THE FISH
READ IT: Memory Verse: “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Mark 1:17 NIV
HEAR IT: Fishing for God
Think about fish. The live kind, not the kind battered and fried on your plate. They swim around looking for food, while we sit around looking for them. They have been known to snatch the bait off the hook, break the line after a gallant struggle, and even pull a helpless fisherman into the water. Yep, they are definitely some interesting sea critters. Some are sweet. Some are scary. And some are just downright mean. Thankfully, Jesus told his disciples to become “fishers of men”. Hold on, Honey! Don’t grab your tackle box and pole just yet. Jesus meant we are supposed to find others and tell them the good news of God. God loves them and sent Jesus to die for their sins. That way they can spend an eternity serving, loving, and living for God. Okay, now you can find that pole and start fishing for God.
PRAY IT: (Pray with your group)
STUDY IT: What a Catch!
Fishing is a tough sport. Some days, you catch a boatload. Other days, you don’t even get a nibble on your line. I’m no expert, but I know one thing for sure. Noise and fish do not go together. If you really want to make a fisherman mad, run up and down the shore, loudly singing your favorite tune and skipping rocks along the creek. Yep, that’s sure to make the fisherman pack up his pole and head home. When Jesus rose from the grave He went to see the disciples on a bad fishing day. They had been out on the boat all day and caught nothing. Jesus walked up and instructed them to throw their net to the other side of the boat. They couldn’t tell who this man was, but they listened anyway. In an instant, they had caught over 150 fish. What a spectacular catch! At that moment they realized the man was Jesus. Death had not defeated Him. He was alive and He truly was God’s son! Now when I catch a fish, I get excited. I take a picture of the slippery guy to show everyone I know. I shout out a big “Whoo Hoo!” (which doesn’t make the other fishermen happy). These disciplines not only caught fish that day, they caught a glimpse of the Savior, Jesus Christ. That’s a story to shout!
Want to know more? Read the entire story in John 21.
TRY IT: Ice Fishing
Items needed:
Ice cubes, string, and salt
Directions:
1. Wet the string with water.
2. Lay the string on top of an ice cube.
3. Pour salt over the ice and the string.
4. When the string has frozen to the ice cube, pull on the string. You will be able to fish out an ice cube.
Discussion Question:
Salt lowers the freezing temperature of the ice, so ice melts around the string. When the ice refreezes, you can reel in an ice cube. Salt can be used to catch ice cubes. Minnows and worms can be used to lure fish. What do we use to “bring in” people to God’s kingdom?
LIVE IT: Go Fish!
Fishing takes the right gear. My grandpa carried along his tackle box each time he walked to the lake. He had some bait, hooks, his trusty pocket knife, a bunch of other things I could never identify. The reason I couldn’t identify those items was simple. I wasn’t a fisherman. A real fisherman knows just what bait to use to catch crappie. A true fisherman knows just the right amount of weight to add to the line to catch a bass. A genuine fisherman does not need to be told which hook is right for that giant catfish lurking in mucky water. Why? He has been taught well. He has spent hours and hours fishing with experienced fisherman. He knows what to do in each and every situation because he is a fisherman. We are fishers of men. We need to read our Bible to prepare for what is ahead. We need to listen to pastors, teachers, and parents to advice. We need to allow God to prepare our hearts. You have your tackle box packed. Go fish!
SHARE IT: Fishing with Friends
Try a little fishing of your own. Bring along a friend and be sure to share this week’s memory verse as you patiently wait for the fish to bite. If you don’t live near a lake or pond, visit a pet store and gaze thoughtfully at the fish tanks. Fish for people as you fish for actual FISH.
READ IT: Memory Verse: “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Mark 1:17 NIV
HEAR IT: Fishing for God
Think about fish. The live kind, not the kind battered and fried on your plate. They swim around looking for food, while we sit around looking for them. They have been known to snatch the bait off the hook, break the line after a gallant struggle, and even pull a helpless fisherman into the water. Yep, they are definitely some interesting sea critters. Some are sweet. Some are scary. And some are just downright mean. Thankfully, Jesus told his disciples to become “fishers of men”. Hold on, Honey! Don’t grab your tackle box and pole just yet. Jesus meant we are supposed to find others and tell them the good news of God. God loves them and sent Jesus to die for their sins. That way they can spend an eternity serving, loving, and living for God. Okay, now you can find that pole and start fishing for God.
PRAY IT: (Pray with your group)
STUDY IT: What a Catch!
Fishing is a tough sport. Some days, you catch a boatload. Other days, you don’t even get a nibble on your line. I’m no expert, but I know one thing for sure. Noise and fish do not go together. If you really want to make a fisherman mad, run up and down the shore, loudly singing your favorite tune and skipping rocks along the creek. Yep, that’s sure to make the fisherman pack up his pole and head home. When Jesus rose from the grave He went to see the disciples on a bad fishing day. They had been out on the boat all day and caught nothing. Jesus walked up and instructed them to throw their net to the other side of the boat. They couldn’t tell who this man was, but they listened anyway. In an instant, they had caught over 150 fish. What a spectacular catch! At that moment they realized the man was Jesus. Death had not defeated Him. He was alive and He truly was God’s son! Now when I catch a fish, I get excited. I take a picture of the slippery guy to show everyone I know. I shout out a big “Whoo Hoo!” (which doesn’t make the other fishermen happy). These disciplines not only caught fish that day, they caught a glimpse of the Savior, Jesus Christ. That’s a story to shout!
Want to know more? Read the entire story in John 21.
TRY IT: Ice Fishing
Items needed:
Ice cubes, string, and salt
Directions:
1. Wet the string with water.
2. Lay the string on top of an ice cube.
3. Pour salt over the ice and the string.
4. When the string has frozen to the ice cube, pull on the string. You will be able to fish out an ice cube.
Discussion Question:
Salt lowers the freezing temperature of the ice, so ice melts around the string. When the ice refreezes, you can reel in an ice cube. Salt can be used to catch ice cubes. Minnows and worms can be used to lure fish. What do we use to “bring in” people to God’s kingdom?
LIVE IT: Go Fish!
Fishing takes the right gear. My grandpa carried along his tackle box each time he walked to the lake. He had some bait, hooks, his trusty pocket knife, a bunch of other things I could never identify. The reason I couldn’t identify those items was simple. I wasn’t a fisherman. A real fisherman knows just what bait to use to catch crappie. A true fisherman knows just the right amount of weight to add to the line to catch a bass. A genuine fisherman does not need to be told which hook is right for that giant catfish lurking in mucky water. Why? He has been taught well. He has spent hours and hours fishing with experienced fisherman. He knows what to do in each and every situation because he is a fisherman. We are fishers of men. We need to read our Bible to prepare for what is ahead. We need to listen to pastors, teachers, and parents to advice. We need to allow God to prepare our hearts. You have your tackle box packed. Go fish!
SHARE IT: Fishing with Friends
Try a little fishing of your own. Bring along a friend and be sure to share this week’s memory verse as you patiently wait for the fish to bite. If you don’t live near a lake or pond, visit a pet store and gaze thoughtfully at the fish tanks. Fish for people as you fish for actual FISH.