Single lesson
Jesus Calls the Fishermen
Matthew 4:18–22; Mark 1:16–20; Luke 5:1–11
Jesus calls fishermen to follow him in Matthew, Mark and Luke. These passages show Jesus taking the lead, the fishermen responding, and in Luke a great catch of fish that leads Simon Peter to a strong personal response.
Before you teach
Matthew and Mark describe Jesus seeing Simon, Andrew, James and John by the Sea of Galilee and calling them to follow him. Luke describes Jesus teaching from Simon’s boat, telling him to let down the nets, an overwhelming catch of fish, and then the fishermen leaving everything to follow.
Students will be able to identify what happens in each Gospel account, retell Luke 5:1–11 in order, and explain that Jesus called these fishermen to follow him.
Welcome: Meet the fishermen Jesus called
4 minShow four name cards: Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John. Explain that Matthew and Mark tell of Jesus calling fishermen by the sea, and Luke tells in more detail about Jesus teaching from Simon’s boat and a great catch of fish. Ask children to listen for what Jesus says and how the men respond.
Matthew 4:18, Matthew 4:21, Mark 1:16, Mark 1:19, Luke 5:3, Luke 5:10
Read and explain: Matthew and Mark show the call
7 minRead the Matthew and Mark verses aloud. Point out what both accounts clearly say: Simon and Andrew were fishermen, Jesus said, “Come after me”, and they followed immediately. James and John were also called and followed. Explain that “fishers for men” is Jesus’ way of speaking about a new work involving people.
Matthew 4:18, Matthew 4:19, Matthew 4:20, Matthew 4:21, Matthew 4:22, Mark 1:16, Mark 1:17, Mark 1:18, Mark 1:19, Mark 1:20
Discuss Luke: Jesus teaches, then gives a catch
7 minRead Luke 5:1–7. Help children trace Luke’s order carefully: the crowd hears the word of God, Jesus teaches from Simon’s boat, then tells Simon to go into deep water and let down the nets. Simon says they caught nothing all night, yet he acts at Jesus’ word. Then they catch a great multitude of fish.
Luke 5:1, Luke 5:3, Luke 5:4, Luke 5:5, Luke 5:6, Luke 5:7
Make and respond: Luke sequence cards
8 minChildren make six simple picture or word cards for Luke’s account only: washing nets, Jesus in Simon’s boat, let down the net, many fish, Simon Peter falls at Jesus’ knees, they leave everything and follow. As they place them in order, ask what Simon chose to do and what happened next.
Luke 5:2, Luke 5:3, Luke 5:5, Luke 5:6, Luke 5:8, Luke 5:11
Closing: What do these passages teach?
4 minReview two key ideas from the text. First, Jesus called these fishermen to follow him. Second, in Luke, Simon obeyed Jesus’ word, was amazed at the catch, and heard, “Don’t be afraid.” Invite each child to say one true thing they learned about Jesus or one response made by the fishermen.
Matthew 4:19, Matthew 4:20, Luke 5:5, Luke 5:8, Luke 5:10, Luke 5:11
Questions to explore
What did Simon say before he let down the net, and what choice did he still make?
Look closely at Simon’s own words. He says they worked all night and caught nothing, yet he still agrees to act at Jesus’ word.
Luke 5:5
What happened straight after Jesus called Simon and Andrew in Matthew or Mark?
Notice the repeated word about timing and the object they left behind before following Jesus.
Matthew 4:20, Mark 1:18
How did Simon Peter respond when he saw the great catch in Luke?
The passage shows both an action and spoken words, so include both parts of his response.
Luke 5:8, Luke 5:9
Make, think or respond
Luke 5 Sequence Cards
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils or textas
- scissors
Try it together
- Make six small cards for Luke 5: washing nets, Jesus teaching from Simon’s boat, letting down the net, many fish, Simon Peter at Jesus’ knees, leaving everything to follow.
- Children draw or label each card with a short phrase from Luke 5.
- Place the cards in Luke’s order and retell the account using the pictures.
- Finish by asking children which card shows a choice and which card shows an outcome.
This activity helps children remember the order of Luke 5:1–11 without mixing it into the sequence of Matthew 4 or Mark 1.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, prepare the card titles in advance and let them focus on drawing and oral retelling.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to compare which details are stated in Matthew, Mark or Luke after finishing the Luke sequence.
An optional closing prayer
You may pray: “Lord Jesus, thank you that you called these fishermen to follow you. Please help us listen carefully to your words and respond with trust.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Matthew 4
18 Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
19 He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.”
20 They immediately left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them.
22 They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him.
Mark 1
16 Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.
17 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men.”
18 Immediately they left their nets, and followed him.
19 Going on a little further from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets.
20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him.
Luke 5
1 Now while the multitude pressed on him and heard the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret.
2 He saw two boats standing by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.
3 He entered into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered him, “Master, we worked all night and caught nothing; but at your word I will let down the net.”
6 When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their net was breaking.
7 They beckoned to their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. They came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.
8 But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord.”
9 For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had caught;
10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive.”
11 When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything, and followed him.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.
Source passages
Something to make together
These activities connect with the passage. Choose one that suits your group and the time you have.
