Luke 5:1-11, 5:27-32; John 1:35-51
In addition to the story recorded in Luke 5, the other three Gospels also record various aspects of Jesus calling and appointing his disciples. We encourage you to read these accounts as well:
The Luke account is a good one to focus on with the kids because it contains a wonderful and memorable story.
Jesus is preaching by the Sea of Galilee (Luke calls it the Lake of Gennesaret) and he notices two boats that had been left there by some discouraged fishermen. Simon, James and John were fishing partners and they had a tough night of fishing. They worked hard and didn't catch a thing. So they had hung it up for the day and they were cleaning their nets.
Jesus asked them if he could use their boats to preach from since there were so many people. Simon Peter agreed and took him out just a little bit into the water. Jesus finished preaching and told them to put out into deep water again and let the nets down for a catch. Simon told him that they had just worked all night and didn't catch a thing, but "because you say so, I will let down the nets". They heard the words of Jesus and knew there was something special about him. So they had enough faith to do this thing he asked them to do, even though they didn't have any expectation that it was going to actually work.
But when they let down their nets, they caught such a huge catch of fish that their nets began to break. They had to go get help to bring in the amount of fish they had caught without sinking their boat.
Simon Peter was terrified at the power this Jesus displayed and fell on his knees and said, "Go away from me Lord; I am a sinful man!". But Jesus told him not to be afraid and that from now on, they will catch men. So those 3 men left everything they had - their boats, nets, and fishing business - and followed Jesus. They became some of the first disciples of Jesus.
Through the other accounts in the Gospels and the rest of the New Testament, we learn that these 12 men become Jesus' closest friends and disciples. Jesus was closest with Peter, James, and John.
Here are the names of the 12 disciples (Mark 3:16-19 gives a listing):
Do any of you like to fish? What gear do you use to fish? What kind of fish do you catch?
Have you ever caught anything strange - something other than a fish?
Today, we are going to learn about some men in the Bible that Jesus told would fish for men!
Read story from a Children's storybook Bible for younger children.
For older children, read the story from an age-appropriate Children's storybook Bible or read directly from the Bible.
Scripture for Kids to Read Aloud: Luke 5:1-11
First, ask the children if they have any questions about the story. What to do if you don't know the answer?
Scripture Here are the names of the 12 apostles. First are Simon Peter and his brother Andrew. Then come James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John. Next are Philip and Bartholomew, and also Thomas and Matthew the tax collector. Two more are James, son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus. The last are Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot. Matthew 10:2-4
Supplies Disciples Footprints Printout (below)
Scripture Here are the names of the 12 apostles. First are Simon Peter and his brother Andrew. Then come James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John. Next are Philip and Bartholomew, and also Thomas and Matthew the tax collector. Two more are James, son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus. The last are Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot. Matthew 10:2-4
Supplies large playing space
Scripture Here are the names of the 12 apostles. First are Simon Peter and his brother Andrew. Then come James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John. Next are Philip and Bartholomew, and also Thomas and Matthew the tax collector. Two more are James, son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus. The last are Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot. Matthew 10:2-4
Supplies paper, scissors, disciple name cutouts
Scripture "Come. Follow me," Jesus said. "I will make you fishers of people." Mark 1:17
Supplies Large play space
Scripture One day Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee. There he saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were throwing a net into the lake. They were fishermen. "Come. Follow me," Jesus said. "I will make you fishers of people." Mark 1:16-17
Supplies pieces of net, paper, glue, paper strips with Bible verse, crayons
Scripture One day Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee. There he saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were throwing a net into the lake. They were fishermen. 17 "Come. Follow me," Jesus said. "I will make you fishers of people." Mark 1:16-17
Supplies goldfish or swedish fish, twizzler ropes, pretzel rods
Scripture He and everyone with him were amazed at the number of fish they had caught. So were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who worked with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid. From now on you will catch people." Luke 5:9-10
Supplies stick, string, magnets, fish print outs (see below)