Catechism: Finding Yourselfنموونە

“Follow me.” With those two words, Jesus plucked Peter and the disciples out of their comfort zones, and their lives radically changed as a result. The disciples left their old way of life as fishermen to follow Jesus.

But for Peter, following Jesus wasn’t always easy. Peter messed up, misunderstood, and even denied Jesus. But Jesus kept journeying with him. After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter became a leader in the new church, leading the believers through difficult times. In the end, he was arrested and killed for following Jesus.

“Follow me.” Jesus is calling you today. Like the first disciples, you’ll have to leave your old way of life to start living a new life with Jesus. Discipleship will cost you. But it’s also worth it. Taking action to follow Jesus will mean letting go of your plan for your life so you can receive something better: a restored relationship with God, freedom from sin, and a new, transformed life as the person God made you to be.

Read: Mark 1:16-20 and Luke 9:23-25

Reflection Questions:

• How have you thought of your sin and struggles before? In what ways does Peter’s journey with Jesus give you hope?
• Imagine Jesus holding his hand out to you and saying, “Follow me.” What comfort zone would you have to leave? What things would you have to let go of? What about that scares you? Talk to Jesus about these areas, and ask him to help you take action to follow him.
• Think again about Jesus inviting you to follow him. What would you receive? What could Jesus restore or heal? Ask Jesus to transform you as you follow him.