Bible ReadingLuke 5:1-11 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
[50:31]Mark 10:17-22 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
[56:21]Philippians 3:7-11 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
[01:07:25]1 Kings 19:19-21 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.” “Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?” So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.
[01:15:11]Observation questions- In Luke 5, what happens right before Jesus tells Peter what his life will now be about, and how does Peter respond to that moment? [52:14]
- In Mark 10, what details show that the rich man was serious and respectful, and what was the one thing he would not do when Jesus told him to follow? [01:00:01]
- In Philippians 3, what words does Paul use to compare his old gains with the value of knowing Christ?
- In 1 Kings 19, what exact steps does Elisha take after the call comes to him, and what do those actions make impossible for him? [01:15:11]
Interpretation questions- Peter says, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man.” Why does that kind of response matter so much at the beginning of following Jesus? What does it reveal about how a person truly sees Christ and himself? [52:14]
- Jesus told the rich man to sell everything, but He did not say that to every person. What does that suggest about the real issue in this man’s heart? How can a good thing become something that rules a person? [59:42]
- Paul says everything else is loss compared to knowing Christ. How does seeing Christ as the greater treasure change the way a person thinks about sacrifice, obedience, and letting go of old patterns? [01:09:32]
- Elisha burned the plow and slaughtered the oxen before going forward. What does that picture say about the difference between admiring a call and actually committing to it? [01:15:24]
Application questions- Spiritual growth requires active participation. What does active participation with Jesus look like in this season of life for you right now? Where have you been intentional, and where have you mostly been waiting for growth to just happen? [49:27]
- Following Jesus starts with humility, not with bringing a résumé to Him. Is there any place in your life where pride is making it harder to confess sin, ask for help, or obey clearly? [52:14]
- Anything that can say “no” to Jesus may be functioning like an idol. What is hardest for you to place fully in His hands right now—money, comfort, a relationship, reputation, habits, plans, or something else? [01:00:01]
- A person cannot keep holding onto sinful patterns and still pretend to be walking closely with Christ. Is there a repeating pattern in your life that needs to be named honestly and brought into the light with trusted believers? [01:02:20]
- Christ is so valuable that what once looked essential can start to lose its shine. When have you experienced that in a real way? If that has not happened lately, what may be competing with delight in Christ? [01:07:25]
- Following Jesus means going where He leads, not asking Him to bless a path already chosen. Is there a step of obedience you already know you need to take but have been delaying? What makes that step hard? [01:11:41]
- Elisha burned the backup plan. What would “no turning back” look like in one practical area of your life this week? Is there something you need to cut off, surrender, confess, or change so that obedience becomes clearer? [01:15:11]
