Bible Study Project
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Pensacola Christian College *
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203
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Religion
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
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4
Uploaded by ChancellorMoonPartridge31
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Bible Study Project Paper
Summary After preaching in the synagogues in Galilee, Jesus made His way to the lake of Gennesaret. While there, Jesus walked onto the fishing boat of Simon, James, and John. The men previously had no luck while fishing until Jesus gave them direction. Their nets overflowed after following Jesus’ instructions and they recognized that only God could create this miracle. Jesus replied to their cries of praise with an invitation to follow Him. Context and Stating the Central Truth Before the Event
In Luke 4, Jesus had just been tempted of the Devil and had begun preforming many different miracles around Galilee. In his work The Complete Biblical Commentary
, Matthew Henry (1701, 472) speaks of the rising recognition Jesus was receiving for His works around this
time.
“Upon the account of this,
the fame of him went out,
more than ever,
into every place of the country round about.” Simon, James, and John had most likely heard rumor of the miracles being performed in the area. After the Event
After Simon, James, and John spoke to Jesus they forsook their occupation as fisherman and began to follow Him. Jesus continued His ministry preaching and performing miracles around Galilee. Jesus discipled Simon, James and John and they grew in spiritual knowledge and
wisdom through Him.
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Connection of the Event to its Context and the Central Truth
Jesus was gaining recognition in the area for healing the sick and casting out devils. People who had previously been skeptical had now been the witnesses of some of His greatest miracles. John, James, and Simon had, no doubt, heard the stories of Jesus performing miracles but had continued with their regular lives instead of seeking Him out. Jesus sought the men out and commanded them to follow Him and because they chose to do so; they were able to grow. This passage teaches that God’s plans for our lives will always be better than our own.
Proving the Central Truth The first
way that the Bible demonstrates the importance of following God’s plan is through the lack of reward in the disciples lives prior to following Jesus. Their efforts to find their rewards in their own works was unsuccessful. Matthew Henry in The Concise Biblical Commentary (1704, 212) speaks of the fruit we will only receive when we drop our plans and trust in God’s plans instead. “
These fishermen forsook all, and followed Jesus, when their calling prospered. When riches increase, and we are tempted to set our hearts upon them, then to
quit them for Christ is thankworthy.” Second
, the passage teaches that are rewards for forsaking our own plans for our lives and applying God’s guidance to our lives instead will leave us with greater benefit than we have started with. The men started their night with hopefulness in their own abilities but failed to catch any fish. Their nets were empty, and they were tired when Jesus approached them. After the men followed Jesus’ instructions, they were left with their nets full which one could call their
earthly blessings; they were also left with something they deemed much more valuable: a savior to guide them in casting for the eternal souls of unsaved men and women. Joseph Benson’s work
Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
(1786, 103) speaks on the
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importance of the work the men found through Jesus in contrast to their earthly profession. “
Fear not: from henceforth thou shalt catch
men.
(Jesus is saying to the disciples) Instead of doing thee any harm, I from this time design to employ thee in much nobler work, in which I will give thee such happy success, that thou shalt captivate men, in greater abundance than those
fishes thou hast now caught: enclosing them in the net of the gospel, and drawing them out of the gulf of ignorance, sin, and misery, to the land of life eternal.
“The fruits of their work in Jesus were proven to be much more profitable than any number of fish they could’ve caught. Third,
readers can clearly see God’s desire to have us follow His plans. After Peter, James, and John had neglected to seek Christ, Jesus was faithful to call them unto Him according to His plan. Jesus’ path to the Sea of Galilee was no coincidence. He was aware of each of the men’s strengths and weaknesses and was prepared to use all their abilities for His honor and glory. Because of the men’s willingness to follow Jesus, their names now exist in God’s word forever and they have claimed a spot for themselves in His eternal kingdom. Jesus’ invitation for the men to follow Him was not a call to forsake their current blessings but, instead, to accumulate eternal blessings which was in the better interest of the men. I have learned that God knows my talents and abilities and desires me to use them for His
honor and glory. His plan is far greater than my own and they will provide me with far more peace and blessings than my own plans for personal happiness. The blessings God offers are only dependent on my willingness to trust that His ways are higher than mine. Just as the disciples forsook their personal plans, we are called to surrender our lives to God and trust in Him; only then will we be truly prosperous in our endeavors. Works Consulted
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Benson, Joseph. Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Worcester, England: Worcester Parish, 1786. Read 10 pages
Henry, Matthew. The Concise Biblical Commentary
(Darlington, UK: EP Books, 2012), 212.
Read 6 pages
Henry, Matthew. 6th ed. The Complete Biblical Commentary
(Darlington, UK: EP Books, 2016),
472. Read 7 pages
Ellis, E. Earle. The Discipleship and Gospel of Luke
. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1981. Read 2 pages
Total Pages Read: 25