One bright morning, Jesus was standing by the big, blue lake. The sun was shining softly, and the water was sparkling like tiny stars. Many people were listening to Jesus because He told wonderful stories about God’s love.
Near the lake, two fishermen, Simon and Andrew, were washing their fishing nets. They looked tired because they had been fishing all night but caught nothing. Suddenly, Jesus spoke to them with a kind smile.
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said gently. “I will make you fishers of people.”
Simon and Andrew looked at each other, surprised. “Fishers of people?” Andrew asked. “What does that mean?”
Jesus explained that instead of catching fish, they would help bring people to know God’s love. It was a very special job, like catching hearts with kindness and truth.
Simon and Andrew felt something warm and exciting in their hearts. They left their nets right there and followed Jesus. They wanted to learn how to share God’s love with everyone.
As they walked, Jesus saw two more brothers, James and John, fixing their boats. Their father was there too. Jesus called them, and they quickly left their work and followed Him. They were happy to be chosen by Jesus!
The four fishermen walked with Jesus, feeling curious and joyful. They wondered what adventures would come next. Jesus promised to teach them many things about God’s kingdom.
Jesus showed them that God’s love is like a big net, catching everyone who wants to know Him. It is a love that never ends and brings happiness to all hearts.
The fishermen learned that following Jesus means helping others feel God’s love too. They were not just catching fish anymore; they were catching friends for Jesus!
Every day, Jesus and His new friends went to towns and villages. They told people about God’s kindness and how much God cares for each person.
The fishermen felt brave and happy because Jesus was with them. They knew they had a very important job to do, and Jesus would help them every step of the way.
And so, Jesus’ special friends became the first helpers to share God’s wonderful love with the whole world.
Questions to think about
- Who did Jesus call to follow Him by the lake?
- What did Jesus say the fishermen would become?
- Why did Simon and Andrew leave their nets?
- How do you think the fishermen felt when Jesus called them?
- What does it mean to be a fisher of people?
Message of the story
God calls us to follow Jesus and share His love with others. When we listen and obey, we help bring people closer to God’s happy family.
Bible passage
Matthew 4:18-22 (WEB)
18 As Jesus was 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 of 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 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
