Matthew 4:18-22- Calling of the disciples to Follow Jesus, by Jeremy Stephens

Some Basic Rules: enjoy each other, be honest, be open to growing, be curious

Introduction

Potential movie clips:

The Matrix - red pill/blue pill scene

• How does Morphius describe the Matrix? [an all encompassing dream world]
• Notice that Neo is given a choice between the "dream world" and the real world. Why do you think Neo chooses the real world? [freedom from the "fleece" over his eyes, trusts Morphius, sacrifices dreams for reality/truth]
• What does your dream world look like? How do you imagine your life being? [graduate, two cars, spouse, dog, and a fence]

Dumb and Dumber - where Jim Carry is dreaming of his romantic life with love interest. [rips out heart of chef, lives in huge house, social butterfly]

Major Pain - He is waiting for a train and dreams about house, white fence, child.

• What are your dreams for your life? Imagine your life to be like? [graduate, two car garage, married with a dog]

Read the text

• What do you imagine life was like for the fishermen? [essential to economy]
• What "dreams" were they giving up to follow Jesus?
• What do you think they were feeling as they were leaving fishing? How would you feel? ["What now? I knew what to do when I was fishing, but now ... You tell us our next step."] (theme for rest of passage, surrender)
• What do you think it took for them to decide to leave that life?

• What would it take for you to get up leave your nets (dreams, securities, family) and follow Jesus? Experiential (a feeling) - "I just have to, I can't help myself, but do this." - Have you ever felt the need to do something, nothing is going to stop you? What was it? [see a celebrity, go to Disney and ride space mountain] Know He was able to provide
• How would your life change if you were to lay down your nets/dreams and follow Jesus? Would you like to make that commitment?

• Leaving financial security - Fishing is a good job
• Leave family security - not only impacts you but impacts family's life
• Must trust Jesus
• Following Jesus is putting down your "life dreams" and saying "now what? I'm yours. What's next?"