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1. Read verse 1. Where was Jesus and what was he doing? Describe the crowd who came to him. Why were they crowding around him? What does this show about them and about Jesus?

2. Read verses 2 and 3. What did Jesus notice as he taught? Why did he need to use one of the boats? What does this tell us about this teaching scene and Jesus' class room?

3. To whom did the boats belong? What had Simon and his friends been doing all night? What were they doing while Jesus was teaching the crowd?

4. Whose boat did Jesus use and what request did Jesus make of him? What might be Jesus' double purpose?

5. Read verses 4-5. After Jesus finished speaking to the crowd what did he ask Simon to do? What was Simon's response? What does this tell us about his attitude toward Jesus and toward Jesus' words? What did Simon have to overcome in order to obey Jesus?

6. Read verses 6-7. What happened when Simon obeyed? Why was it so meaningful that Simon's fishing failure was restored? How did Simon and his fishing partners react? (9-10a)

7. How did Simon respond to this event? Why wasn't he excited by the big catch of fish? What did Simon realize about himself? What did he mean by saying, "Go away from me Lord; I am a sinful man?"

8. Read verses 10b-11. What new life direction did Jesus give Simon? What does "from now on you will catch men" mean? How did Simon and his companions respond? What was Jesus' purpose in calling them? (Mk 3:13b; Mt 28:19,20)