Now I have the Gospel reading: Matthew 4:12-23. This is about Jesus beginning his ministry in Galilee and calling the first disciples. Let me generate the Thursday chapel content.
Opening Prayer
Dear Jesus, you called fishermen to follow you. Help us hear your voice today. Amen.
Scripture: Matthew 4:18-22
One day Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee. He saw two brothers—Simon Peter and Andrew—throwing a fishing net into the water. They were fishermen. That was their job.
Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.”
Right away—immediately—they dropped their nets and followed him.
A little farther down the shore, Jesus saw two more brothers, James and John. They were sitting in a boat with their father Zebedee, fixing their fishing nets. Jesus called to them too.
Immediately they left the boat. They left their father. And they followed Jesus.
What This Means
Imagine you’re playing with your favorite toy. Maybe it’s your best Lego set or your stuffed animal. And someone walks by and says, “Come with me. I have something better.” Would you drop everything and go?
That’s basically what happened to Peter, Andrew, James, and John. They had jobs. They had boats and nets—the tools they needed to make money for their families. James and John had their dad right there in the boat with them!
And Jesus just walked by and said two words: “Follow me.”
He didn’t explain where they were going. He didn’t promise them money or fame. He didn’t even know them very well yet. He just said, “Follow me.”
And here’s the strange part: they went. Immediately. They didn’t say, “Let me think about it.” They didn’t say, “Can I finish this one thing first?” They didn’t even say goodbye properly.
Why? Because when Jesus calls, something happens in your heart. You can tell this isn’t just another person asking you to do something. This is the person. The one you’ve been waiting for without even knowing it.
Peter and Andrew left their nets in a pile on the beach. James and John left their dad sitting in the boat, probably very confused.
Jesus didn’t call important people. Fishermen weren’t rich or famous. They smelled like fish. Their hands were rough. Nobody would have picked them for anything special.
But Jesus did. He picks the people nobody else would pick. That’s how he works.
Let’s Talk About It
Eberley: Jesus didn’t interview these guys. He didn’t ask to see their resumes. What does that tell us about how Jesus chooses people? What does it say about how we become followers of Jesus—is it something we earn?
Eberley: The disciples had to leave things behind—nets, boats, even family. What kinds of things might get in the way of following Jesus today? What’s hard to let go of?
Sonja: How do you think Zebedee felt when his two sons suddenly got out of the boat and walked away? What would you feel if that happened?
Sonja: The disciples were doing normal, everyday work when Jesus called them. Where might Jesus find you in your everyday life?
Dahlia & Freddy: What were the fishermen catching in their nets?
Dahlia & Freddy: When Jesus said “Follow me,” did the fishermen go with him or stay with their fish?
Remember This
When Jesus calls, he doesn’t wait—and he doesn’t pick people because they’re special.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, you called ordinary fishermen to do extraordinary things. Thank you that you call us too—not because we’re perfect, but because you love us. Help us hear your voice and follow you, even when it’s hard to let go of other things. Amen.
Memory Verse
“Follow me.” — Matthew 4:19