This week, we find Jesus calling his first disciples. Peter Walsh, Elizabeth Garnsey, and John Kennedy dive into just how much these fishermen were leaving behind, why they would follow Jesus, and what life they were taking on by putting aside another.

Questions for Further Discussion:

Themes and Application

1. The clergy describe this passage as a “hinge” in Matthew’s Gospel. What feels like it is turning or shifting here in Jesus’ story, and why might that matter for how we read what comes next?
2. The episode spends time unpacking the idea that “geography is theology.” Where Jesus goes carries meaning. Where do you notice God showing up in unexpected or overlooked places today?
3. The call of the disciples is immediate and costly. What do you think Matthew wants his original audience to hear in the disciples’ willingness to leave work, family, and stability?

Personal Reflection

1. The fishermen are ordinary people, not religious elites. How does that shape your understanding of who Jesus calls and equips for meaningful work?
2. “Follow me” is not just an invitation to believe, but to reorient one’s entire life. What would following Jesus look like as a concrete reorientation in your current season?
3. The discussion explores Jesus as deeply rooted in vocation rather than driven by self-protection. How do you discern the difference between vocation and self-preservation in your own decisions?

Broader Spiritual Considerations

1. Fish and fishing are explored as rich, layered symbols, connected to chaos, depth, and drawing hidden life into the light. How does this imagery expand your understanding of what it means to be “fishers of people”?
2. Jesus proclaims the kingdom as already near and then demonstrates it through healing, teaching, and compassion. Why might lived mercy be essential before deep transformation can take root?
3. If Matthew’s Gospel is helping people rebuild their faith without a physical temple, what practices today help us recognize God dwelling among us and within us?

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