For Parents
On Sunday, Ps Andy talked about Matthew 4:17–22, where Jesus calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John to leave their fishing nets and follow him. The big idea is that Jesus calls us to follow him and to help others do the same — to be disciples who make disciples. Andy also shared honestly that, as a church, it has felt like a season of sitting and grieving, and that God is now calling the church to stand up and take a step forward in faith.
Each night builds on the last, but any night works on its own. Aim for about 15 minutes, phones away, and let everyone have a turn — including you. You can do one night, two or all three.
The Big Idea
Jesus says “Follow me” — and then asks us to bring others along too.
Memory Verse
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” — Matthew 4:19
Fun way to learn it: Do it in two rounds. Round one — pretend to cast a fishing line on “Come, follow me.” Round two — reel it in slowly on “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Say it faster each time until everyone has it by heart.
Night One
Drop your nets — something better is coming
Warm Up
Would you rather spend a whole day fishing at a dam with no guarantee of catching anything, or swap to a totally different job that you’ve never tried before? Why?
Story Time
One day Jesus was walking along the edge of a big lake called the Sea of Galilee. Two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew, were out in the water throwing their fishing nets. Catching fish was their whole job — it was how their family earned money and put food on the table. Jesus stopped, looked at them, and called out something that must have sounded completely surprising: “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Just like that. No long explanation. And you know what they did? They left their nets right there in the water and went with him. Further along the shore, Jesus spotted two more brothers — James and John. They were in a boat with their dad, Zebedee, getting their nets ready for the next catch. Jesus called them too, and straight away they climbed out of the boat, left their dad behind and followed him. (Matthew 4:17–22)
Talk About It
- Little Ones: If you were Peter or Andrew and someone walked up while you were doing your chores and said “Come with me right now,” what would you do?
- Older Kids: These fishermen gave up their job and their family business. What do you think they were thinking as they walked away?
- Older Kids: Andy said that what Jesus calls us into is better than what we leave behind — even if it’s harder or scarier. Do you think that’s true? Why?
- Grown-ups, your turn: Has God ever asked you to leave something behind to follow him? What was it like?
Try It
Find a piece of string or a shoelace — anything you can pretend is a fishing net. Hold it in your hands. At some point tomorrow, when someone in your family is doing something important — homework, a game, eating — walk up and say “Come, follow me.” Notice how hard it is to drop what you’re doing and just go. Talk about it at dinner tomorrow night.
Pray Together
Go around the table. Each person prays one sentence starting with: “Jesus, help me follow you even when…”
Night Two
Preparing the nets — getting ready for something big
Warm Up
What’s the best thing you’ve ever prepared for — a sports game, a performance, a camping trip, Christmas? Did all the preparation pay off?
Story Time
When Jesus walked up to James and John, they weren’t sitting around doing nothing. They were in the boat preparing their nets — checking for holes, untangling the ropes, making sure everything was ready for the next big catch. That’s what fishermen did. You couldn’t just throw a broken net into the water and hope for the best. The preparation was the point. Andy talked about this idea on Sunday — that right now, as a church and as families, God might be calling us to prepare. Not to panic, not to rush, just to get ready. Because if God answers our prayers for more people to know Jesus, we want to be ready to welcome them, walk with them and help them grow. (Matthew 4:21)
Talk About It
- Little Ones: If you were going to catch lots of fish, what things would you need to get ready first?
- Older Kids: Andy asked the church: if 50 new young people showed up next Sunday, would we be ready to look after them? What do you think it would actually take to be ready for that?
- Older Kids: What does it look like to “prepare” to help someone else follow Jesus — at school, on your team, in your street?
- Grown-ups, your turn: Is there something you feel God might be preparing you for right now, even if you can’t quite see it yet?
Try It
Get a bowl of water and a piece of paper. Scrunch the paper up and throw it in — watch it fall apart. Then try a plastic bag or a bit of plastic wrap as a “net.” Talk about the difference. A net that isn’t prepared and cared for can’t do its job. What’s one small way your family could “prepare your nets” this week — maybe praying for a friend who doesn’t know Jesus, or being a bit more kind and welcoming to someone new?
Pray Together
Each person names one person in their life who doesn’t know Jesus yet. Pray one sentence for each of them by name.
Night Three
Disciples who make disciples — passing it on
Warm Up
Think of something you know how to do really well — riding a bike, kicking a footy, making a particular food, drawing, playing a game. Who taught you? And have you ever taught someone else how to do it?
Story Time
Jesus didn’t just want followers who walked behind him quietly. He wanted people who would eventually go and do the same things he was doing — teaching others, caring for people, sharing the good news that God’s kingdom had come close. The disciples started as students, but Jesus always planned for them to become teachers too. At the very end of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus says: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” It’s the same pattern from start to finish — follow Jesus, then help others follow him too. Matt and Dian, who shared at church on Sunday, are a great real-life example of that. They prayed for their family in Indonesia for decades, then went and shared Jesus with them, and watched people’s whole lives change. That’s disciples making disciples. (Matthew 4:19, Matthew 28:19)
Talk About It
- Little Ones: If you knew something really good — like where the best playground was, or where someone had hidden a present — would you keep it secret or tell your friends? Why?
- Older Kids: A disciple is basically a learner who follows someone. What do you think it actually looks like to be a disciple of Jesus at your age, in your week?
- Older Kids: Andy said we should be “disciples who make disciples.” What’s the difference between just being a Christian and actually helping someone else follow Jesus?
- Grown-ups, your turn: Who was someone who helped you grow in your faith? How did they do it — and who might you be able to do that for now?
Try It
Each person writes or draws one name on a sticky note — someone they want to help know Jesus better, whether that’s a friend, a cousin, a classmate or a neighbour. Stick the notes somewhere you’ll see them during the week, like the fridge or a bedroom mirror. Every time you see that name, say a quick prayer for that person.
Pray Together
Finish with this together out loud: “Jesus, thank you for calling us to follow you. Help our family to keep following, and help us to bring others along with us. Amen.”
