Bible moment
The Bible moment
Matthew 4:18-22 tells how Jesus began calling his first disciples. Jesus saw Simon, called Peter, and Andrew casting a net into the Sea of Galilee because they were fishermen. He invited them to follow him and said he would make them fishers of people. They immediately left their nets and followed him. Jesus then called James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were mending nets in a boat with their father. They immediately left the boat and their father and followed Jesus. This passage presents the calling in a clear sequence: Jesus calls, and the fishermen respond. Matthew does not add other dialogue or explain later events here.
Look closely
What children can notice
Jesus speaks to Simon Peter and Andrew beside the Sea of Galilee, inviting them to follow him and promising to make them fishers of people. The scene should communicate a kind, meaningful call without depicting abstract symbolism as an event.
Talk together
Talk about it
- What did Simon Peter and Andrew leave behind?
- How can we respond when Jesus calls us to follow him?
For families, church, and class
Use this page
Use this page for family reading, Sunday school, church teaching, classroom discussion, or homeschool lessons on Jesus calling his first disciples. Read Matthew 4:18-22 with the image, then invite children to notice the net, the shoreline, Jesus’ invitation, and the fishermen’s immediate response. Keep discussion connected to the passage.
Source note
From this passage
Matthew 4:19 · Calling Peter, Andrew, James, and John
Jesus speaks to Simon Peter and Andrew beside the Sea of Galilee, inviting them to follow him and promising to make them fishers of people. The scene should communicate a kind, meaningful call without depicting abstract symbolism as an event.
