Faith
Goals for this Week’s Study:
- Review Sunday Morning’s Message.
- Help group members identify an area of their life where they need to apply faith.
Getting Started:
Open your group with prayer.
SHARE: What is something you would attempt IF you knew you couldn’t fail?
Scripture
Luke 5:1 – 11
1 One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” 5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. 8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
Study Questions
- Has there ever been when you felt as though the Lord was asking you to do something you didn’t really want to do? [Ask members to share if they feel comfortable] Did you respond like Peter in verse 5 with an excuse?
- Even though Peter initially gave Jesus a reason NOT to do what he asked, he eventually complied to Jesus’ request. Why do you think Peter did this?
- Pastor Daniel, referencing Hebrews 11:6, made the point that in order to please God we must have Faith. Why is it difficult to demonstrate Faith?
- How is faith demonstrated? [OBEDIENCE. Look at the end of verse 5 “if you say so, I will let down the nets again.”]
- Romans 12:3 tells us that God has given each of us a measure of faith. If God has given each of us a measure of faith, what then is holding us back from using it? [Obedience]
Final Thoughts: This final questions are not necessarily meant to be discussed out loud, but could be depending on the dynamic of your group. Encourage your group members to use the following questions to do an honest assessment of themselves and ask the Lord to show them the area(s) of their life where they need to be obedient and demonstrate faith.
- In verse 3, we see that there were 2 boats, and Jesus picked Peter’s. He could have refused Jesus and asked him to use the other boat, but he allowed Jesus to get into his boat. Have you allowed Jesus into your “boat?” Pastor Daniel said your boat represents your life…your relationships, your career, your problems, everything!
- If he is in your boat, where is he at? Driving or riding? Jesus doesn’t just want to ride in your boat…he wants to drive and direct your life. Not because he wants control, but because he knows what’s best for your life!
- In verse 11, we see the conclusion of what Jesus was trying to teach Peter and his partners. It was much more than just about blessing them with a huge catch of fish! Jesus told them that it wasn’t just about them, he wanted them to be a blessing to others as well. Maybe Jesus is in your boat, and he’s in the driver’s, he’s waiting on you to act. Where do you need to be obedient at right now?
PRAY over your group at the end! Don’t pray for clarity in these situations. Pray for courage to take the steps of obedience Jesus has called them to take.