Guardians Of Ancora Bible Plan: Jesus And The FishermenSample

LEAVE EVERYTHING?

Could you do it? Leave everything to follow Jesus? Simon Peter and those two brothers could. Perhaps it was easier in those days, when life was more straightforward. It was more about survival and day-to-day existence then. What had they got to lose? Their boats – their means of livelihood – could be passed on to other family members. They had everything to gain if they left everything, although of course they didn’t know that.

That’s true for us too. We have everything to gain if we leave everything to follow Jesus. How can we possibly leave everything? Perhaps, for us, leaving everything is more a question of leaving our old lives behind – in the form of our sinful selves – if we want to follow Jesus. We need to do that daily. Hourly sometimes. Following Jesus is a once-in-a-lifetime decision that needs regular updating.

TALKABOUT

Where do you see yourself in this story? Are you in the boat with Jesus? Are you one of the crowd who was listening to Jesus teach? What are you thinking and feeling?

TALKING WITH GOD TOGETHER

Choose a phrase related to today’s Bible reading, maybe ‘Jesus, friend for all, friend to me’. Try the ancient method of ‘breath prayers’, quietly together. Close your eyes and be calm, as you start to feel the rhythm of your breathing. Repeat the phrase silently, over and over, for about a minute (or longer, if you’re all at ease with the stillness).

PLAYING GUARDIANS OF ANCORA

Switch on your game device, go to the Spire and select the Bible Quest ‘Jesus and the Fishermen’ (tap the ‘game-controller’ icon).

Have you completed the first two chapters of ‘Jesus and the Fishermen’? If so, see how you get on with Chapter 3 today.

Out in the deep water, Simon Peter and Andrew throw their nets overboard and catch an amazing amount of fish!

Jesus has performed an amazing miracle! Simon Peter realises that Jesus is someone special. But what will happen next? As the boats turn for the shore, you’ll need to get back quickly.

Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John have a choice to make. Will they stay on their boat, catching fish? Or will they follow Jesus, and fish for people? What does that mean?

What is your favourite part of the story? Why do you like that part so much?