Gone Fishin' [For People]

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We as a ministry went fishing about a month ago. We also talked about fishing on Wednesday though because Jesus had fishermen for disciples. Jesus called his disciples with the phrase: "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men" (Mark 1:17) This draws a similarity between sharing your faith and fishing that is worth reflecting on. Here are some practical parallels between fishing and evangelism:

 Be alert & have patience

 We need to be sensitive to know the tug of opportunity to share our faith. We cannot manufacture guaranteed opportunities to share the Gospel. We can align ourselves so that we are equipped and available to walk through the "open door."

Be persistent 

Sometimes it takes a couple trips to catch a fish. Sometimes even when you get a bite you have to "let them have the bait" for a while to swallow it so you can reel them in. Sometimes we need to give people space when talking about the gospel. Maybe we should break it up over the course of a couple conversations. Maybe we should take it slow and ask "is this clear to you?" or "does any of this make you pause and think?"

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Use different rods, lines, and baits

Use different rods, lines, and baits for different kinds of fish. There is only one gospel that saves, but the way we introduce it and explain it's concepts can (and should) vary for different ages, maturity, and educational levels. There is not a "one size fits all" method for sharing the gospel. Start today by learning one that connects with the people you are around most. I personally think the "Three Circles" method is very engaging. We will be going over this in youth next year!

No guarantee you will catch anything

We can be alert, patient, persistent, and have the right gear, but that doesn't guarantee we will catch a fish. We are called to fish for men, but we cannot make anyone believe the good news. All we can do is be faithful to what we are called to as fishers of men.

Let us remember what Paul said: I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (1st Corinthians 3:6, ESV)