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Compiled and Edited by the Education Ministry of Fort Caroline Baptist Church Revision date July 22, 2014 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS Week One: We Were All Fish Once Mark 1:14-20 Week Two: Why Fish? Acts 4:1-21 Week Three: Fish Guts Acts 4:23-31 Week Four: Fishing Buddies Luke 10:1-16 Week Five: Muddy Water John 3:16-17 Week Six: The One That Got Away Mark 10:17-22 6 11 18 22 27 31 3
Introduction Go Fish is a six-week study using the basic outline developed by Andy Stanley and bringing it into our context. The basic premise for this study is that followers of Christ are to learn to be fishers of men. The study will cause learners to question whether it is possible to be an obedient follower of Jesus if you are not a fisher of men. Telling others about Jesus is not just something reserved for preachers, evangelists, and missionaries. It is a privilege God has given to all Christians. (Acts 8:1-4; Matthew 28:19-20) What can we learn from traditional fishing methods that will help us be better fishers of men for God? Here are a few suggestions: Go where the fish are. When someone goes fishing and is not catching any fish in one spot, it just makes sense to try another one. No sensible person would pick a favorite spot and stay there until the fish came to bite. Fish do not often come to the fisherman and neither do people. Use bait that actually catches fish. Are you willing to do something different, even something you are not comfortable with, in order to reach the lost? Certainly you should not use methods that are opposed to God, but God did not largely regulate methods. Rather, He regulated the message. Just because you change the method to attract the fish does not mean you have changed the message. If you refuse to change the method, you often essentially refuse to preach the message. The goal is not your comfort, but to catch fish for Jesus. Fish. If someone were to talk about fishing, their methods, their bait, how much they enjoyed fishing, and so on, but they never 4
fished, you would think they were crazy. You would really think they were crazy if they bought a boat, tackle, fish finders, attended seminars and read books on fishing, but never went fishing. I pray that everyone participating in this study will be challenged to become or become again fishers of men. Dr. John Shultz Associate Pastor 5
Week One We Were All Fish Once Mark 1:14-20 Open It When Jesus called his followers, He had very clear intentions: I will make you fishers of men. He didn t mention refining their character, making them better people, or even saving them from their sins although He did those things too. But of all the things He could have emphasized, Jesus announced that His primary agenda for those who follow Him was to use them to introduce others to their loving heavenly Father. Andy Stanley, Go Fish Read Titus 3:3 and Colossians 3:7. How do these verses relate to believers? Can you think of obstacles that keep Christians from being fishers of men? Who was instrumental in you becoming a Christian? How were they instrumental? 6
Explore It Mark 1:14-20: 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 The time has come, he said. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news! 16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men. 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. (NIV) Do you remember what it felt like to have someone speak to you about trusting in Jesus when you were spiritually lost? If you cannot remember, will you seek out someone who can remember? Why do you think the disciples wanted to follow Jesus? According to Jesus, what was His primary agenda for His followers? What marks the timeframe of when Jesus went to Galilee in this passage and what was He doing? (1:14) 7
How did Jesus want people to respond to the fact that the kingdom of God was near? (1:15) What did Jesus mean when He said, The time has come and The Kingdom of God is near? Compare and contrast these verses where the writers mark events that their timing was precise and necessary: Daniel 9:25 Galatians 4:4 What was the vocation of those Jesus called to be His followers in these verses? (1:16, 19) What clever strategy did Jesus use to get people to follow Him? (1:17) 8
What does it mean to be fishers of men? (1:17) Would the men Jesus called have been experts on sharing the gospel? What qualified these men? How did Simon and Andrew respond to Jesus call? (1:17) Compare Matthew 19:27. What could have been reasons for not responding to Jesus call? Contrast Luke 9:57-62. What sacrifice did James and John make to follow Jesus? (1:20) Contrast Mark 10:29-30. What Do I Do Now? Please take some time to discuss some or all of the questions/statements below. What does Christ expect us to be willing to give up to follow Him? 9
What can you learn from the disciples response to Jesus call? What prevents you from following Jesus wholeheartedly? What action is necessary to eliminate these hindrances from your life with Christ? Pray. Will you pray that God uses you for eternal change by learning how to effectively share your faith, using your personal faith story? Participate. Will you pass out two of the tracts that will be available at the rear of the Worship Center this week and share your story next week at the beginning of LifeGroup? 10
Week Two Why Fish? Acts 4:1-21 Open It In our culture, the idea of a Christian sharing his or her faith with non- Christians makes a lot of people uncomfortable. Many non-christians dread the thought of being assaulted and proselytized by zealous bornagains. And many Christians fear being rejected, ridiculed, or humiliated for trying to push his or her beliefs on someone else. Both parties find it much easier just to keep to themselves on matters of faith and avoid conflicts altogether. But the Bible is clear that followers are to become fishers. And fishing means being strategic with our opportunities to tell others about Jesus. In this session, we ll look at one of the most compelling and overlooked reasons why Christians should be active about sharing their faith. And, in the process, we ll examine why telling others about Jesus doesn t mean you have to be pushy or overbearing. Nor do you have to embarrass yourself in front of others and co-workers. In fact, fishing can become a natural part of your personality. Andy Stanley, Go Fish Who has a story to share on how he or she shared a tract with someone this week? 11
How did you feel before you shared the tract and how did you feel after? Explore It Acts 4:1-21: The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand. 5 The next day the rulers, elders and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: By what power or what name did you do this? 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone. 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together. 16 What are we going to do with these men? they asked. Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done 12
an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name. 18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God s sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. 21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened. (NIV) What was the message that offended the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees? (4:1-2) What were the consequences of Peter and John openly sharing about their faith in Jesus? (4:3-4) Peter and John may have been bound, but the Word was not. Where have you heard of Annas and Caiaphas before? Refer to John 18:13-14. Compare vs. 7 with Matthew 21:23. How would this have felt like déjà vu to Peter and John? 13
How could they have avoided this entire confrontation? If they stopped sharing the gospel because of persecution, how would we have heard? How does Peter respond to the leaders questioning their authority to tell others about Jesus and the resurrection? (4:8-12) How would Peter s declaration in vs. 12 be received in a group of secular academics today? Why would Peter be considered narrowminded? What was clearly visible about Peter and John? (4:13) Are others able to see this in your life? What evidence kept the religious people from arguing more? Why is a changed or transformed life the most powerful proof? (4:14) 14
What were the religious leaders afraid of and what did they do because of this fear? (4:15-18) What ethical dilemma did Peter and John create for the religious leaders? (4:19-21) What was the driving force within Peter and John? (4:20) What Do I Do Now Please take some time to read this article and discuss the questions/ statements below. Pastor Saeed Abedini, an American citizen imprisoned in Iran on charges that he was evangelizing in the Islamic country, has been jailed for nearly one year in the notorious Evin Prison. On Thursday, a worldwide prayer vigil will be held to commemorate this tragic anniversary. Despite his plight, which includes intense pain, suffering and mistreatment, Abedini s wife, Naghmeh, recently revealed an intriguing fact during an address she delivered at Liberty University - a tidbit that will likely enrage Iranian officials: The detained Christian has reportedly led over 30 people to Christ. Billy Howell, September 23, 2013, The Blaze Why was Pastor Abedini imprisoned and how is he responding to his imprisonment? Has being in prison silenced him? 15
When it comes to fishing for men, has Pastor Abedini put away his fishing poles? Where is his fishing pond? Why are the fish biting? How is this same narrow message that is declared in Acts 4:13 resonating with those who are incarcerated with the Pastor? Is it possible that the Pastor had to be willing to go to jail in order to reach those already in jail? Are you willing to live on the edge for Jesus regardless of the price it may cost? Will you start today? Will you take two more tracts from the rear of the Worship Center and share them this week? Will you share your testimony (your story on how you came to faith in Jesus) with a stranger this week? 16
Take some time to record your responses before you come back to class and share your encounters with your LifeGroup next week. Will you join many that are praying for Pastor Abedini https:// www.facebook.com/prayforpastorsaeedabedini? 17
Week Three Fish Guts Acts 4:23-31 Open It Telling others about Jesus can be intimidating, overwhelming, and even disturbing. There s something about trying to convince another person to adopt a whole new belief system that seems daunting and uncomfortable, who am I to say another person should believe? we wonder. Discussions about our faith may seem difficult today. Consider how intimidating it must have been for the first century believers. Imagine how difficult it must have been to be face-to-face with the religious leaders that were instrumental in Jesus death and not back away. That takes guts to push back the fear. Andy Stanley, Go Fish Why is sharing our faith so important to this generation and the ones to come? If you have children or grandchildren, can you think of a situation that they were or are afraid to do on their own? If you promised to be with them when they did the thing that they were afraid of, did it help curb their fear? Why? How does this story apply to our fears of sharing our faith? 18
Explore it Acts 4:23-31: 23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the LORD and against His Christ. 27 For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (NIV) Now that Peter and John were released from prison, had they learned their lesson about openly sharing their faith? What did the report of Peter and John s imprisonment cause the believers to do? (4:24) 19
In the believer s prayer beginning in vs. 24, how did they express their view of the persecution they faced? (4:24-26) How was God s hand in all that was plotted and done against Jesus? (4:27-28) How would God orchestrate the destruction and defeat of Jesus enemies? (4:28-30) What did the Christians ask God to do? (4:29-30) How would the believers be enabled to carry out God s work? (4:30) What was the effect of the believers prayer? (4:31) 20
What did the Christians experience and do after they finished praying? (4:31) What Do I Do Now? Please take some time to discuss some or all of the questions below. Where do you go for help in times of trouble? How does it build our faith to remember past works of God on behalf of His people? When was the last time you were amazed by the power of prayer? If you were more sensitive to the Holy Spirit, what changes might take place? What will you do, this week, to model an Acts 4 lifestyle? 21
Week Four Fishing Buddies Luke 10:1-16 Open it So far, we ve talked about the reasons to fish, the courage to fish, and the fact that we are living during the fishing season of God s plan for the world. But no matter how much you understand the need to fish, and no matter how motivated your are to do it, there s still something intimidating about getting up the courage to tell someone about Jesus. We picture ourselves alone with a lost friend, awkwardly turning the conversation to the subject of spirituality. Or we dread facing a theological question we can t answer. And deep inside, we know that making people uncomfortable might make them resist God even more. After all, that s part of what they don t like about Christianity in the first place. What if we were to seek out a fishing-buddy rather than going-it-alone because of the strength we can draw from one another? What if the picture in our mind has us fishing alone sharing our faith, but God s picture has us fishing with someone else fishing in our pond? Andy Stanley, Go Fish Do you tend to think of evangelism as a solo event or a partnership? Why? 22
What are some of the differences between evangelizing alone and partnering with other believers to fish for men? What principles can you draw from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 that may apply to having a fishing -buddy? Explore it Luke 10:1-16: After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. 5 But whatever house you enter, first say, Peace to this house. 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. 9 And heal the sick there, and say to them, The kingdom of God has come near to you. 10 But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 11 The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you. 12 But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city. 13 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. 16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me. (NKJV) What was the size of each team and where they to go? (10:1) 23
What was the scope of the work Jesus was asking these teams to do? (10:2) How were they to seek to enlist others in the work? What were they to anticipate as they went? (10:3) Were they promised safety? Isn t safety often a determining factor on whether we will go into a place to evangelize or not? Who would provide for them when they were on mission? (10:4) What level of faith in Jesus would be required to go on this mission? 24
If you were one of the 70, what would some of your questions or concerns be at this point? What were their instructions? (10:5-12) What did Jesus say about the response of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum? (10:13-15) What did Jesus say about the people in Tyre and Sidon? When Jesus said in vs. 14 that it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you, what did He mean? What are we to understand when we are sharing the gospel if we are made fun of, demeaned, or rejected? (10:16) 25
What Do I Do Now? Please take some time to discuss some or all of the questions below. Who is your fishing-buddy? If you do not have a fishing-buddy, will you seek one out and begin connecting to Through Every Door on Sundays? How does it strengthen you to know that Jesus knew we were going to be seen as lambs among wolves? Isn t that what He was? It did not cause Him to stop going because it was dangerous. Will you take a few moments to read Isaiah 53:1-12 this week? Will you take a few moments to write down your fears for not going out and sharing your faith with a fishing-buddy? Then, find a fishingbuddy. 26
Week Five Muddy Water John 3:16-17 Open it One of the biggest challenges of sharing Jesus with a non-believer is navigating through the complexities of Christian theology. In fact, maybe you ve shied away from fishing because you weren t confident in your ability to explain the elements of the doctrine of salvation. Even if you understand that man is born into sin, why bad things happen to good people, and God predestined certain events that doesn t mean you can explain it all to somebody who has never heard. Water is clear or muddy because of the debris in the water, most times, and not because of the water. If you do not think so, draw out a glass of water from a muddy pond and look at the sediment that is floating in the water. The message of salvation is clear; we can make it muddy. We can make becoming a Christian too complex. We can make sharing the gospel too hard; this is so much the case that many have resigned from even trying because they have surrendered to the lie that they do not know enough. Andy Stanley, Go Fish How do you think the average person would describe the requirements for getting to heaven? 27
Can you name two people in your sphere of influence who do not know that God loves them and desires to forgive them? Would you be willing to share his or her first name in class? Will someone begin praying that these people would come to know Christ? Explore it John 3:16-21: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. (NIV) How did God demonstrate His love for all the people of the world of every generation? (3:16) When vs. 16 says whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life, are there any limitations? What is necessary to have eternal life? 28
Write down your definition of the word believe. Why is it necessary to clarify our understanding of this word? Why did God send His Son into the world? (3:17) Contrast this with John 14:6 and Acts 4:12. What is the spiritual condition of the unbeliever? Why is this their spiritual condition? ((3:18) How do vv. 19-21 help to explain why people really enjoy activity that accentuates moral and ethical depravity? How does the person that lives by truth respond to the light? (3:21) 29
What Do I Do Now? Please take some time to discuss some or all of the questions below. How would you describe what it means to be born again to someone? Could you explain the gospel to someone using a napkin and a pen to write out your explanation? Would you like to learn? What spiritual truths are muddy or hard to understand for you? How will you begin clearing up the debris that clouds your understanding of how to communicate your faith? This week, will you settle on a gospel communication plan and share it with a family member, asking for feedback? Then, will you ask the Lord for an opportunity to share it with a stranger? 30
Week Six The One That Got Away Mark 10:17-22 Open it Every seasoned fisherman has a story of the one that got away. But what about us? Are there neighbors or co-workers all around us that God longs for us to reach out to? Are there old friends or relatives that He s been preparing to hear the good news of salvation? Could we be overlooking the obvious? And, if so, what may be obscuring our vision? We can develop a dangerous tendency that will impair our calling to become fishers of men. In our excitement to soak up all the benefits of our new life in Christ, we can forget those who have not yet heard of Jesus or have heard and are not saved. We can live the rest of our lives after conversion enjoying the benefits, but missing out on what God intends for us to be engaged in. Andy Stanley, Go Fish Why do most Christians not become fishers-of-men? Is it spiritually healthy to keep your faith personal and never share it with anyone? If you said yes, why? If you said no, what is needed to keep you healthy? 31
If we have a friend that is a good, caring, moral, and religious person, why are we tempted not to think of them as spiritually lost? Explore it 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? 18 Why do you call me good? Jesus answered. No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother. 20 Teacher, he declared, all these I have kept since I was a boy. 21 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. 22 At this the man s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. (NIV) Why did the actions of the man appear to be urgent and sincere? (10:17) How did the man identify Jesus? (10:17) What was the man s question? (10:17) 32
Compare vs. 17, John 6:28 and Acts 16:30. What is the common theme in all three verses? Why do we intrinsically want to do something for something? How did Jesus correct the man in vs. 18 and what would Jesus response have caused the man to wonder? In vs. 19, what did Jesus use to establish the man s religious knowledge? What relationships did these commands deal with? Could a good, moral, religious person try to keep these areas under control in his or her life? 33
How did the young man respond to Jesus challenge? What was he saying about himself? What does vs. 21 reveal about Jesus and the man? What was the man unwilling to do? (10:21) How would Matthew 16:26 come to play in the man s response? What did the man treasure more? This man was willing to walk away from Jesus. What was hindering the man s offer to receive eternal life because he was not willing? 34
What Do I Do Now? Please take some time to discuss some or all of the questions below. What was lacking in this man that caused him to come to Jesus in the first place? Why is it so easy to fall into the trap of feeling like God is impressed by my activity? Why would Jesus have initially prioritized the horizontal relationships in the man s life in vs. 18? Can a moral man, apart from God s grace, be forgiven? Why did Jesus tell the man to sell everything he had before he said come, follow me? 35
What is there in our lives that is keeping us from coming to Christ? If we claim to have saving faith in Christ, what is keeping us from sharing our faith? Think back through last week. Was there one that got away because sharing Christ may not have been your priority? What can you do different this week? What has this study taught you about fishing for men? 36
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11428 McCormick Road Jacksonville, FL 32225 Phone (904) 642-2288 Fax (904) 642-8694 www.fcbcjax.com 40