Fishers of Men

by Jill Rhodes

July 2004

And walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers...
casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you
fishers of men."
Matthew 4:18-19

God uses what you have to fill a need which you never could have filled.
God uses where you are to take you where you never could have gone.
God uses who you are to let you become who you never could have been.
(Philip Clarke Brewer)

Jesus' first words to His disciples were, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."  He didn't say, "Follow Me, and I will make you church goers," or "Follow Me, and I will give you social services to perform."  He wanted "fishers of men."

The first call was to follow Him.  It is following Him that makes us fishers of men.  His burden becomes our burden.  His vision becomes our vision.  His passion becomes our passion.  He loved us so much that He left heaven to save men's souls.  When we follow Him, we become willing to make whatever sacrifice is necessary to achieve the same end.  He makes us fishers of men.

The ministries God has placed in the local church were given not only for the edification of the local body of believers, but also to equip and train them to become fishers of men.

If the Master's last command to "go ye into all the world" isn't part of our responsibility, what is?  His heart's cry must become our own... Following Him is only a beginning.  It is not an end in itself.  The desired end result is that we become "fishers of men."  (Richard Grubb)

Come and See

God's Purpose for the Fisherman

1.  Take a closer look at Jesus' invitation to the fishermen one phrase at a time.  What insights can you glean about this invitation?
"Follow Me"
"and I will make you"
"fishers of men."

2.  What was the difference between the response of Peter and Andrew and the response of James and John (Matthew 4:18-22)?

     How do you think you would have responded to the invitation of Jesus?  Why?

3.  What do you think Jesus was trying to teach Peter about fishing for men through the first miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:4-11)?

     What was He teaching Peter through the second miraculous catch (John 21:1-11)?

4.  In accepting the invitation of Jesus, are you willing to do the following:
     Leave the nets?
     Leave behind your former way of life?
     Follow Jesus?
     Learn to fish His way?

God's Provision for the Fisherman

5.  Read Mark 6:7-13, 30-44.  What had the disciples been doing just prior to the feeding of the 5000 (v. 7-13)?

     Coming off of such a dynamic time of ministry, the disciples had to have been weary, excited, and overwhelmed.  Now Jesus was asking them to feed 5000 hungry, needy people.  What was their response?

6.  What do you think Jesus wanted to teach His disciples through this miracle?

7.  Who did Jesus use to provide such a great feast (see John 6:9)?  How is this an encouragement to you?

"Ministry takes place when divine resources meet
human needs through loving channels to the glory of God."
(Warren Wiersbe)

God's Power for the Fisherman

8.  Read Matthew 14:22-36.  What was Jesus doing while His disciples were toiling on the sea (v.23-24)?

9.  Mark tells us that Jesus was going to walk right past the disciples (Mark 6:48). Why would Jesus do this?

10. Peter decided to take a walk on the water too (Matthew 14:28-31).  Would you be more likely to stay in the boat or step out?  Why?

11.  What happened when Jesus got in the boat (John 6:21)?

12.  What area of your life right now requires your total dependence on the Lord?

       What in this story is the greatest encouragement to you?

God's Payment for the Fisherman

13.  Read Matthew 17:24-27.  This tax was "atonement money" according to Exodus 30:11-16, and pictured the ransom that must be paid for each man's life.  Who paid Peter's share?

14.  What do you think is the point of this fish story?

"The trouble with too many of us is that we think God called us to be manufacturers when He really called us to be distributors.  He alone has the resources to meet human needs; all we can do is receive His riches and share them with others."
(Warren Wiersbe)

Come and Follow

15.  As you follow Jesus, with which do you struggle the most? Why?
        - staying true to His purpose
        - relying on His power
        - trusting in His provision
        - accepting His payment for you

       Commit this area in a fresh way to the Lord right now, asking Him to do His work in you and through you.

16.  Is a person a fisherman if he never fishes?  Is one following if he isn't fishing?

"Jesus is the Master Fisherman.  He came two thousand years ago
to catch people alive and He's been fishing ever since,
through people like us.  Helping us to catch people is
foremost on His mind.  He won't let us forget that He caught us
through someone who loved and cared for us.
And consistently each day He asks His same hard question,
'Have you any fish?"
(Lloyd J. Ogilvie)

Name Above All Names

At the name of Jesus every knee will bow... and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.   Phil.  2:10-11

~ Master ~  Luke 5:5

~ The Great God ~ Titus 2:13

~ A Sign Like Jonah ~  Luke 11:30

~ The Bread of Life ~  John 6:35

~ A Refuge From the Wind ~  Isaiah 32:2

~ My Helper ~  Hebrews 13:5-6

~ Lord of the Harvest ~  Matthew 9:37-38