Active Christians Today at The University of Toledo
Bible Study ~ “The Most Unlikely" ~ Matthew 4:18-22
Our study in Matthew will show us how he structured his account of Christ as a new Torah with Jesus at the center. It is divided into five sections that each conclude with “when Jesus had finished saying these things” or something similar. Those words describe the power and impact of the words of Christ and what they mean for us today.
Locations & Times
Delta Church of Christ
2018 Bretton Pl, Toledo, OH 43606, USA
Wednesday 7:00 PM
We’ve seen that the requirement for discipleship is repentance. Next, we see Jesus calling people from different walks of life to repent, to turn from their own agendas and join the mission of His kingdom. He calls the most unlikely to join Him!
Opening Questions
If you could pass on some skill or knowledge to an apprentice, what would you want to pass on?
What kind of leader do you prefer to follow?
If you were to set up a team, what kind of people would you choose? Who would be the person or people you would most likely NOT choose?
What are some examples of well-functioning teams?
If you could pass on some skill or knowledge to an apprentice, what would you want to pass on?
What kind of leader do you prefer to follow?
If you were to set up a team, what kind of people would you choose? Who would be the person or people you would most likely NOT choose?
What are some examples of well-functioning teams?
Unpack the Text
Jesus intentionally ministered in Galilee, the land of Gentiles (Matt. 4:12–15). How does this connect with what we learned about certain women in Jesus’ genealogy?
What is the definition of a disciple?
A disciple was an adherent or follower of a master, an intimate companion in some common endeavor, often learning and promoting a particular ideology.
Jesus intentionally ministered in Galilee, the land of Gentiles (Matt. 4:12–15). How does this connect with what we learned about certain women in Jesus’ genealogy?
What is the definition of a disciple?
A disciple was an adherent or follower of a master, an intimate companion in some common endeavor, often learning and promoting a particular ideology.
Where did these particular events take place? (4:18)
What did these brothers do for a living? (4:18)
Why do think Jesus chose to pick disciples in Galilee? Where would it seemed to have made more sense to pick disciples? Why would these guys be the “most unlikely” to be selected?
Who did Jesus see as He walked by? (4:18)
What nickname did one of Jesus’ new disciples have? (4:18) Why do you believe a nickname was given?
What were Simon and Andrew doing when Jesus approached them? (4:18)
What did these brothers do for a living? (4:18)
Why do think Jesus chose to pick disciples in Galilee? Where would it seemed to have made more sense to pick disciples? Why would these guys be the “most unlikely” to be selected?
Who did Jesus see as He walked by? (4:18)
What nickname did one of Jesus’ new disciples have? (4:18) Why do you believe a nickname was given?
What were Simon and Andrew doing when Jesus approached them? (4:18)
What exactly did Jesus say to Simon and Andrew? (4:19)
What does the word “follow” mean in our culture?
What does the word “follow” mean when Jesus says it?
Is “follow me” a request or a demand?
What do you think it means to live with radical abandonment? Is Jesus is talking about radical abandonment?
How do people generally become followers of a particular leader?
In Old and New Testament times, the standard procedure for following involved a person asking to follow the master of their choice. They see someone named Matilda speaking, want to follow Matilda (becoming Matildians, of course) and so they ask Matilda if they could follow. Is this what happened with Jesus? Why do you think Jesus chose this method to select His disciples?
There may be an Old Testament reason for Jesus’ behavior. We read about the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 19:19-21 and his call to follow.
What does the word “follow” mean in our culture?
What does the word “follow” mean when Jesus says it?
Is “follow me” a request or a demand?
What do you think it means to live with radical abandonment? Is Jesus is talking about radical abandonment?
How do people generally become followers of a particular leader?
In Old and New Testament times, the standard procedure for following involved a person asking to follow the master of their choice. They see someone named Matilda speaking, want to follow Matilda (becoming Matildians, of course) and so they ask Matilda if they could follow. Is this what happened with Jesus? Why do you think Jesus chose this method to select His disciples?
There may be an Old Testament reason for Jesus’ behavior. We read about the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 19:19-21 and his call to follow.
Elijah “cast his cloak” on Elisha. What is the significance of this?
Did Elijah expect obedience on the part of Elisha? Why or why not?
What did Elisha ask to do first? Is his commitment any less because he asked? Why or why not?
Elijah seemed to expect radical abandonment. How did Elisha prove this by his actions?
With the command to “follow me,” Jesus gives us a primary way of describing what it means to be his disciple. However, what does this mean to us today? What would radical abandonment look like in our own lives?
In the case of the disciples, it is likely they knew Old Testament history and passed down the stories of Elijah, Abraham and so many more. How might that have influenced their choice to follow Jesus?
Like Abraham, who left his family and country to go to a place promised by God, and like Samuel, who said, “Speak, for your servant hears” (1 Sam. 3:10), the disciples followed in the footsteps of their faithful ancestors and heeded God’s call.
Let’s read it again...
Did Elijah expect obedience on the part of Elisha? Why or why not?
What did Elisha ask to do first? Is his commitment any less because he asked? Why or why not?
Elijah seemed to expect radical abandonment. How did Elisha prove this by his actions?
With the command to “follow me,” Jesus gives us a primary way of describing what it means to be his disciple. However, what does this mean to us today? What would radical abandonment look like in our own lives?
In the case of the disciples, it is likely they knew Old Testament history and passed down the stories of Elijah, Abraham and so many more. How might that have influenced their choice to follow Jesus?
Like Abraham, who left his family and country to go to a place promised by God, and like Samuel, who said, “Speak, for your servant hears” (1 Sam. 3:10), the disciples followed in the footsteps of their faithful ancestors and heeded God’s call.
Let’s read it again...
Jesus defines their task in terms of the evangelistic mission: “and I will make you fishers of men” (v. 19; see also Matt. 28:19). Note two or three practical things you can do in your life to follow Jesus as a missionary disciple.
If you wanted to get the word out fast about your mission (whatever it may be), people from which occupation would be your first choice? Why?
Jesus didn’t choose celebrities with money and influence. He didn’t choose social media influencers. He didn’t choose politicians with connections or CEOs of Fortune 500 companies with excellent leadership and managerial traits. Instead, He chose two sets of brothers who were all fishermen. WHY? WHY? WHY?
If you wanted to get the word out fast about your mission (whatever it may be), people from which occupation would be your first choice? Why?
Jesus didn’t choose celebrities with money and influence. He didn’t choose social media influencers. He didn’t choose politicians with connections or CEOs of Fortune 500 companies with excellent leadership and managerial traits. Instead, He chose two sets of brothers who were all fishermen. WHY? WHY? WHY?
What was Simon and Andrew’s response to Jesus’ words? (4:20)
How long did Simon and Andrew deliberate over Jesus’ offer? (4:20)
How long did Simon and Andrew deliberate over Jesus’ offer? (4:20)
Whom did Jesus see next? (4:21)
Who was Zebedee? (4:21)
In what activity were James and John involved? (4:21)
What did Jesus do when He saw the two brothers, James and John? (4:21)
Who was Zebedee? (4:21)
In what activity were James and John involved? (4:21)
What did Jesus do when He saw the two brothers, James and John? (4:21)
How did James and John react to Jesus’ challenge? (4:22)
Is there a particular “profile”of those who choose to be followers of Christ (including those who follow Him today)? Why or why not?
Because Jesus calls everyone to repent, there is no specific “profile” that describes followers of Jesus. The only qualification is repentant faith in Jesus Christ. He calls people from all backgrounds and every imaginable way of life. Anyone who responds to His call will be saved and assured of a place in the family of God.
What does this say about Jesus’ call to you?
Is there a particular “profile”of those who choose to be followers of Christ (including those who follow Him today)? Why or why not?
Because Jesus calls everyone to repent, there is no specific “profile” that describes followers of Jesus. The only qualification is repentant faith in Jesus Christ. He calls people from all backgrounds and every imaginable way of life. Anyone who responds to His call will be saved and assured of a place in the family of God.
What does this say about Jesus’ call to you?
It is encouraging to know that we don’t have to be super–duper saints to be used by Him. ~ J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary
Your Story
What does it mean to be a "fisher of men"?
How risky was it for Peter, Andrew, James, and John to drop everything (jobs and families) to go with Jesus?
What thoughts do you think were racing through their minds as they headed off down the beach with Jesus?
How do you think you might have responded had you been fishing with these men and heard Jesus direct this challenge to you?
What are some reasons people make career changes?
How do you think Jesus calls people into the ministry today?
What do you think Jesus saw in these men?
Why did Jesus handpick blue-collar fishermen to be the leaders of the Christian church?
For what would you be willing to leave your family and go far away?
What possessions, goals, dreams, or relationships are keeping you from following Jesus wholeheartedly today?
What does it mean for us to follow Jesus?
What does it mean for you to follow Jesus?
What does it mean to be a "fisher of men"?
How risky was it for Peter, Andrew, James, and John to drop everything (jobs and families) to go with Jesus?
What thoughts do you think were racing through their minds as they headed off down the beach with Jesus?
How do you think you might have responded had you been fishing with these men and heard Jesus direct this challenge to you?
What are some reasons people make career changes?
How do you think Jesus calls people into the ministry today?
What do you think Jesus saw in these men?
Why did Jesus handpick blue-collar fishermen to be the leaders of the Christian church?
For what would you be willing to leave your family and go far away?
What possessions, goals, dreams, or relationships are keeping you from following Jesus wholeheartedly today?
What does it mean for us to follow Jesus?
What does it mean for you to follow Jesus?
Apply it to Your Life
In what area of your life will you follow Jesus more consciously this week?
What can you do or stop doing today in order to become a more expert "fisher of men"?
In what area of your life will you follow Jesus more consciously this week?
What can you do or stop doing today in order to become a more expert "fisher of men"?
Praise & Prayer