FISH
“Follow Me, and I will make you FISHERS of men.” Matthew 4:19
1. Who?
All disciples of Jesus are called to be fishers of men—not just pastors or evangelists. Every believer is part of God’s rescue mission (Matt. 4:19; 2 Cor. 5:20).
A small focused team can accomplish more than a large unfocused team.
God raises up leaders to coach small teams. They understand the framework of discipleship. They understand reality, truth, and value found in the seven claims of our Lord. They use a fishing strategy to impact the world for His glory.
2. What?
“Fishing for men” means proclaiming the gospel, calling people to repent and believe in Jesus Christ for salvation (Luke 5:10; Acts 2:38). Then give them a discipleship plan. They will grow in grace and knowledge when they learn a fishing strategy.
Give them a Discipleship Strategy. We learn more and more as we take others into these three areas.
- Understanding the Worldview Roadmap (the big picture)
- Understanding the Apologetics Cube (the details)
- Understanding the Genesis Foundation (the warzone)
3. When?
Now is the time to fish. The harvest is ripe; we are called to be ready in season and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2; John 4:35).
4. Where?
Everywhere—locally and globally. From your home and workplace to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:19).
Fishing for men is the greatest thing we can do.
- Reject the lie that fishing is only for retired people
- Reject the lie that fishing is only for the professionals
Jesus fished for John who was a teenager. He was not the professional fishermen that Peter was … yet God used him to write down the seven things we have when we have Jesus. (7Blades) And later he wrote the revelation of Christ, the last book in the book of Books.
The Scriptures are “Specific” Revelation and Nature is “General” Revelation
Romans 1 explains that God’s “ invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and
divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,
in the things that have been made.”
In our culture it is easy to share a link from nature that is interesting to people. The following are examples:
Math
Music
- Amazing Grace – John Newton (1700’s) Popular hymn’s message of redemption and grace.
- How Great Thou Art – Carl Boberg (1885) George Beverly Shea sang it during Billy Graham’s evangelistic crusades in the 1950’s.
- I Can Only Imagine – MercyMe – a Christian song that resonates with millions
- Jesus Take the Wheel – Carrie Underwood – An emotional ballad about surrendering to faith.
- Long Black Train – Josh Turner – A warning against temptation and sin.
- I Saw the Light – Hank Williams – A joyful, upbeat classic
- I’ll Fly Away – Various artists – with a country vibe.
- The Old Rugged Cross – Alan Jackson – A beautiful rendition of the traditional hymn.
- Rise Up be done with lesser things hymn written in 1911
Magazines
Imprimis is the free monthly speech digest of Hillsdale College and is dedicated to educating citizens and promoting civil and religious liberty by covering cultural, economic, political, and educational issues. The content of Imprimis is drawn from speeches delivered at Hillsdale College events. First published in 1972, Imprimis is one of the most widely circulated opinion publications in the nation with over six million subscribers.
Reading this brief summary and then giving it to someone is a good way to develop conversations.
5. Why?
Because people are eternally lost without Christ, and because God desires that none perish but all come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9; Rom. 10:14).
Because people are trapped. Caught in things that will destroy them.
Because people are tossed around by the news, the cultural narrative, idols in sports, movies, and politics.
Biblicisit
6. How?
Through Spirit-empowered witness, loving relationships, clear gospel truth, courage, and prayerful dependence (Acts 1:8; Col. 4:3–6; 1 Pet. 3:15).
Jesus wants us to make three decisions:
to follow Him
to learn from Him, and
to go fishing for men like he did.
Fishing is simply reaching out to those who will listen.
Most people have no structure for their life.
They move from this thing to that thing.
They are busy pursuing things that will not last.
Doing things that have little long term benefit.
They are like fish swimming around in a bowl looking for food
and protection from danger.
They have no clue that God loves them and desires to give them
The Reality, Truth and Value found in Him.
But, If they decide to repent, and accept Christ as Lord and Savior. In
other words they are willing to be caught by His Love and His gift of
salvation. They begin to grow in His grace. They learn to Love God.
They learn to fish for others.
Fishing for people willing to follow, to learn desire to tell others about
things that are Real, – visible or invisible
things that are True and
things that are Valuable.
Fishing Tackle Box – Fishing Links, Books and Magazines, Movies, etc.
Got Questions.org has 15 million visitors each month. We have access to questions and answers to help people.
Seven Reasons Why I Believe the Bible is True Dr. John Barnett
Links to 50 top questions about Genesis, Creation, and Noah’s Flood
- How did all the animals fit into the Ark?
- What’s the best evidence for Noah’s Flood?
- Where did Cain get his wife?
- Where did all the races come from?
- Did God really create everything in six normal days?
- When did the flood happen?
MANY other questions Answers in Genesis
The 7 Myths That Deny the Historicity of Genesis, Creation, and Noah’s
Flood. Dr. Dan Biddle
- Myth 1 – While the Bible may be ‘inspired,’ by God, it’s not ‘inerrant’ and parts of it are just myths.
- Myth 2 – The Bible’s account of Creation is metaphorical, the six creation days were not ordinary, and creation unfolded over millions of years.
- Myth 3 – Genesis 1 & 2 provide two different accounts of creation.
- Myth 4 – Adam and Eve were not real people, only allegorical figures in the story of evolution.
- Myth 5 – The Bible’s account of Noah’s Flood is just myth and was drawn from writings from the Ancient Near East.
- Myth 6 – Moses did not actually write the first five books of the Bible.
- Myth 7 – Dinosaurs died out millions of years ago, did not walk with man, and are not mentioned in the Bible.
Fishing with fishing partners, who share life together. Nothing is better.
Fishing – 153 Fishing Strategy developed from the last chapter of the gospel of John. We call it Breakfast on the Beach – Jesus made breakfast for his disciples and explained the things they would encounter.
The number 153 is the number of large fish that Jesus orchestrated to be caught. He knows where the fish are and how to catch them.
- One Leader becomes familiar with all three modules on the Disciples University App
- Five people are selected. He coaches them with…
- Three questions and questions found in each blade. Together they review these questions, once a week for seven weeks.
7. Example 1:
The Early Church (Acts 2–4) The early believers preached boldly, prayed fervently, and shared the gospel everywhere. Thousands were saved despite persecution.
D.L. Moody had the same life priority. He said, “I do not fear failure, rather I fear succeeding at something that really doesn’t matter.”
Our story should become our lifestyle. 7Blades # 7 lists people in church history that encourage us to focus, to stay strong, to never, never, never quit.
C.S. Lewis wrote…
to be ignorant and not be able
to meet the enemies on their own ground would be
to throw down our weapons, and
to betray our uneducated brethren who have, under God,
no defense but us against the intellectual attacks of the heathen.
Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because
Bad philosophy needs to be answered.
People are swimming around in bad philosophy. They need good information from God’s word and (links) from leaders that have a clear message.
God desires that we use words to draw people from one environment (like water) into the light.
8. Example 2:
William Carey (Father of Modern Missions) took the gospel to India and translated Scripture into local languages. He showed how faithful, sacrificial obedience can reach nations.
William Wilberforce and Dietrich Bonhoeffer also had a great impact on culture.
Wilberforce Movie and the book written about him by Eric Metaxas
Dietrich Bonhoeffer movie and the book written about him by Eric Metaxas
9. Example 3: Fishing with master fishermen
John C. Whitcomb was a man that God gifted with a brilliant mind and strong faith. He co-authored the book, The Genesis Flood with Dr. Henry Morris. This book in 1961 started the modern creationist movement.
He stood for truth against the intellectual lies taught at Princeton University when he returned from World War 2 to finish his studies.
Many years ago I spoke with Dr. John Whitcomb at a Bible Conference. He taught me why and how Dinosaurs were on the Ark. He died at 92. His son, a medical doctor, wrote his life story. It is very encouraging.
Summary: Master Fishermen …
- Know their identity in Christ.
- Proclaim the gospel boldly and wisely.
- Partner with the Plan of The Trinity
Introduction of the 3 cities of thought
This passage is the basis of the next three sides of the disciples cube.
Jerusalem is our Biblical learning center. It is surrounded by three cities of thought. These ideas are found in every city of the world.
This passage addresses:
- The World system (a lifestyle advanced in Athens)
- The Flesh (a lifestyle advanced in Alexandria)
- The Devil a (lifestyle advanced in Babylon)
Ephesians 2
As for you,
you were dead in your transgressions
and sins, 2 in which Bad Situation
you used to live when you followed
the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, The Devil
the spirit who is now at work in those
who are disobedient. 3
All of us also lived among them at one time,
gratifying the cravings of our flesh and
following its desires and thoughts.
Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4
But The Redeemed because of his great love for us, God, God’s Love
who is rich in mercy, 5 God’s Mercy
made us alive with Christ even when God’s Action – Life
we were dead in transgressions—it is The Problem
by grace you have been saved. 6 And God’s Grace
God raised us up with Christ and The What – Raised
seated us with him in The What – Seated
the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 The Where –
in order that in the coming ages The Why
he might show the incomparable riches of The How
his grace, expressed in Grace
his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is Kindness
by grace you have been saved, The Gift
through faith—and this is not from yourselves, The Gift
it is the gift of God— 9 not The Gift
by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For
we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do
good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
1. The World
1 John 2:15–17 – “Do not love
the world or
the things in
the world. If anyone loves
the world,
the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in
the world—
the desires of
the flesh and
the desires of
the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from
the Father but is from
the world.”
James 4:4 – friendship with
the world is enmity with God.”
2. The Flesh
Galatians 5:16–17 – “Walk by
the Spirit, and you will not gratify
the desires of the flesh. For
the desires of the flesh are against
the Spirit…”
Romans 7:18 – “For I know that nothing
good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.”
3. The Devil
1 Peter 5:8 – “Your adversary the devil
prowls around like a roaring lion,
seeking someone to devour.”
Ephesians 6:11–12 – “Put on
the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against
the schemes of the devil.”
All Three Together
Ephesians 2:1–3 brings all three together:
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
in which you once walked, following the course of this world,
following the prince of the power of the air (the devil),
the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh…”
Summary Table
| Source of Temptation | Key Verses | Description |
| The World | 1 John 2:15–17, James 4:4 | External system of rebellion against God |
| The Flesh | Galatians 5:16–17, Romans 7:18 | Internal sinful nature |
| The Devil | 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:11–12 | Spiritual enemy and tempter |