SUNDAY SCHOOL @ HOME – 3rd Sunday after Epiphany (January 22, 2023)

Bible Passage (Matthew 4:12-23)

Today we hear about Jesus calling 4 of his disciples.  Watch the video to hear how it happened.

Read:

In our gospel for today from St. Matthew, Jesus is walking by the Sea of Galilee and he sees two brothers whose jobs are that they catch fish and then sell them in the market.  These brothers are Simon (who is also called Peter) and Andrew.  Jesus says to Simon Peter and Andrew, “Follow me and you will fish for people.”  Simon Peter and Andrew left what they were doing and followed Jesus.

Then Jesus saw two more brothers who also fished for a living.  These brothers were James and John.  They were fixing their fishing nets.  Their father, Zebedee, was in their boat.  Jesus called them to follow him.  They immediately left everything, including their father in the boat, and followed Jesus.

These 4 – Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John – became the first of Jesus’ 12 disciples – Jesus followers who helped him spread the good news of God’s love and healing for all people.  Jesus gave them a new job – a big job – to share the good news of God’s love.  We are disciples, too!  We can share the good news of Jesus with everyone we meet.

Some people were surprised that Jesus chose people who caught fish for a living to do such an important job.  But it didn’t matter to Jesus.  He didn’t want anyone to be left out.  Jesus invites us, too, and wants us to let others know that everyone is part of the family of God.

 

Discuss

  • How do you think Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John felt when Jesus called them to follow him?
  • Why do you think Jesus chose different kinds of people to be his disciples?
  • As Jesus’ disciple today, what do you think Jesus wants you to do?

Song

I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Down in My Heart.  Listener Kids.

Activity

Jesus said to Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who caught fish for a living, that from now on they would fish for people.  He meant that instead of catching fish, they would be sharing the good news of God’s love with people.  Make a fish shaped craft to remind you that you are a disciple who is to “fish for people” by sharing the good news of Jesus.  Use pony beads and a pipe cleaner.

Activity

Play a simple game of “Follow the Leader.”  The leader gets to be Jesus and the followers are disciples.

 

Prayer

God, you call us to follow Jesus and to share the good news of your love with everyone.  Help us to do that every day, everywhere, with everyone we meet.  Amen.

 

Pastor Dan Fugate, Assistant to the Bishop for Discipleship in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA, put this lesson together for Sunday School @ Home.    Contact him at [email protected].