Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

Y’all, my sweet daddy LOVES to go fishing. Big water, little water, river, creek, lake, or pond. He does not care where, when, or who joins him. Of course, he likes it when the fish are biting, but we all know that is not always the case. Sometimes it’s too hot or too cold, too early, or too late in the day…or maybe because he had to say too many times, “Be quiet, you’re going to scare the fish away!” Whatever the case, you must be in the right place at the right time to hook a fish.

Maybe a little patience. The right bait. Time. The fish are not lining up waiting to jump on your hook. If you hooked a fish every time you cast your line, it wouldn’t be called fishing; it would be called catching, right?

Just like the fish swimming around your hook, there are people all around you in your life that you know, that you love, work with, pass in the hallway, order breakfast from, shop with, stand in line with, that are your neighbors, classmates, and so on and so on!

When Jesus told Simon and Andrew, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men," he literally meant for them to go and “catch” people, not with a hook, but with the WORD OF GOD. WITH THE LOVE OF GOD!

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV) 

As disciples, it is our responsibility to go out and make new followers of Jesus. They are not lined up waiting for you or anyone to hook them to Jesus. You have to be in the right place at the right time, have a little patience, a lot of grace for yourself and them, and the right word for them.

“Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV)

We were not all given the “gift of gab,” and you may find it difficult or feel like a weirdo trying to talk to someone about their salvation. I mean, Paul even mentions that others may think we are crazy, “For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God,” 2 Corinthians 5:13 ("beside ourselves" translates to "crazy").

Personally, I am not a talker; I am a typer. (Unless you are under the age of 12. Kids don’t scare me! That is why I taught elementary school.)

You don’t have to be a “talker,” though! You can be an INVITER! House Church is the PERFECT opportunity for you to invite. Free food in a comfortable, friendly, small environment, and JESUS. The new semester will be here before we know it! Who are you inviting? Who are you going to teach to fish?

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.

• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.