James and John Follow Jesus

Matthew 4:18-22

The Big Idea

Jesus called James and John, and they responded right away. Following Jesus can mean trusting his call and being willing to leave something familiar.

The Bible Story

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

Matthew 4:18–22 tells how Jesus called fishermen to follow him. After Simon Peter and Andrew responded to Jesus, Jesus saw James, son of Zebedee, and John in a boat with their father. The brothers were mending their nets when Jesus called them. Matthew 4:22 says that they immediately left the boat and their father and followed Jesus. This scene focuses on that direct response. It does not add a farewell speech, conflict, sadness, other family members, crowds, or later events. The passage presents Jesus calling people to follow him and James and John responding immediately, leaving their ordinary work and the boat behind.

Themes

Immediate response Jesus calls people to follow him Leaving ordinary work and possessions to become disciples

Bible moment

The Bible moment

Look closely

What children can notice

James and John immediately leave the boat and their father Zebedee and follow Jesus. Show the brothers stepping away from the boat toward Jesus with gentle, respectful separation and no added farewell speech.

Talk together

Talk about it

What did James and John leave when Jesus called them?
What might it look like to follow Jesus today?

For families, church, and class

Use this page

Use this page when teaching Matthew 4:18–22 about Jesus calling his first disciples. Invite children to notice the boat, nets, and immediate response. Keep discussion focused on the passage, without adding dialogue or later events.

Source note