Page1 B4. Fishers of Men Luke 5:1-11; 6:12-16 Learning Objectives 1. The children will explore the story of how Jesus chose His disciples. 2. The children will recognize that we can also become fishers of men by following Jesus teachings and choosing to share our love for Him with others. Memory Verse: Getting Started Then He said to them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. --Matthew 4:19 (NKJV) Choose One All Ages Fishers of Men Coloring Page See: www.kidssundayschool.com Grade School Activities Fishers of Men You will need to print out the coloring page and make a copy for each student. Please also provide crayons or materials for the children to begin coloring upon entering the classroom. Then continue with the lesson. (Note: Children sometimes will listen closely as you tell the story while they color.) The "Fishers of Men" Game See: http://children.cccm.com/curriculum/ New Testament Lesson 219 Teacher Guide Pages 2-3 You will need a large paper bag, paperclips, assorted paper fish, and prizes (ex. Fish stickers) for this activity. The paper fish will need to have the memory verse printed on them. Please see the above website for detailed instructions. Introduce today s lesson and talk about how Jesus used something very familiar to his disciples (fishing) to help them understand what He was calling them to do (fish for men). Continue with the lesson. Bible Lesson with Discussion Questions Message: Jesus wants us to be His disciples. Jesus Chooses the First Disciples One day Jesus was standing by the Sea of Galilee. The people crowded around him and listened to the word of God. 2 Jesus saw two boats at the edge of the water. They had been left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into the boat that belonged to Simon. Jesus asked him to go out a little way from shore. Then he sat down in the boat and taught the people. 4 When he finished speaking, he turned to Simon. He said, Go out into deep water. Let the nets down so you can catch some fish. 5 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.
Page2 Bible Lesson with Discussion Questions - Continued 6 When they had done so, they caught a large number of fish. There were so many that their nets began to break. 7 So they motioned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this; he fell at Jesus knees. Go away from me, Lord! he said. I am a sinful man! 9 10 He and everyone with him were amazed at the number of fish they had caught. So were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who worked with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, Don t be afraid. From now on you will catch people. 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore. Then they left everything and followed him. Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles 12 On one of those days, Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray. He spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, he called for his disciples to come to him. He chose 12 of them and made them apostles. 14 Simon was one of them. Jesus gave him the name Peter. There were also Simon s brother Andrew, James, John, Philip and Bartholomew. 15 And there were Matthew, Thomas, and James, son of Alphaeus. There were also Simon who was called the Zealot 16 and Judas, son of James. Judas Iscariot was one of them too. He was the one who would later hand Jesus over to his enemies. Teacher Note: Role play is a great way to help the story come alive. Please see the optional role play sheet (attached) and print a copy of the play for each character. You will also need to make two boats with the chairs. One boat should be at one end of the room with two chairs, and the other at the opposite side of the room with three chairs. Place one blanket in each of the boats for nets. Discussion Questions: 1. Where was Jesus walking? (By the Sea of Galilee.) 2. Jesus saw two brothers, Peter and his brother Andrew. What kind of jobs did they have? (They were fishermen and were throwing nets into the water.) 3. Jesus told Peter and Andrew to follow Him and he would make them fishers of what? (Men.) 4. How could Jesus make them fishers of men? (Jesus wanted them to help Him tell people about God.) 5. Going from there, Jesus saw two other brothers fishing with their father, what were their names? (James and John.) 6. Jesus called James and John to follow Him. How long did the brothers wait before deciding to follow Jesus? (They followed Him immediately.) 7. If we want to be a fisher of men, what must we do? (Follow Jesus.) 8. What does it mean to be a fisher of men? (We are bringing people to Jesus.) 9. What kind of equipment does a fisherman need in order to fish? Discuss. Answers may include: rods, reels, poles, fishing line, nets, stringing lines, sinkers, hooks, lures, sinker, etc.) 10. What pieces of special "fishing" gear has Jesus given us in order to be a fisher of men? (Discuss together. Answers may include: His Word, the Bible, the Holy Spirit, Prayer, etc.) 11. How do we use this fishing gear? (We need to use what we learn about Jesus and how He wants us to live our lives and share what God has done for us, how much we love Him, and how important He is to us. We also need to love our neighbor just as Jesus would.) 12. How do most people feel after they've caught a fish? (Excited.) How do you think Jesus feels every time another person decides to follow Him? (Discuss together.)
Page3 Application to Real Life For today's snack, give the children a snack of Goldfish crackers. Review today s memory verse again: Then He said to them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. Ask the children: What did Jesus tell Peter (and us) to do to be fishers of men? (He said, "Follow me.") As the children eat take turns looking up the following verses to find out what special fishing equipment Jesus has given us in order to be fishers of men, just as He asks of us. (Help them as needed.) Use your white board or easel to list the fishing equipment that God gives us. 1. Psalm 119:105 ~ Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way. It is like a light that guides me. (The Bible) 2. Philippians 4:6 ~ Don t worry about anything. Instead, tell God about everything. Ask and pray. Give thanks to Him. (Prayer) 3. 1 Peter 3:15 ~ But make sure in your hearts that Christ is Lord. Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you about the hope you have. Be ready to give the reason for it. But do it gently and with respect. (Be ready to tell others about how Jesus has helped you.) 4. 2 Timothy 4:2 ~ Preach the word. Be ready to serve God in good times and bad. Correct people s mistakes. Warn them. Cheer them up with words of hope. Be very patient as you do these things. Teach them carefully. (Be ready to tell others that Jesus loves them.) There is one more piece of equipment that we have to help us: the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the missing piece that is always at work and helps to draw people to Jesus. We want to follow Jesus and live for Him in a way that we also become a one of His disciples. (Review the message and memory verse.) Memory Work Fun 1. Recite the memory verse. 2. Practice finding the Bible text in the Bible! (Old or New Testament?) 3. Name the three parts of the Holy Trinity. 4. Lead the class in a prayer and ask God to help all of you be His disciples too. Activity Ideas Choose One Grades K-2 Go Fish Memory Verse Game: See: www.daniellesplace.com Login to the Resource Room Click on New Testament Click on Luke Scroll down to Luke 5 and click on Go Fish Scroll down the page to #4 Play Go Fish Game You will need to print out the net and fish patterns from the above website and prepare the game before class. The children will use this fun activity to remember their memory verse for the lesson. Please see the above website for detailed instructions.
Page4 Activity Ideas - Continued Choose One Grades K-2 Continued Throw Out Your Nets : See: www.kidssundayschool.com Preschool Crafts Throw Out Your Nets You will need mesh or netting (orange color or use onion bags), light blue and orange construction paper, various colored paper for the fish, markers/crayons, scissors and glue, along with a template for the fish and boat for this activity. The children will create a Bible scene showing how Jesus miraculously helped His disciples catch many fish. Please see the above website for detailed instructions. Use the memory verse from this lesson instead of what is listed in the activity. Grades 3-5 The Twelve Disciples File Folder Review See: www.daniellesplace.com Login to the Resource Room Click on New Testament Click on Matthew Scroll down to Matthew 9:9 and click on The Twelve Disciples (Older Children) Scroll all the way down the page to #2 Twelve Disciples File Folder Review You will need craft sticks (optional), file folders, and exacto knife (adult use only), glue or tape, scissors, paper or card stock, and colored pencils for this activity. There are a few options for this activity. Before class you will need to print out the patterns and make copies. Please see the above website for detailed instructions and options for the activity. Follow Jesus Bible Activity: See: www.kidssundayschool.com Grade School Activities Follow Jesus You will need a sheet of paper (8 ½ x 11 ) and an envelope for each child, along with pencils or markers and Bibles for this activity. This activity will allow children to use scripture to discover how they can follow Jesus at school, at home and at church. Please see the above website for detailed instructions. The Twelve Apostles : See: www.kidssundayschool.com Grade School Puzzles The Twelve Apostles You will need a puzzle for each child, along with highlighters or markers for this activity. The children will complete the puzzle to find out why the Apostles followed Jesus. Please see the above website for detailed instructions and the puzzle worksheet. Journal Optional Grades K-2 Draw a picture of yourself telling others about Jesus. What do you love most about Jesus? Write about it. Grades 3-5 (Choose One) Are you a disciple of Jesus? Why or why not? Write about it. What things can you do to help draw others to Jesus? Write about it.
Page5 Homework Ideas - Read at home with a grownup the lesson titled Water into Wine (John 2:1-12). - Learn the memory verse: Whatever He says to you, do it. --John 2:5 - Work on memorizing commandment #. - Complete the Water into Wine coloring and activity sheet as your parents read you the Sunday School Lesson. Return your coloring page for a sticker. - What is your favorite magic trick? If you don t have one, ask your parents or a friend about theirs. Be ready to share. Other Resources http://children.cccm.com/curriculum/ New Testament Lesson 219 Support Curriculum
Role Play Page6
Musical Option Fishers of Men Page7
Musical Option Fishers of Men Page8
Page9 Coloring Page Name: Water into Wine Whatever He says to you, do it. --John 2:5
Page10 Take Home Page: Fishers of Men Today I learned Today your child learned that Jesus wants us to be His disciples! The children explored the story of how Jesus chose His disciples. They also talked about how we can become fishers of men by following Jesus teachings and choosing to share our love for Him with others. Help me learn my memory verse Then He said to them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. --Matthew 4:19 (NKJV) Ask me 1. What happened in today s Bible story? 2. What is a disciple? 3. How can we help others to want to follow Jesus too? Live Your Faith As a family, trace each other s feet on pieces of paper. Inside each foot, write or draw pictures of ways you can be a disciple of Jesus too. Then say a prayer together and ask God to help you follow Him and lead others to Him.