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Sunday School Special : Lesson 2

5 April 2020

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 5 April 2020

REVIEW

1. Influence

a) John the Baptiser
b) Andrew
c) The Lord Jesus Christ

2. Impact

a) Ministry of John the Baptiser
b) The Word he preached about the Messiah
c) The general impact

3. Individual Response

a) Different for each individual
b) Individual response must be carefully considered
i) Group response
ii) Individual response

THE CALLING OF THE FIRST DISCIPLES

1. General Notation

a) In Matthew’s Gospel
(Matthew 4:18-22)
b) In Mark’s Gospel
(Mark 1:16-20)
c) In Luke’s Gospel
(Luke 5:1-11)
d) In John’s Gospel
(John 1:35-42)
Pre-call Visitation

2. A Special Feature
(Luke 5:1-11)

a) Explanation of how Peter came to decide that he would follow Jesus
b) This highlight’s the focus on “The Individual response” angle

CONTEXT

1. Location

a) Galilee
b) Lake of Gennesaret (Luke 5:1)
This was Luke’s term of reference
i) Fresh water lake
ii) River Jordan feeds it
iii) Underground springs
c) Other names
i) Sea of Galilee
ii) Sea of Tiberias

2. Timing

a) The fishermen were washing their nets (Luke 5:2)
b) The fishing is done in the night

3. Ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) Preaching to the Multitudes
b) Teaching the Multitudes from a boat belonging to Simon (Luke 5:3)

4. End of teaching ministry

a) Jesus spoke to Simon directly (Luke 5:4)
Note the focus on Simon as an individual
b) “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch” (Luke 5:4)
An unusual word. Three things may be noted:
i) Catching of fish was near the shore… And not “the deep”
ii) Fishing was done in the night… And not in the day
iii) A catch was promised… How could anyone make such a claim?

5. Simon’s response to Jesus

a) Master (Luke 5:5a)
Greek “Epistata”
i) General term of respect
ii) Greek general reference equivalent to a “Teacher” (Rabbi)
b) Puzzled statement of Peter
i) He had not been known for speaking much (John 1)
ii) “We have toiled all night and caught nothing” (Luke 5:5b)
iii) “Nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net” (Luke 5:5c)

6. A miracle

a) Fishing was not done alone
b) A team of fishermen had to work together (trawling)
Peter and Andrew (Family team)
c) To the great surprise of all the fishermen
i) They caught a great number of fish (Luke 5:6a)
ii) Their net was breaking (Luke 5:6b)
d) They signaled to their partners
Possibly James and John
i) They were in the other boat (Luke 5:7a)
ii) They came to offer help (Luke 5:7b)
iii) They filled their boats and they were beginning to sink (Luke 5:7c)

7. Peter’s response

a) When Peter saw it
i) Understanding dawned on him
ii) He began to fathom who Jesus really was
b) Peter’s response
a) He fell down at Jesus’ knees (Luke 5:8a)
b) “Depart from me for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8b)
i) Sinfulness was felt
ii) Jesus did not say a word to Peter about his sin
iii) Consciousness of sin and guilt
c) “O Lord”
i) “Master” Epistata… Not a good enough word now
ii) Jesus was addressed appropriately as “Lord” (kurios)
iii) He was more than a Master, more than a Rabbi
iv) His brother Andrew was right
v) Jesus was the Messiah… the Lord!

8. Response of Peter and all who were with him

a) They were astonished at the catch of fish (Luke 5:9)
b) They had seen a miracle right before their eyes
c) James and John were mentioned as “partners” with Simon (Luke 5:10a)

9. Jesus personal word to Simon

a) “Do not be afraid” (Luke 5:10b)
b) “From now you will catch men” (Luke 5:10c)

10. After returning to the shore

a) They forsook all
b) They followed Jesus (Luke 5:11)
i) Simon and Andrew
ii) James and John

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSE
(Peter’s example)

1. Consciousness of who Jesus really is

a) Saviour
b) Lord

2. Conviction of personal sin

a) Sinfulness confessed
b) Unworthiness expressed

3. Commitment

a) To forsake all
b) To follow Jesus