, he heard about living by faith instead of religious observance. Peter began to understand that Jesus wanted him to trust Him. Jesus was calling Peter out of religion and into a relationship founded on faith.
Jesus told Peter to let down his nets into the water. Peter was hesitant because he had worked all night and caught nothing. He could have denied Jesus’ request. And yet, Peter obeyed Jesus, and the nets filled to the brim with fish. Obeying Jesus, Peter witnessed a miracle. He didn’t know what would happen when he let down the nets, but he acted in faith that Jesus was worthy of obedience. As a result, he experienced God’s power.
So many fish were caught that the boat began to sink. Peter’s fishing partners arrived to rescue him, but soon both boats were so full of fish that they were in peril of sinking. Everyone was amazed; Peter was afraid.
As Peter recognized Who Jesus truly was, he became especially mindful of his own sinfulness. Jesus invited Peter to leave his fear behind and accept a new calling as Jesus’ disciple. Peter and his friends left everything behind to follow Jesus. Faith is a life of trusting in God. It’s leaving our fear, past and sin behind, and trusting Jesus with our future.
*Mike Harder is senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Spartanburg, S.C.
Bible Studies for Life is a family of resources addressing key issues in the lives of adults, students, and kids. Visit www.biblestudiesforlife.com and use it to help you “Connect the Unconnected, Strengthen Families, and Disciple People with Wisdom.” Free session downloads are available, plus PDFs and videos that accompany this Bible study resource.
