CALLED: Bible Lesson for Youth from Matthew 4:18-22

Use this free Bible study in your youth group ministry to teach about calling from Matthew 4:18-22. The discussion and teaching will help High School and Middle School students realize how they others loved them enough to invite them to the youth group or Sunday School.

This lesson is part 1 of 3 in a Bible study on Jesus calling his disciples in Matthew 4:18-22.

Teaching Supplies:

• Time needed 30 minutes
• Bibles or the youth can use their cell phones to look up the scripture Matthew 4:18-22. Pick a translation for them to use for consistency. NIV included below for reference.
• A fishing net.  Borrow one from someone who fishes a lot.  The week before ask one of the youth if their Dad has one and could they bring it.  If not improvise and use a volley ball net or some other net.
• Thank you cards and pens for each youth

Lesson Introduction

Start with…

Why are you here at youth group?

Anyone willing to share an answer to that question? (Notice I use the word willing, not wants to share)

________________________________ (their answers)

Have you considered that Jesus is calling you? 

You accepted an invitation or the parent requirement to be here at youth group.  You listened to Jesus!  You might be saying to yourself….

What???  How is that Jesus calling me?

Bible Lesson on Calling

Let’s read Matthew 4:18-22. Who is willing to read the scripture for us?

Matthew 4:18-22 NIV  As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  (19)  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”  (20)  At once they left their nets and followed him.  (21)  Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them,  (22)  and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Matthew 4:18-22  Have someone hold the net and lay it down at the appropriate time during the reading.

I’m looking for 3 words or phrases that are important?  One is a command, one is about the time it took to make a choice and one is the ultimate result.

Please read it again.  Everyone close their eyes and listen.

What is the:

Command?                              _____________________                  (Come follow me)

Time it took to choose?            _____________________                  (Immediately)

Reason for the command?        _____________________                  (Fish for people)

Youth Group Skit

Drama:  Let’s act out the scripture.  Volunteers?  (Huddle up with the actors and ask them how they want to do it.  Let them script it but maybe ask them to add the father part if they miss it). Acting it out can be fun.  They can have the disciples scooping fish with the net.  Jesus walking up and commanding them and telling them he is going to make them fishers of men.  Lay the net down while the father actors are saying where are you going?  You can’t leave!  What am I going to do without you!

Actors & Supplies Needed:

• Jesus
• 4 disciples (Simon, Andrew, James and John)
• Fathers
• Fisherman Net prop
• Piece of paper with the words “blue water” written on it to lay on the floor or blue construction paper.
• You can even have a few pieces of paper with the ichthus (fish) drawn on each. 

Have the disciples put the fish in the net after they go with Jesus.  Tell what the ichthus fish represents after the drama.

Youth Group Discussion: Calling

So, let me rephrase the original question.

Who got you to come to youth group?

Everyone take a minute and think about the question.

Anyone willing to share? (Fill in with the below options if they have trouble sharing)

• Mom?
• Dad?
• Grandparents?
• Friend?
• Pastor?
• Volunteer?
• Jesus?

That person started you on the youth group path.  Why?

Consider this….

Because they love you or care about you.

They are following Jesus and because they love you, they asked you to join them in following Jesus.  Just like Jesus modeled with the original disciples,  they have become followers of Jesus and fishers of people (you).  They are living out the scripture we just read.  You are at youth group because of them.

Thank You Cards Activity

Pass out Thank You cards.

Take 2 minutes to write a short note to the person who got you to come to youth group.

Who is willing to pray about what Jesus has just shown us?