One day Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, when He saw two boats and some fishermen who were mending their nets.  Jesus climbed into Simon's boat and said to him, "Please row out a little from the shore."  Peter did so, and then rested on the oars as Jesus began to teach the crowds of people.  When Jesus had finished, He turned to Simon and said, "Pull out into deep water, and let down your nets for a catch."

Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night long and haven't caught a thing, but because You say so, I'll let down the nets."   And so Peter rowed out as Jesus had said and lowered the nets over the side of the boat.  No doubt he probably grumbled under his breath, "What does He know about fishing?"

Is it always wise to obey Jesus? (Let the children respond).   Yes, it's always wise to obey Jesus as He knows what is best for us.   Simon gasped in amazement when he saw his net full of wriggling fish.  "I've caught everything!" he shouted to his partners and was horrified when his net began to break!  "Come and help me!" he yelled to James and John in the other boat, "Or we are going to lose our net."

They rowed over as hard as they could.  "Quick, help me pull in the net!" Peter shouted, and they struggled to pull the net over the side of the boat.  Jesus must have smiled as soon both boats were so full of fish that water started to pour in over the sides and the boats began to sink!

Simon Peter was astonished at the size of the catch of fish they had taken and so were his partners.  Falling down on his knees before Jesus he cried, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!"  Did Jesus turn away in disgust at the sight of this rude and sinful fisherman? (Let the children respond). The Bible says that we have all sinned and fallen short of God's standard.  That means we can never measure up to God's standard or hope being good will please Him.

But what did Jesus do?  He just looked lovingly at that rough fisherman and said:

"Don't be afraid - from now on you will catch men."

Simon slowly rowed ashore and with his brother Andrew, and James and John, they pulled the boats up onto the beach and left them - boats, fish, nets and all!  And they followed Jesus and became His disciples, and served Him for the rest of their lives.

Jesus wants to change our lives just as He changed Simon Peter and made him into a great preacher.  Jesus told us to go into the world and make disciples (Matthew 28:16-20).  He wants to make each one of you into a "Fisher of Men" by helping you tell others that God loves them.

You can tell them what God has done for you, and how Jesus came into your heart and changed you into one of God's children.  You can pray and care for your friends and it won't be long before some of them come to love Jesus!

Are you willing to be a "Fisher of Men"?  If you are, let's pray and ask Jesus to make you into one.

God bless!