“I Will Make You Fishers of Men”

Sunday, June 8th

Matthew 4:12-24

Key verse 4:19

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

Read verses 12-17.  How did Jesus fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah?  What do the phrases, “… the people living in darkness …” and “… those living in the land of the shadow of death …” say about the people of Galilee, and of this world?  What do the phrases “… have seen a great light” and “… on them a light has dawned …” tell us about what Jesus came to do?  What was Jesus’ message?

Read verses 18-20.  What were Peter and Andrew doing when Jesus saw them?  What did Jesus say to them?  What does it mean to follow Jesus and live as a fisher of men?  How did Peter and Andrew respond to Jesus’ calling?

Read verses 21-22.  Where were James and John when Jesus called them?  How did they respond to Jesus’ calling?  What can we learn from Peter, Andrew, James and John in today’s passage?  

4.  Read verses 23-25.  Describe Jesus’ ministry.  How did people respond to what he was doing?  How are the crowds who followed Jesus different than his disciples?