read: Luke 5:1-11, 27-32
1. What about the sermon most impacted you or left you with questions?
2. The closest definition of a “discipler” can be found in Luke 6:40: “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” In other words, discipleship is training, not just of the mind, but of the whole life to be like the teacher. Discipleship is learning to become like the discipler.
a. How does this perspective change your understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus?
3. These two stories are about two very different people – Simon/Peter and Levi - and they have very little in common. Peter was a fisherman (making an honest living) and Levi was a tax collector (exploiting those who make an honest living). Yet, in this story, they both meet Jesus and become His disciples..
a. Despite their differences, what do they have in common when they encounter Jesus? (See v. 8 and v. 30) Do you find their reactions surprising? Why or why not?
b. What does it mean to admit that you are a sinner? How is knowing that you are a sinner different from just admitting that you are imperfect, or sometimes that you make mistakes?
4. When Peter got a glimpse of who Jesus really is, he did not get closer to Him with peace and tranquility. The opposite happened - Peter fell down and said “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man!” In the Bible, what happened to Peter here is what happens to everyone who gets a glimpse of God (Prophet Isaiah, Ezekiel and John). Seeing ourselves as a sinner is seeing ourselves in light of the holy and awesome and fearful presence of the Lord Almighty.
a. How does seeing ourselves in light of God's holiness, rather than in comparison to others, deepen our understanding of sin? Our need for discipleship?
b. When was the last time you experienced a moment of being "rendered immovable" (v.9) by the glory and the holiness of God's presence? How did it change your view of God, your view of yourself and your relationship with Him?
5. How Jesus calls His disciples: There are three steps that show us how Jesus calls disciples.
a. First, He sees them. (v. 2 and v. 27) Jesus does not see them as how others see them in their culture and society. Jesus sees them as people who can admit their sin and need. He sees them as people that He can teach and train to become like Him and He can use them in ways no one could ever imagine.
i. How do you view yourself? Do you see yourself like the way Jesus sees you? What are some factors that hinder you from seeing yourself the way Jesus sees you?
ii. Do you see people like the way Jesus sees them?
b. Second, Jesus draws near to them. He does not draw near to them like throwing out a cockroach or taking out garbage. But He reclines at the table with them - with acceptance, fellowship and shared standing. This is the heart of the Gospel. When sin comes into the presence of Jesus Christ – it doesn’t push him away and it doesn’t drive him away. When sin comes into the presence of Jesus Christ – He pushes it away, he drives it away, its guilt and its shame.
i. Do you know that Jesus draws near to you when you confess your sinfulness to him? Do you know that when you see your own sin and feel like no one can accept you - even then, that Jesus draws near to you?
ii. Do you feel tempted to figure out your sins THEN go to Jesus? Do you feel guilty going to Jesus WITH your sins? How does understanding that Jesus drives away sin, rather than being repelled by it, change our approach to repentance and coming to Him with our struggles?
c. Third, Jesus says “Follow Me.” This does not mean first, take care of your issues, or first, resolve your questions. No, Jesus makes it very simple. Follow Him, watch Him, listen to Him.
i. When life feels complicated or we’re struggling with questions, how can we simplify our approach by focusing on the simple call of Jesus to “Follow Me,” and what might that look like for you right now?
6. For both Peter and Levi, when Jesus calls them to be his disciples, they leave everything and follow Him. Verse 31 can help us understand what this means: “Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick…” The more serious the sickness is, the more there would be absolutely no question that we’d leave everything behind to get to the doctor who has the cure!
a. In what areas of our lives might Jesus be calling us to leave behind certain comforts, priorities, or attachments?
b. How does understanding our need for His healing, like a sick person seeking a physician, help us recognize what we may need to let go of in order to follow Him?