The Disciples Playlist

Jesus Calls the Disciples
This story is the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and calling his first disciples. Jesus invites the fishermen, Peter, Andrew, James, and John to drop their nets and follow him. “Immediately,” they leave everything, their families and their homes, and follow Jesus.

Start by reading the Bible Story or watching the video and going through the wondering/discussion questions. Then pick activities your family or small group would like to do, as many or few as you like. Close your time with prayer – use your own or the one provided.

Bible Story
Read Matthew 4: 18-22 in your favorite Bible. This story can also be found in Mark 1: 16-22, Luke 5: 2-11 and John 1: 35-42.

Wonder/Discussion Questions

For children

• I wonder how it felt to hear Jesus say “Follow me”?
• I wonder if it was hard to follow Jesus?
• I wonder how it felt to listen to Jesus teach?
• I wonder who else Jesus would like to have as a friend and to follow him?

For Youth and Adults

• Does Jesus’ calling to these particular men to be his followers seem surprising to you? Why or why not?
• Do you think it was an easy decision for them to make? Why or why not?
• Why is it significant that these men left their nets to follow Jesus? What might “leaving their nets” look like for a new believer today?

Prayer

God of love and light, you ask us to share your love with the whole world. Help us to always to do this in what we say and what we do just as your first disciples did. In Jesus name, Amen.