Family Devotional Lesson: The Call of the Disciples

Family Worship Lesson on Matthew 4:18-22

Justin Hoke

7/18/20242 min read

Family Devotional Lesson: The Call of the Disciples

Scripture Passage: Matthew 4:18-22

Opening Prayer: "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for gathering us together to study your Word. Help us to understand the calling of your disciples and how we can follow Jesus in our daily lives. Open our hearts and minds to your truth. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."

Introduction: Today, we will look at how Jesus called His first disciples and what it means to follow Him. This story will help us understand the importance of responding to Jesus' call and living as His disciples.

Reading the Scripture: Read Matthew 4:18-22 aloud. Encourage family members to take turns reading the verses.

Context and Explanation:

  • Setting: Jesus begins His ministry in Galilee.

  • Main Characters: Jesus, Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John.

  • The Call: Jesus calls Peter and Andrew while they are fishing, saying, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." He calls James and John while they are mending their nets.

  • The Response: All four men immediately leave their nets and follow Jesus.

Discussion Points:

  1. The Call of Jesus:

    • Jesus calls ordinary fishermen to be His disciples, showing that He can use anyone for His purposes.

    • Discuss: What does it mean to be a "fisher of men"? How does Jesus' call to these fishermen apply to us today?

  2. Immediate Obedience:

    • The disciples immediately leave their nets and follow Jesus without hesitation.

    • Discuss: Why is it important to respond quickly to Jesus' call? Have you ever felt God calling you to do something? How did you respond?

  3. Leaving Everything Behind:

    • The disciples leave their jobs, families, and familiar surroundings to follow Jesus.

    • Discuss: What might we need to leave behind to follow Jesus more closely? What are some challenges we face in following Jesus today?

  4. Living as Disciples:

    • Being a disciple means learning from Jesus, obeying His teachings, and helping others come to know Him.

    • Discuss: What are some ways we can live as disciples of Jesus in our everyday lives? How can we help others know about Jesus?

Activity: Fishers of Men

  • Supplies Needed: Paper, pens, and markers.

  • Instructions: Each family member draws a fish on a piece of paper and writes inside it one way they can share Jesus with others (e.g., inviting a friend to church, sharing a Bible verse, helping someone in need). Share these ideas with each other and discuss how to put them into action.

Closing Prayer: "Lord, thank you for calling us to be your disciples. Help us to follow you wholeheartedly, leaving behind anything that hinders us. Give us the courage to share your love with others and to live out our faith every day. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen."

Conclusion: This lesson on the call of the disciples encourages us to respond to Jesus' call promptly and wholeheartedly. It challenges us to consider what we might need to leave behind and how we can actively share the message of Jesus with those around us.