Day 1
Faith Fact
I can make a difference!
Faith Verse
"Again He said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." John 20:21
Read:
How can you make yourself available for Jesus?
Luke 5:1–3
Simon Peter was doing his job as a fisherman. Scrubbing and cleaning nets was hard work! But then, he had an encounter that changed everything. Jesus told Simon Peter to push his boat into the water so that others could hear His teaching. Simon Peter could have said no because he was too busy. There were many other important things that this hard-working fisherman had to do. Instead, he made his boat and his heart available for Jesus.
There are always many things we can be doing. Homework, chores, and practices fill our daily routine. Most of these things we need to do are necessary and good! When Jesus speaks to our heart, we must be willing to put down our nets like Simon Peter did and make our life available for what Jesus wants from us. Making a difference starts with being available. Like Simon Peter, we let Jesus use what we have to do great things.
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for the good things that You have given me. I want to use them to bring glory to Your name. I am available to do what You are calling me to do. Help me to hear Your call so I can follow You with my whole heart. I love You, Jesus! Amen.
I can make a difference!
Faith Verse
"Again He said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." John 20:21
Read:
How can you make yourself available for Jesus?
Luke 5:1–3
Simon Peter was doing his job as a fisherman. Scrubbing and cleaning nets was hard work! But then, he had an encounter that changed everything. Jesus told Simon Peter to push his boat into the water so that others could hear His teaching. Simon Peter could have said no because he was too busy. There were many other important things that this hard-working fisherman had to do. Instead, he made his boat and his heart available for Jesus.
There are always many things we can be doing. Homework, chores, and practices fill our daily routine. Most of these things we need to do are necessary and good! When Jesus speaks to our heart, we must be willing to put down our nets like Simon Peter did and make our life available for what Jesus wants from us. Making a difference starts with being available. Like Simon Peter, we let Jesus use what we have to do great things.
Talk About It:
- Question 1. What was Simon Peter’s job?
Answer 1. A fisherman - Question 2. What did Jesus ask Simon Peter to do?
Answer 2. Push his boat out in the water (Luke 5:3) - Question 3. Why do you think Simon Peter stopped everything to do what Jesus asked?
Answer 3. Answers will vary. - Question 4. What are some things in your life that make you busy?
Answer 4. Answers will vary. - Question 5. How can you make yourself available for Jesus?
Answer 5. Answers will vary."
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for the good things that You have given me. I want to use them to bring glory to Your name. I am available to do what You are calling me to do. Help me to hear Your call so I can follow You with my whole heart. I love You, Jesus! Amen.
Day 2
Faith Fact
I can make a difference!
Faith Verse
"Again He said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." John 20:21
Read:
When I say yes to Jesus, how does that make a difference?
Luke 5:4–6
Simon Peter had already made himself available to Jesus. But, Jesus had even more in store for Simon Peter. The night before, Simon Peter, his brother Andrew, and his friends James and John did not catch one fish. (We know that Peter’s brother Andrew was there from other places in the Gospels like Mark 2:16.) Not a single one! This meant that they would not get any money for their families from selling fish. After a long night with no fish, the last thing they wanted to do was to go back and try again. Yet Simon Peter did what Jesus asked. This encounter with Jesus made Simon Peter want to try one more time. Because Simon Peter chose to say yes to Jesus, he got the biggest catch of fish in his life!
Sometimes what Jesus wants us to do doesn’t make sense to us or is a challenge. You may feel a nudge to talk about Jesus to someone you don’t know. You may have a thought to pray for someone who has hurt you. You may have an idea to raise money for missionaries or may even feel a call to be a missionary to a country far away. Jesus wants us to say yes. When we do, we know that God will use our yes to reach more people for Jesus than we can imagine. Our yes to Jesus’ call in things great and small makes the biggest difference of all.
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, Wow! You are so good to us. Thank You for using our yes to make a huge difference in the world. Even when following You doesn’t make sense, it gives me joy to follow You so that many more can know You too. Amen.
I can make a difference!
Faith Verse
"Again He said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." John 20:21
Read:
When I say yes to Jesus, how does that make a difference?
Luke 5:4–6
Simon Peter had already made himself available to Jesus. But, Jesus had even more in store for Simon Peter. The night before, Simon Peter, his brother Andrew, and his friends James and John did not catch one fish. (We know that Peter’s brother Andrew was there from other places in the Gospels like Mark 2:16.) Not a single one! This meant that they would not get any money for their families from selling fish. After a long night with no fish, the last thing they wanted to do was to go back and try again. Yet Simon Peter did what Jesus asked. This encounter with Jesus made Simon Peter want to try one more time. Because Simon Peter chose to say yes to Jesus, he got the biggest catch of fish in his life!
Sometimes what Jesus wants us to do doesn’t make sense to us or is a challenge. You may feel a nudge to talk about Jesus to someone you don’t know. You may have a thought to pray for someone who has hurt you. You may have an idea to raise money for missionaries or may even feel a call to be a missionary to a country far away. Jesus wants us to say yes. When we do, we know that God will use our yes to reach more people for Jesus than we can imagine. Our yes to Jesus’ call in things great and small makes the biggest difference of all.
Talk About It:
- Question 1. How many fish did Simon Peter catch the night before he met Jesus?
Answer 1. Zero (Luke 5:5) - Question 2. What do you think Simon Peter was thinking when Jesus told him to go back and fish some more?
Answer 2. Answers will vary. - Question 3. What happened when Simon Peter let his nets down in the water?
Answer 3. The nets were so full that they began to tear. (Luke 5:6) - Question 4. When it doesn’t make sense, why should we still follow Jesus?
Answer 4. Answers will vary. - Question 5. When I say yes to Jesus, how does that make a difference?
Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, Wow! You are so good to us. Thank You for using our yes to make a huge difference in the world. Even when following You doesn’t make sense, it gives me joy to follow You so that many more can know You too. Amen.
Day 3
Faith Fact
I can make a difference!
Faith Verse
"Again He said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." John 20:21
Read:
Why is following Jesus the GREATEST gift of all?
Luke 5:7–10
A miracle happened! Simon Peter did what Jesus asked. Then, the huge catch of fish weighed his boat down so much that it almost sank. This was a huge reason to rejoice. Simon Peter fell on his knees before Jesus. Simon called himself a sinful man. He also realized how amazing Jesus was. Simon Peter’s life had changed in an instant because of Jesus.
There are lots of blessings, or good things, we will receive in this life. However, none of them will ever compare to following Jesus. What the world has to offer us may seem great. It could make us very happy for a short time. But, if we follow Jesus like Simon Peter did, we will see God’s miracles at work in our life. Following Jesus is the greatest life because He is always with us and He is always there to help us.
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for all of the amazing blessings that You have given me. Not one of them is greater than You! Let my heart always remember that You are the Great Provider and will supply all my needs as I follow You. You are so good! I love You. Amen.
I can make a difference!
Faith Verse
"Again He said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." John 20:21
Read:
Why is following Jesus the GREATEST gift of all?
Luke 5:7–10
A miracle happened! Simon Peter did what Jesus asked. Then, the huge catch of fish weighed his boat down so much that it almost sank. This was a huge reason to rejoice. Simon Peter fell on his knees before Jesus. Simon called himself a sinful man. He also realized how amazing Jesus was. Simon Peter’s life had changed in an instant because of Jesus.
There are lots of blessings, or good things, we will receive in this life. However, none of them will ever compare to following Jesus. What the world has to offer us may seem great. It could make us very happy for a short time. But, if we follow Jesus like Simon Peter did, we will see God’s miracles at work in our life. Following Jesus is the greatest life because He is always with us and He is always there to help us.
Talk About It:
- Question 1. How did Simon Peter respond when he saw the miracle?
Answer 1. He fell to his knees before Jesus. (Luke 5:8) - Question 2. How would you feel looking at that miraculous catch of fish?
Answer 2. Answers will vary. - Question 3. Why do you think Peter said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man”?
Answer 3. Answers will vary. - Question 4. Why is Jesus greater than any blessing that we can receive from Him?
Answer 4. Answers will vary. - Question 5. Why is following Jesus the greatest life of all?
Answer 5. He is always with us; He helps us when we need it; He forgives our sins when we ask.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for all of the amazing blessings that You have given me. Not one of them is greater than You! Let my heart always remember that You are the Great Provider and will supply all my needs as I follow You. You are so good! I love You. Amen.
Day 4
Faith Fact
I can make a difference!
Faith Verse
"Again He said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." John 20:21
Read:
How can you share the good news of Jesus with others?
Luke 5:10–11
Simon Peter and his friends knew about catching fish. They had boats and nets. They knew how to sail on the sea. Then Jesus came and gave their lives new meaning and purpose. Jesus knew that Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John could be fishers of men. What does that mean? Because Jesus changed their life, their new job was to “catch” people and tell them how wonderful Jesus is! For Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John, this miracle moment was just the beginning of their mission. They left everything to follow Jesus! In the same way their lives had been changed, they now could tell others who needed to hear about Jesus.
Jesus can give your life a new, different meaning. Jesus helps us to start thinking differently. We get to see how good He is. We can start to understand how much He loves us. Our life becomes a journey with Jesus! This good news is for us, our friends, our family, and our neighbors. Now is the time to share this good news to make a difference in others. Let’s leave the old behind and get on a new mission for Jesus!
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for helping me to live differently. Thank You for giving me a new life in You. I am so excited about our journey together. Help me to share this good news with others. You are amazing, Jesus! Amen.
I can make a difference!
Faith Verse
"Again He said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." John 20:21
Read:
How can you share the good news of Jesus with others?
Luke 5:10–11
Simon Peter and his friends knew about catching fish. They had boats and nets. They knew how to sail on the sea. Then Jesus came and gave their lives new meaning and purpose. Jesus knew that Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John could be fishers of men. What does that mean? Because Jesus changed their life, their new job was to “catch” people and tell them how wonderful Jesus is! For Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John, this miracle moment was just the beginning of their mission. They left everything to follow Jesus! In the same way their lives had been changed, they now could tell others who needed to hear about Jesus.
Jesus can give your life a new, different meaning. Jesus helps us to start thinking differently. We get to see how good He is. We can start to understand how much He loves us. Our life becomes a journey with Jesus! This good news is for us, our friends, our family, and our neighbors. Now is the time to share this good news to make a difference in others. Let’s leave the old behind and get on a new mission for Jesus!
Talk About It:
- Question 1. What did Jesus say Simon Peter was now going to do?
Answer 1. Fish for people (Luke 5:10) - Question 2. How did Jesus change the lives of Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John?
Answer 2. They became followers of Jesus. (Luke 5:11) - Question 3. How has Jesus helped you to live differently?
Answer 3. Answers will vary. - Question 4. What do you think “fish for people” means?
Answer 4. Answers will vary. - Question 5. How can you share the good news of Jesus with others?
Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for helping me to live differently. Thank You for giving me a new life in You. I am so excited about our journey together. Help me to share this good news with others. You are amazing, Jesus! Amen.