3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Our welcome team members will pass an offering basket during this song.

For information about giving online, please visit ucclife.fi/give or follow the QR code on the screen. You can also speak to our pastors or leaders for more information about giving and generosity. You can also ask the welcome team or any of our staff team members for more info on giving online.

A warm welcome to all, and especially to any visitors joining us today – if you’re new to our community please take a moment to fill out our digital visitors card or speak to us after the service!  

If you have children, they are welcome to join our Sunday school classes! 

^5:1 On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, ² and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. ³ Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. ⁴ And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” ⁵ And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” ⁶ And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. ⁷ They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.⁸ But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” ⁹ For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, ¹⁰ and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” ¹¹ And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

When Jesus comes near, He asks us to trust His word, receive His grace, and follow Him.

I. Jesus Speaks into Ordinary Life vv 1-5
II. Jesus Reveals Grace and Truth vv 6-10a
III. Jesus Calls and Reorders Life vv 10b-11

Introduction

1. How do you typically respond when plans don’t work out the way you expected?

2. Have you ever experienced a moment where your view of yourself changed suddenly because of something unexpected?

Into the text

3. In Luke 5:4–5, Peter’s experience as a fisherman clashes with Jesus’ command. What does Peter’s response, “at your word,” show us about obeying Jesus when we don’t fully understand or feel confident?

4. In Luke 5:8, Peter responds to the miracle by confessing his sin instead of celebrating his success. Why does encountering Jesus lead Peter to humility rather than pride, and what does that teach us about how Jesus reveals who we really are?

5. Jesus says, “Do not be afraid” (Luke 5:10) before calling Peter to follow Him, and the disciples then leave everything (v.11). Why do you think reassurance comes before calling, and how does the passage help us understand why leaving everything for Jesus makes sense?

Applying the text

6. Where are you most tempted to rely on your own experience instead of trusting Jesus’ word? How does seeing Jesus as the provider change how you approach work, ministry, or relationships?

7. What does Peter’s response show us about how encountering Jesus reveals what’s really going on in our hearts? How do Jesus’ words, “Do not be afraid,” speak to areas of fear in your life right now?

8. How does this passage help you see your ordinary life as a place where Jesus still meets people and calls them to follow Him?