Pilgrimage ––Strangely Ready ---February 22, 2015
Scripture: Luke 5:1-11(NIV)
Key Verses:Luke 5:1-11
One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken,and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Summary:For a long, long time the church has set aside 40 days leading up to Easter which isintended to be a spiritual journey to prepare for the celebration of the resurrection on Sunday mornings. It is a time when we can search our lives and the world as we journey to look for the places where God is longing to bring new life. The story of Simon Peter following Jesus helps to illustrate some things that may help us to prepare for the journey to discover God’s purpose and direction for our lives. First of all, Simon Peter was strangely ready for the journey. Second of all, they named the reasons not to go. Finally, they left things behind and followed Christ.
Discussion Starters:What images come to mind when you hear the word ‘pilgrimage’?
Read and Discuss
Unless otherwise noted, scriptures have been researched and referenced based on the New International Version (NIV); however any translation is perfectly acceptable to use for discussion.
1.Read Luke 5:1-11 again. Do you feel strangely ready to follow Jesus? What has prepared you for this journey? What are some reasons that you have not to follow Jesus? What might you need to leave behind to follow Christ?
2.Read Matthew 27:45-56. Read verse 55 again. What do you imagine these women would tell us about following Christ?
3.Read Psalm 119:105.This sermon series is an exploration into the pilgrimage that God invites us into that gives our lives purpose and direction. What ways is God’s Word a light for your path and a lamp to your feet as you follow Christ?
4.Read Isaiah 26:7-9. During this sermon series we are talking about a journey to find God’s purpose and direction for our lives. What do these verses say about God’s presence with us as we journey? What do these verse suggest we do as we journey with God? How will you be intention during the weeks leading up to Easter to wait and listen for God?