YOU WILL CATCH MEN

Luke 5:1-11

Key Verse 5:10b

* JESUS TAUGHT THE WORD OF GOD EARLY IN THE MORNING (1-3)

1. What are the place and time of this event? As the chapter opens, What was Jesus doing? Why might he have come there? (4:42; Mk 1:35)

2. What kind of people probably composed the crowd? (4:40,41) What were they doing? Why? (2Tim 3:15-17; Jn 6:68; Col 3:16) What can we learn from this?

3. What were the fishermen doing? What does this show about them? What request did Jesus make of Simon? Why? How did this small act help Jesus? How did it help Simon?

* PUT OUT INTO DEEP WATER (4-7)

4. What one person was on Jesus mind as he taught the crowd? After he finished teaching, what did he ask Simon to do? Why?

5. How did Simon respond? What does this show about his life as a fisherman? From a fisherman's point of view, why did this request seem unnecessary? What was his attitude toward Jesus and his word?

6. When Simon obeyed Jesus, what happened? What is the importance of obedience in the life of a disciple? (in 14:21a; Heb 5:8,9; Ro 5:19)

* FROM NOW ON YOU WILL CATCH MEN (8-11)

7. Look at verse 8. How did Simon react to the great catch of fish? Why do you think he reacted this way? (Think about his lifestyle and compare Gen 3:17-19.) What did he learn about Jesus? About himself?

8. What did Jesus say to Simon? How did these words help him overcome his fear? (Compare Ro 8:15; 2Tim 1:7)

9. What direction and purpose in life did Jesus give him? What does it mean to "catch men"? (Mk 1:17; 1Pet 4:13; Ro 8:17)

10. How did Simon and his companions respond to Jesus' invitation? What did this mean to them practically? How is this calling and response for us?