Bible Story Lessons

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

Simon stared at Jesus and answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night long and we haven't caught a thing!  Would you have obeyed Jesus? (Let the children respond).  But, Peter answered, because You say so, I'll let down the nets."

And so they lowered the nets over the side, with Simon probably grumbling under his breath to Andrew his brother, "He's a teacher, but what does He know about fishing?"  Little did Simon know that the Creator of the world was in his boat and to please Jesus, just about every fish in the lake was going to try and jump into that net!

It's always wise to obey Jesus because He knows what is best for us.   Simon gasped when he saw silvery fish leaping into his net.   More and more came until the net was just a mass of wriggling fish.   "I've caught everything!" he shouted, but then was horrified when the net began to break!

"Too many!" he yelled as he and Andrew tried to grab every side of the net at the same time.  "Help!" he screamed to his partners in the other boat, "Come and help us or we're going to lose our net!"

Their partners, James and John, rowed over as fast as they could and came up with a splash of oars.  Their eyes nearly popped out when they saw Simon knee-deep in fish.  "Quick," he gasped, "Help me and Andrew pull in the net!"  They struggled to pull the net over the side of the boat.  Soon both boats were so full of fish that water started to pour in 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!"  Do you think that Jesus should have chased away Peter, because he had denied Jesus three times? (Let the children respond).

Jesus already knew that Peter was sinful, and needed to be forgiven, and have his heart cleansd.  Yes, Jesus had a great plan for Simon's life.  Do you think that Jesus also has a great plan for each of one of us today? (Let the children respond).

What did Jesus do?  He just looked lovingly at that rough fisherman and gently said:

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

Simon must have pointed at himself and said, "Who me Lord?" and Jesus just smiled and nodded.  And so Simon, who became the Apostle Peter, slowly rowed ashore.  With his brother Andrew, and with James and John, they pulled their boats up onto the beach and left them - boats, nets, fish and all!  And they followed Jesus and went on to become His disciples and to serve Him for the rest of their lives.

Jesus wants to make each one of you into a "Fisher of Men" or rather a " Fisher of Kids" by telling other children that God loves them.  You can tell them that you asked Jesus to come into your heart, and that He made you into one of God's children.  You can pray and care for your friends and soon some of them will come to love Jesus!

As we finish, are you a just fish wriggling in a net, or are you going to be a "Fisher of Kids" for Jesus?  I hope you are, so let's pray and ask Jesus to make you into a great Fisherman or Fisherwoman!

God bless.