WEEK 1 : Called Out

Icebreaker: What is the greatest letter you’ve ever received?

Pray: Holy Spirit, would you speak to us and teach us today, helping us to surrender our will and forming us to be like Jesus.

When diving into a book of the Bible, it is important to understand the context. Check out the attached sheet for background on 1 Peter. 

This is a letter written by the disciple Peter. He opens the letter addressing how his audience has been called out from the world. Let’s go back and remind ourselves how Peter himself was called out from his ordinary life to KNOW and follow Jesus.

Read Luke 5:1-11. Peter was a master fisherman and Jesus was not.

1. What was it about Jesus’ teaching that drove Peter to obey and cast the nets again?

2. Have you ever felt like Peter: you try and try in your own effort, with no results, and then when you clearly obey the direction of God, suddenly there’s fruit from your effort? If so, share this story. If not, what would it look like to listen to God’s leading before you set out to accomplish a task?

Peter left everything to follow Jesus. He likely didn’t know how he would feed his family when he left his fishing nets.

3. What in your life might Jesus be calling you to leave right now so you can follow him with abandon?

Read Matthew 14:22-33. This is perhaps the story Peter is most famous for.

4. Why do you think Peter wanted to walk on water? What do you think he learned from that experience?

Read Luke 22:54-60. This is not Peter’s finest moment. This is the other story he is most famous for. In Jesus’ moment of greatest suffering, Peter denies even knowing him. Take a moment to reflect silently: How in my own life have I denied knowing Jesus? It might not have been verbal, but it might be in actions you’ve taken or choices you’ve made. If you feel comfortable, share this with the group, and then spend time confessing and repenting together.

Jesus called Peter out a normal life to an extraordinary life. He was just a fisherman, barely making ends meet. He didn’t become rich in the ways of the world, but he spent three years as one of Jesus’ closest friends.

5. In what ways is your life ordinary, looking no different than anyone else in this world?

6. Have you ever had an extraordinary moment with Jesus, where you’ve seen him work powerfully in, through, or around you?

Spend some time in prayer asking for more and more of these experiences.

Jesus, we thank you that you call us out of ordinary to something extraordinary. Give us the courage and faith to get out of the boat, or to leave the old behind. Perhaps there is sin we need to stop doing, or maybe it’s just that we need to choose what is greater. Perhaps we need to commit to Sabbath, when the world around us knows no rest. Maybe we put strict limits on our use of cell phones because we’d rather be connected to our Father. Perhaps we commit to spend more intentional time with our kids, raising them in the ways of Jesus. Lord, show us the work that you have for us, and when and how to step out in faith, so we can obediently follow you. Amen.