BOTTOM LINE: Religious thinking expects big steps. Jesus thinking takes baby steps.

1. Jesus sees my potential more than my past.

2. Jesus wants to use my boat.

3. The next baby step won't always make sense.

4. My job is to take the step. Jesus' job is to produce the results.

5. Baby steps lead to bigger steps.

Start Talking

When have you wanted to take the "big" step to get something accomplished, or maybe assumed the "big" step is what was expected or needed, but found out the real way to make it work was "baby steps"? What happened when you tried or expected the "big" step first? What was challenging or even frustrating about the "baby steps"?

Start Thinking

Read Luke 5:1-2. Why do you think the fishermen were working instead of listening to Jesus with the crowds? What are the things that might keep people today from joining the crowd to experience Jesus? What are the religious expectations we may place on them or they may place on themselves?

Read Luke 5:3. Why did Jesus ask Peter to take this specific baby step? What do you notice that Jesus did not ask Peter to do? What could have been the reasons that Peter said no to this baby step? And what would Peter have missed out on if he said no to this first baby step?

Why do you think Jesus started with this small of a step for Peter instead of something that we might consider more "meaningful" or difference-making?

Start Sharing

Read Luke 5:4-7. What was a baby step that you have taken in your faith journey that seemed inconsequential, but it led to a bigger step of trusting Jesus to go "deeper"? What was the "boat" that you used - the resource, ability, time that you already had to be used by God?

How did you experience that the results are up to Jesus? Did you get the results you expected? Even if you didn't, what was the real purpose for YOU in taking the step? How did your faith and trust in Jesus grow as you continued taking those steps?

Read Luke 5:8-11. When have you experienced Jesus in your life in a way that made you feel unworthy or unqualified? How do you relate to Peter telling Jesus to "leave him" because of that? What do the words of Jesus saying, "Don't be afraid" in response to this mean to you?

Start Doing

What is the next step you feel like the Holy Spirit is wanting you to take so that you can be used by God in some way to make a difference?

When you think about living on mission and making a difference in the spiritual lives of those where you live, work, and play, what is a baby step you can take in a relationship that you already have? No matter how small it may seem, remember Jesus' word - don't be afraid! Don't be afraid to take it and don't be afraid to share it with your micro church!

Start Praying

Pray for each person's next step that was shared. Pray that each person sees themselves as Jesus does - as someone with a potential that is far greater than their past!