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INTRODUCTION
Let’s be honest. I think we all have experienced seasons in our lives where we felt like God did not care or even worse, he was completely absent. We reason and ask: if he cares, why am I going through what I am going through? How could this happen to me if God is on my side? We find this sentiment in the Old Testament as well when God sent his messenger to Gideon to inform him that he was going to use Gideon to bring deliverance to others. Gideon asked, “but if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? (see Judges 6:12-13) In other words, where are you God? Has he “gone fishing?” We may be tempted to ask the same question during challenging times in our lives and even more recent as we are facing the cascading effects of this pandemic. On Sunday, Josh shared with us that; yes, Jesus is gone fishing, but not in the sense of being completely unaware of all that is going on. However, Jesus is fully aware, fully present and is pursuing us in the midst of our situations. Not only is Jesus pursuing us, but invites on a journey to pursue others. Go Fish!
Read John 20:11-29, John 21:15-19
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Often, when we experience challenging times in life, we question God’s care or his presence. How would you explain to someone where God is or what he could be doing in the midst of what they are experiencing?
- Josh mentioned that good fisherman understand the season, the temperature, time of day and bait. How would this apply to the context of reaching/pursuing others?
- In Luke 5:10-12, the disciples responded to Jesus’ invitation by leaving everything and following him. What can we learn from their response?
- Peter made many mistakes along the way. One of them was denying that he knew Jesus, yet Jesus pursues him after the resurrection and restores him. What impact do you believe this had on Peter’s life and his witness to others?
REFLECTION
Jesus called his disciples to become fishers of men (people), they were not perfect, but yet he invited them to follow him on a journey that would transform their lives and the world. The scriptures record that they left all and began to follow. The same invitation is extended to us today. Are you willing to leave whatever you must to follow in the ways of Jesus?
SPEAK OUT LOUD AND KEEP IN MIND
Jesus has caught me and captured my heart, I now live to represent him and yield myself to pursue others. (Ref: 2 Corinthians 5:20-21)