Sunday School Lesson January 14, 2024
Subject: Life-Changing Faith
The Point: Faith begins with the call to follow Jesus.
Scriptures: Luke 5:1-11
Study The Bible: Luke 5:1-3
1). Life-changing faith begins with an encounter with the Word-living and spoken.
- As the crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear God’s word, he was standing by Lake Gennesaret.
- He saw two boats at the edge of the lake; the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.
- He got into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the land. Then he sat down and was teaching the crowds from the boat.
Lasting truths from: Luke 5:1-3
* Jesus is always the Master Teacher.
* Jesus came to proclaim the Word of God.
* There is power in the Word of God no matter how it is communicated.
* The first steps of a faith walk with Jesus are critical.
* Obeying the Lord may begin small, but it can lead to even greater experiences with Him.
2). Take the next step of life-changing faith.
Luke 5:4-7
- When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”
- “Master,” Simon replied, “we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll let down the nets.”
- When they did this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets began to tear.
- So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
Lasting truths from: Luke 5:4-7
* Jesus has a word for each of us personally.
* We act by faith when we believe what Jesus says even when we don’t have all the information we might want or lack full understanding of what is about to take place.
* One step of faith gives us an opportunity to take another step of faith.
* Our questions and even our protests are to be subservient to our obedience.
* God blesses faithful obedience.
3). Life-changing faith demands commitment and trust.
Luke 5:8-11
- When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’s knees and said, “Go away from me, because I’m a sinful man, Lord!”
- For he and all those with him were amazed at the catch of fish they had taken,
- and so were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s partners. “Don’t be afraid,” Jesus told Simon. “From now on you will be catching people.”
- Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed him.
Lasting truths from: Luke 5:8-11
* When we see Jesus for who He is—Master, yes, but Lord—we cannot help but be aware of our sin and how underserving we are to be in His presence.
* The Lord is filled with grace to embrace the sinner, change his/her life, and use that person for His glory.
* The Lord has a work for us that fulfills His purpose of redeeming others from sin.
* The Lord issues the call: the decision on how to respond is ours.
* Following Jesus is worth more than anything and everything.
Live It Out
- Reflect on an experience you had with Jesus Christ that radically changed your life, whether your initial salvation or a later time of spiritual revitalization.
- When have you exhibited faith in what Christ asked you to do that resulted in profound change for you and brought about great blessings?
- How about now? What is Jesus calling you to do that would allow you to join Him on His mission to bring people into a right relationship with God?
Closing Prayer:
“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”
“If this lesson has been a blessing to you, leave us a comment.”