The Great Catch

Luke 5:1-11

The Big Idea

Trusting Jesus can lead us to respond with faith, wonder, and willing hearts.

The Bible Story

The Miraculous Catch of Fish

Luke 5:1–11 tells how Jesus taught beside the Lake of Gennesaret and then directed Simon to lower his nets into deep water. Simon had worked all night and caught nothing, but he followed Jesus’ direction. The nets then caught a great number of fish and began to break. Simon and his partners, James and John, signaled to the other boat for help. Together, they filled both boats so heavily that they began to sink. This scene shows the great catch and the fishermen’s need to work together. The account continues with Simon’s awe and humility before Jesus. Jesus reassured him, told him not to be afraid, and gave him a new purpose. Luke identifies James and John as Simon’s partners in this event.

Themes

Awe and humility before Jesus Leaving everything to follow Jesus Responding to Jesus’ call Trusting Jesus’ direction

Bible moment

The Bible moment

Look closely

What children can notice

The nets overflow with a great number of fish and begin to break. Simon signals to James and John in the other boat, and both boats become heavily filled.

Talk together

Talk about it

Why did Simon follow Jesus’ direction?
How did the fishermen help one another?

For families, church, and class

Use this page

Use this page to talk about trusting Jesus’ direction and helping others. Invite children to notice the nets, the two boats, and the fishermen’s teamwork. Keep the focus on the overflowing catch and the fishermen’s awe, without adding details not given in Luke’s account.

Source note

From this passage

Luke 5:6-7 · The First Disciples in Luke

The nets overflow with a great number of fish and begin to break. Simon signals to James and John in the other boat, and both boats become heavily filled.