Real Life. Real People. Real Jesus. 

1. Recognizing God at Work
Luke 5:9 (ESV)
“For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken,”

Question: Where do you see God working in someone’s life, and how has noticing that affected your desire to participate?

Go deeper:

• When has someone’s story of coming to know Jesus reminded you why the church’s mission matters?
• What helps you notice God’s work when everyday responsibilities consume your attention?
• Who around you might need the same welcome, care, or encouragement that someone once offered you?

Connection: The sermon celebrates what God has accomplished through the church’s generosity and faithfulness. Behind the land, staffing, and ministry growth are people encountering Jesus. Recognizing His work helps awaken a personal desire to join Him.

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2. Trusting Through Hesitation
Luke 5:5 (ESV)
“And Simon answered, ‘Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.’”

Question: Where do you find yourself saying, “Jesus, I hear You, but You don’t understand my circumstances”?

Go deeper:

• What past disappointment or present pressure makes trusting Jesus difficult right now?
• When have you obeyed Him while still feeling uncertain, and what did that experience reveal?
• How could this group support you in taking a faithful step without pretending the difficulty is small?

Connection: Peter acknowledged his exhaustion and experience, yet acted on Jesus’ word. The sermon invites us to trust Jesus with our circumstances and resources, responding in obedience without expecting a guaranteed financial return.

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3. Letting Jesus Meet Your Inadequacy
Luke 5:8 (ESV)
“But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.’”

Question: What keeps you from believing Jesus can involve you in His work just as you are today?

Go deeper:

• When have regret, shame, or comparison made you pull away from serving or being known?
• How has God used another person to help you experience His grace?
• What would it look like to bring your limitations honestly to Jesus while remaining available to Him?

Connection: Peter’s awareness of his sin did not cause Jesus to abandon him. The sermon challenges the belief that our brokenness makes us unwanted or unusable. Jesus already knows our need for grace when He calls us to follow Him.

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4. Seeing People as the Mission
Luke 5:10 (ESV)
“and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.’”

Question: Where do you have relationships with people who might feel overlooked, spiritually hurt, or unsure whether they belong?

Go deeper:

• What might make church or conversations about Jesus feel intimidating to that person?
• What would loving them well look like in your existing relationship?
• How could you help someone take another step toward Jesus through friendship, hospitality, or ongoing discipleship?

Connection: Greater capacity and greater impact serve the same mission: helping people know Jesus and grow as His disciples. Jesus redirected the fishermen’s lives toward people, and the sermon invites us to see our relationships as places to participate in His work.

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5. Offering Your Net This Week
Luke 5:11 (ESV)
“And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.”

Question: What would it look like for you to offer Jesus one specific part of your life for His mission this coming week?

Go deeper:

• Which area needs your prayerful attention right now: your time, talents, testimony, or treasure?
• What specific action will you take this week, and when will you take it?
• Who in this group could check in with you, and what support would help you follow through?

Connection: The sermon ends by asking, “What does your net look like?” Each person is invited to prayerfully continue, deepen, or begin participating in the mission. This question turns that invitation into a concrete step of obedience during the coming week.

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Closing Prayer
Invite each person to complete this sentence silently or aloud: “Jesus, the step I need Your help to take is…”
Then pray together for eyes to recognize God’s work, confidence in His grace, love for people who feel overlooked, and courage to obey Him this week.

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Take-Home Challenge: What Does Your Net Look Like?

Read Luke 5:1–11 this week, then take time to:

• Celebrate: Write down one way you’ve seen God working in your life or through the church.
• Pray: Ask, “Jesus, how are You calling me to join what You’re doing with my time, talents, testimony, or treasure?”
• Respond: Identify one specific step of obedience and take it this week.

For the Legacy Initiative, prayerfully consider whether your next step is to continue your commitment, increase it, or make a first commitment. If you share finances with your spouse, pray and talk about that step together.
Come back ready to share: What step did you take, and what did you notice?