Welcome to YOUTH FOR CHRIST Finish the Sentence: One important thing my family does together is One belief I have about life is One important habit I want to keep is One important decision I need to make is One important thing that I like about being with this group is Its important to know what we value in life, or to know our priorities. This allows us to make decisions based on what we value and to count the cost of doing something (deciding whether its truly worth doing). Are you really going to make loving God and loving others THE most important priority in your life? Luke 5:1-4 One day as Jesus was preachinggreat crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the waters edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon (Peter), its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish. New Living Translation Luke 5:5-7 Master, Simon replied, we worked hard all last night and didnt catch a thing. But if you say so, Ill let the nets down again. And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. New Living Translation Luke 5:8-11 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, Oh, Lord, please leave meIm too much of a sinner to be around you. For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, Dont be afraid! From now on youll be fishing for people! And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. New Living Translation Why did Jesus tell Simon (Peter) to put his fishing nets back into the water? Why do you think God performed a miracle through Jesus at this moment? Do you think it was easy for Peter to leave everything and follow Jesus? Why or why not? What did Jesus mean by, from now on youll be fishing for people ? Mark 1:17-18 Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men. At once they left their nets and followed him. New International Version Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men. How would it make you feel if Jesus stood before you and said this? Does anything scare you about that statement? Does anything in that statement give you hope? What is Jesus promising in this statement? Nets keep us from all that God has planned for us and they keep us from loving God and loving others. What is the net in your life? in other words What keeps you from fully following God in your life? God wants us to make Him our first and most important priority. He wants our complete attention. He wants us to follow Him without nets getting in the way.