Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus.
Peter exclaimed, “Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials —one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified.
Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, when they looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus with them.
As they went back down the mountain, he told them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept it to themselves, but they often asked each other what he meant by “rising from the dead.”
Then they asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes? ”
Jesus responded, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. Yet why do the Scriptures say that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be treated with utter contempt? But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they chose to abuse him, just as the Scriptures predicted.”
Discussion Questions
Mark describes the disciples as terrified. What other emotions would they have been experiencing?
If you had experienced Jesus in this way. What doubts would you no longer struggle with?
In light of this story, how should we change the way we speak of Jesus and interact with him?
Prayer Requests
At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.
One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.
A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.
‘The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.
Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them.
They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
“Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ” ).
Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter” ).
The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown.
Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”
“Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.
As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”
“How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”
Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth. ”’
‘One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, 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.”
“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll 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.
When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 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, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. ‘
Discussion Questions
What are some of the costs and benefits of following Jesus?
What questions do you have about Jesus that you would like answered?
With whom or where can you find the answer?
Prayer Requests
At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.
Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.” At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God. ” Then Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.” He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.
Questions
In what area has God challenged you to grow and change?
How did that change come about or how did you avoid it?
If Jesus were to ask you, “are you going to leave me too?” How would you answer and how would you convince him of that answer?
Prayer Requests
At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.
Jon: You are listening to the discussion episode for the story, “Come and see for yourself.”
Bradon: John the Baptist pointed out Jesus as the Messiah. Andrew starts chatting with Jesus then runs to find his brother Simon to bring him to meet Jesus. Jesus then gives Simon the nickname or new name of Peter, which means Rock! Next, Phillip meets Jesus, and then he runs back to find his buddy Nathaniel who is skeptical that anything good comes from Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth. Again Jesus makes a great first impression, and Nathaniel is convinced that Jesus is the Messiah. All four guys become disciples of Jesus because they all went to see for themselves if it was true – if Jesus was the Messiah!
If you follow Jesus with courage, it can be scary. I know that sentence sounds a bit funny, but it’s true—the more courage we often need, the more terrifying the situation. We often find our security in the provision vs the provider. When we do this, it makes following Jesus pretty scary and hard!
Listen to the drastic decision the first disciples made to follow Jesus with courage. They left everything, including a lot of fish, which for them would have been as good as money since they were professional fishermen. To say this would have been scary would be an understatement – it was terrifying!
There is nothing more important than following Jesus. At times it will probably be scary, but you can do it with courage. Be sure to listen to the discussion questions, and be sure to download the discussion guide! There you will hear me talk about finding our courage in our provider, not in his provision.
There is nothing more important than following Jesus.
Questions!
Name one person in your life that you admire for the way they follow Jesus. What is something you can learn from their example?
Sometimes to leave behind things in our lives to follow Jesus is scary. Talk about some of the fears you have in leaving everything to follow Jesus as Peter did.
Talk with each other about valuing our provider, God, more than his provision.
Prayer Requests
At the end of your discussion, go around the group and ask for prayer requests.
Tips and Tricks for leading a discussion
Ask additional questions to help expand people’s thoughts.
Let people think in silence. Wait for them to respond.
Repeat the last three words of someone’s statement turning it into a question.
Growth Tip
Who are people in your life that you look up to? People that are great at following Jesus. People that are an example of how to follow Jesus!
You can pray to begin your relationship with Jesus!
Jesus, I need you. Forgive my sinful mistakes. I am giving you control of my life. Thank you for your love! Amen
