"Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together." (John 21:2closeJohn 21:2 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. (ESV) closeJohn 21:2closeJohn 21:2 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. (ESV) 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. (ESV) )
There were only seven of the disciples together in this setting; two of the disciples present are not named directly, two are known only by inference. This post Easter gathering resembles post Easter Sundays today; the attendance was terrible. For some reason, one of the worst attended Sundays of the year is the one following Easter. Apparently this tradition is Apostolic in origin. When we are planting new ministries, we often follow the attendance numbers very closely; perhaps too closely.
What lesson does this verse tell us about attendance numbers and the longevity of ministry? ____________________
"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing." (John 21:3closeJohn 21:3 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. (ESV) closeJohn 21:3closeJohn 21:3 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. (ESV) 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. (ESV) )
"I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them
The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon the Disciples (Acts 1:8closeActs 1:8 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (ESV) closeActs 1:8closeActs 1:8 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (ESV) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (ESV) ); Peter was working in his vocation- a fisherman. Pastors are men, just like any other; they are believers, filled with the Holy Spirit. If they were not Pastors, they would be fishermen or hold some other occupation. Peter was loved by Jesus as much when he fished as when he preached. Pastors have skills and talents that they could use if they were not called to Pray and Preach.
Are there any specific people that you are praying for, that they would enter full time ministry? ____________________
What challenges are they facing that might keep them from entering the ministry? ____________________
How much faith does it take to leave a way of earning an income that you understand, to trust in God; His gifts and His Church to provide a way of living for a man and his family that is considering entering full time ministry? _____________________
How can we make our full time Church workers feel more secure? __________________
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and they said, "We'll go with you.”
People follow leaders; sometimes to good, sometimes to bad. People are looking for leaders; there is a reason why God calls us “sheep”; sheep follow. Leaders often feel alone; because many times, they do not have the luxury of seeing someone to follow nearby. Peter and the disciples were dealing with loneliness on this day; they were glad to have seen the resurrected Christ, but they were alone at this time and they must have begun to understand that they would soon be absent in the body from Christ.
Just because people follow you doesn’t mean you are leading them in the right direction. But if no one is following you, then you are not a leader. Pastors must be apt to preach and teach.
Are there ministries that we can offer to our community to help the lonely? ____________________
When do people feel lonely in life? ____________________
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So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
One way that God calls men into the Pastoral office is by allowing their business to suffer. Martin Luther was on his way to law school when he was caught in a frightening storm; Luther hid in the woods and prayed (to a saint unfortunately); and made the proverbial deal with God- Luther promised God that if He took care of him in this situation, that he would serve God; the rest as they say, is history.
Why is it important for Pastors and those serving in ministry, to be humble? __________________
When considering a candidate for ministry, we are wise to investigate them; but when we see that they have not always had success in their vocation prior to the ministry, we would be wise to remember this text.
Jim Buckman
