Discipleship Essentials*
Monday, October 25, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, I come to You today and admit that at times I feel like "washing my net." I admit that I sometimes get frustrated, stressed, and discouraged with my circumstances. There are times when I simply have no place to go, and I do not know what to do. I need You Father at all times. I ask that You would help me through these difficulties and work miracles in my life and in those who are continually on my heart. I do not want to give up. I do not want to quit praying. I ask that You would do a miracles so that my life, and those around me, would never be the same. I ask that You sustain me and give me grace during these times. I ask this in Jesus' name. . . Amen.
God’s Word Today
Luke 5:1-11
1 "One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water's edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, 'Now go out where it is deeper and let down your nets, and you will catch many fish.' 5 'Master,' Simon replied, 'we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, we'll try again.' 6 And this time their nets were so full they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking."
8 "When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, 'Oh, Lord, please leave me -- I'm too much of a sinner to be around you.' 9 For he was awestruck by the size of their catch, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, 'Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for people!' 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus."
Background on the Text – Who Wrote It? Why Was It Written? Who Was the Audience?
Luke wrote this Gospel to the Gentiles to provide a full and accurate record "about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven" (Acts 1:1b-2a). It is evident that Luke wrote his Gospel to the Gentiles because he traces Jesus' human genealogy back to Adam (3:23-38) and not just to Abraham as did Matthew's gospel. Luke reveals that Jesus is truly divine, yet truly human, and portrays Jesus as Savior. Both the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts can be seen as complementary volumes which reveal the message of Jesus and its early spread throughout the world. Luke gives to us an accurate and well written historical account of the timeline of by which the Gospel of Jesus was advanced beyond Judaism and unto the "uttermost parts of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
Observation – What Does the Text Say?
Interpretation – What Does the Text Mean?
Application – How Can I Respond to the Text’s Insights and Teachings?
Each Week’s Check List
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
Growth Point |
How |
Encouraged and strengthened me by |
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Fallen short areas |
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What will I do with these insights? |
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What did God say to me today? |
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Share insights and growth points |
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Changed/transformed how? |
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Thoughts...
It was no mistake that the boat Jesus selected was owned by a fisherman named Simon (whom Jesus would later call Peter). Simon ran a fishing business on the Sea of Galilee for a living. He and his brother Andrew, and his other partners James and John were also part of this fishing business. They were experienced fishermen, but their experience was not paying off. We read in Luke 5:2 that these men were "washing their nets." They had worked hard all night, and had caught nothing (vs 5). When we read through this passage, we think nothing of the fact that these men were washing their nets. After a long night, they were finished for the morning and washing the nets seemed most natural. If we look at the text more carefully, I am a bit concerned as to why these men were washing nets that had never been filled? This may appear to be a minor detail, but there is something that we need to see which is very important. These men were discouraged.
The washing of the nets symbolized frustration among these fishermen. There are many people today are frustrated, stressed, and discouraged with their circumstances. Just like these disciples, these people are also "washing their nets" (emotionally speaking). The washing of the nets means that one is giving up with things and feels like quitting. Are you "washing your nets?" Is there something in your life that you are discouraged or stressed about? Just as the disciples were on the verge a miracle and a major life change, God is about ready to take you to new places in Him. God wants to pour out His Holy Spirit upon you to make your life abundant in all things. Don't give up because you are discouraged, for you may be on the verge of God's blessing!