By Ariel
Contents
Key Takeaways:
- Call of the First Disciples invites ordinary people into Jesus’ mission.
- Following Jesus reshapes routines with love, courage, and purpose.
- Small steps—listen, trust, move—grow strong faith at home and school.
Hi, friends! It’s Ariel here—and wow, do I have something amazing to share with you!
This time, the Time Audit Machine transported us to the peaceful, sun-drenched shores of the Sea of Galilee—one of the most beautiful and meaningful places in the Bible. The golden light sparkled across the water, and the breeze carried the soft sound of lapping waves as we stepped into one of the most life-changing moments in all of history.
We were there to witness it: the very moment Jesus called His first disciples.
Let me tell you—it wasn’t just a history lesson. It was an invitation that reached straight into our hearts. We watched as Jesus approached Simon Peter and Andrew, ordinary fishermen with nets in hand, and spoke the words that changed everything:
“Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.”
(Mark 1:17)
And they did! Just like that, they dropped their nets and followed Him.
It was powerful.
Each of the disciples we met had their own story. Different talents. Different challenges. But Jesus saw something in each of them—and called them anyway. That’s when it hit me: His invitation wasn’t about how perfect they were—it was about how ready they were to say yes.
Even though this moment happened centuries ago, it felt like Jesus was speaking to us, too. Like His invitation to follow wasn’t just for Peter and Andrew… it was for me. For Alice. For you.
Download the Family Study PDF
Matthew 4:12–25 overview, discussion prompts, and journaling space.
This trip made me realize something so cool:
God still calls people today.
And just like those first disciples, we don’t need to have everything figured out. We just need a heart that’s willing to trust Him and take the first step.
So come along with me as we explore this incredible moment together! Let’s learn how Jesus’ call to “follow Me” is still echoing through time—inviting us to live with purpose, love with courage, and walk in faith, one step at a time.
TL;DR
Jesus calls fishermen to follow Him and promises a new purpose: becoming “fishers of men.” Families today follow with small, faithful steps—learning His way, serving people, and sharing hope.
🎣 An Invitation to Follow: Why Jesus Chose Fishermen
Our latest journey began in the most unexpected place—right in our cozy living room.
Alice and I were curled up on the couch, watching a nature documentary about the ocean. The sounds of crashing waves filled the room, and brilliant schools of fish flashed across the screen. Alice kept pointing out every fish that looked even a little bit like Mr. Fluffernutter (our super-curious pet bunny). “That one’s totally him if he had flippers!” she giggled.
We imagined him snorkeling through coral reefs, chasing jellyfish, and maybe even trying to start his own underwater kingdom of sea bunnies. 🌊🐇
As I watched the vibrant ocean scenes, something stirred in me. All those fish… and then suddenly I thought of fishermen.
“Daddy,” I asked, “why did Jesus call fishermen to be His disciples? Wouldn’t He have picked, I don’t know… someone more important? Like a teacher or a king?”
Daddy paused the show and turned to us with a smile.
“Jesus chose ordinary people on purpose,” he said. “People like fishermen. Because His message is for everyone—not just the rich, powerful, or super smart. What made those disciples special wasn’t their jobs. It was their faith. They trusted Jesus and followed Him. That’s what made their story extraordinary.”
That answer settled something deep in my heart.
It reminded me that God doesn’t need us to be perfect or important—He just wants us to be willing.
Alice, wide-eyed and bubbling with excitement, clapped her hands and shouted, “Let’s go see it for ourselves!”
Of course, that could only mean one thing:
⏱️ Time Audit Machine, engage!
We ran to the garage, keyed in the coordinates, and listened as the machine began to hum and glow. The light swirled around us like sunlight on ocean waves, and suddenly… we were off!
Destination: The Sea of Galilee.
Mission: To witness the moment Jesus invited the first disciples to follow Him.
Would we meet Simon Peter and Andrew hauling in nets?
Would we hear Jesus’ voice calling out across the water?
Would we finally understand what it means to be called—not for what we can do, but for who we are?
I felt my heart beat faster—not from nerves, but from wonder.
The ocean documentary had taken us deep into the sea.
But the Time Audit Machine was about to take us deep into a calling.
And I couldn’t wait to see where Jesus’ invitation would lead.
Kid-Safe Links:
FAQ
Answer: Fishing builds patience, teamwork, and persistence—great habits for sharing God’s love.
🌊 The Journey: Witnessing the Call of the First Disciples
When the Time Audit Machine gently landed, we found ourselves standing on the shores of the Sea of Galilee—and for a moment, it felt like we’d stepped into the pages of a living storybook.
The salty breeze brushed across our faces as the waves whispered rhythmically against the rocks. Seagulls soared overhead, their cries blending with the sound of gently flapping sails on wooden fishing boats that dotted the sparkling blue water.
Colorful nets stretched across sun-drenched decks, glinting like threads of silver as the fishermen worked—pulling, untangling, tossing, repeating. Their movements were so skillful and steady, it felt like watching a dance passed down through generations.
The warmth of the sun blanketed the hillside, and everything shimmered in golden light. It was peaceful. It was beautiful. And it was brimming with expectation.
Then… He appeared.
Jesus.
Not with fanfare or trumpets—but with a presence so powerful, it made time stand still. He walked with quiet authority, His robe trailing just above the sand, His eyes full of purpose and gentle compassion.
He approached two men—Simon Peter and Andrew—busy casting their nets into the sea. And with a voice that seemed to echo through the air and into our hearts, He said:
“Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.”
(Mark 1:17)
In that moment, something shifted.
Not just in them. In us, too.
Watching from a distance, we saw the exact moment their lives changed forever. They looked at Jesus. They looked at each other. And without hesitation, they dropped their nets—and followed Him.
The call wasn’t loud.
It wasn’t forced.
But it was undeniably powerful.
It wasn’t just a scene—it was an invitation. An invitation to see how the divine meets the ordinary. How fishermen become followers. How everyday moments become eternal ones when Jesus steps in.
Standing on that ancient shore, I realized something:
Jesus still calls people today—in quiet moments, in ordinary places, in the middle of the daily grind.
And like Peter and Andrew, we don’t need to be perfect or important.
We just need to be willing.
Family Activity — Net of Kindness
- Draw a big net on paper.
- Write names of classmates, neighbors, or relatives on the strands.
- Plan one loving action for each name this week.
- Pray together for courage to follow Jesus in each action.
Optional visual helper: Educational Worksheet
Kid-Safe Links
FAQ
Answer: Greet new classmates, share supplies, include others at recess, and ask God for wisdom during conflicts.
🎣 The Call of Simon and Andrew: Becoming Fishers of People
“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
(Matthew 4:19)
When Jesus spoke those words, everything changed.
Simon and Andrew paused in the middle of their work—hands still wet from their nets, feet firm in the sand—and looked at each other. Without a word, they dropped their nets and stepped forward.
No questions. No hesitation.
Just a quiet, powerful yes.
I gasped and whispered, “They didn’t even ask where He was going!” My pencil froze mid-sentence in my notebook. The moment was that powerful.
Daddy smiled and said,
“When Jesus calls, sometimes you don’t need to understand everything. You just know—deep in your heart—that you’re meant to follow.”
The air around us seemed to shimmer with anticipation. It wasn’t just a historical event we were witnessing—it was a divine invitation still echoing into our world today.
Alice, hugging Mr. Fluffernutter tightly to her chest, tilted her head.
“What does ‘fishers of men’ mean?” she asked, her voice soft with wonder.
It was such a good question—one that reaches right into the heart of what Jesus was saying.
Daddy took a moment before answering, letting the meaning settle over us like sunlight on the water.
“Jesus wasn’t talking about catching fish anymore,” he explained.
“He was inviting them to a new kind of purpose—to help bring people closer to God. To share His love. To live lives that point others to hope.”
That’s when I really got it.
These weren’t just fishermen being asked to change their jobs. They were being called into a life of mission—a life where every word, every act of love, every step forward would help shine light into the world.
And guess what?
That same invitation is open to us.
We may not be standing on the shore of Galilee with nets in our hands, but Jesus still calls us today—to be kind, to be brave, and to share His love wherever we go. To be fishers of people in our schools, our homes, and even right here in our time-traveling adventures.
As Daddy spoke, I could almost feel the water tickling my toes and the sun warming my shoulders. The world around me faded as one thought filled my heart:
✨ Maybe I’m being called, too.
✨ Maybe we all are.
And that call? It’s not about being perfect.
It’s about saying yes.
Kid-Safe Links:
FAQ — Did disciples stop caring about family?
Answer: Following Jesus deepens love for family. Priorities shift to God’s mission while honoring parents and serving community.
🚣 The Call of James and John: Trusting the Journey Ahead
As Jesus continued walking along the shoreline, we spotted two more fishermen—James and John—working beside their father in a wooden boat.
Their nets were worn but strong, their hands moving with the practiced rhythm of men who had spent their lives by the sea. Their father’s face, weathered from years under the sun, held the quiet wisdom of someone who had lived many stories on the water.
Then Jesus stopped… and called out.
“Follow me.”
(Matthew 4:21–22)
Without hesitation, James and John stood up. Their eyes met for a moment, and then—they left everything.
Their boat.
Their nets.
Even their father.
They walked toward Jesus, hearts pounding with the weight of what they were choosing—and the wonder of what lay ahead.
Alice grabbed my hand and whispered, “They left their dad?”
Her voice trembled a little, a mix of wonder and sadness in her eyes.
Daddy knelt beside her and said,
“Yes, sweetheart. That’s how powerful Jesus’ call was. Sometimes, when God calls us, we have to leave behind things we love. Not because they don’t matter—but because we’re being invited into something even greater.”
He paused for a moment, then added,
“Their father knew, too. He probably felt proud and sad at the same time. But watching his sons walk toward Jesus… that was a moment filled with purpose and faith.”
That’s when I understood something big:
Following Jesus doesn’t always mean comfort—it means courage.
James and John didn’t know what the future would hold. But they said yes anyway.
They trusted that the One calling them would lead them somewhere worth going.
That moment reminded me that when God invites us into something new, it might be hard to let go—but it’s always worth stepping forward in faith.
And just like James and John, we’re all invited to trust God with our tomorrows, even when we can’t see the whole picture yet.
Kid-Safe Links:
FAQ
Answer: Pray honestly, start small, and invite a parent or friend to walk with you. Courage often grows while you move.
🕊️ Teaching and Healing in Galilee: Living the Kingdom Now
As we continued following Jesus and His growing group of disciples, the peaceful shoreline gave way to bustling villages filled with life and wonder.
Everywhere we looked, people were drawn to Him.
👨🌾 Farmers paused mid-harvest, their hands resting on the soil they had worked since sunrise.
🛍️ Merchants stepped away from their booths, the usual chatter of bargaining replaced by a quiet expectation.
👨👩👧 Families gathered in clusters, with children peeking out from behind robes, their eyes wide with curiosity and awe.
Then, Jesus spoke—His voice clear and full of purpose:
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
(Matthew 4:17)
Alice tugged on my sleeve and whispered, “What does ‘kingdom of heaven’ mean?”
Daddy knelt beside her, his voice calm and warm.
“It’s the world the way God dreams it to be,” he explained.
“A place filled with peace, joy, and love—a kingdom where kindness leads and forgiveness flows. Jesus wasn’t just talking about heaven someday. He was inviting us to start living like that right now.”
That made something light up inside me.
Jesus wasn’t calling people to run away from the world.
He was calling them to transform it—starting in their own hearts.
His message reached everyone:
- 💬 The sick who needed healing.
- 💬 The lonely who longed to belong.
- 💬 The broken who needed hope.
And with every word, every healing touch, every prayer He offered—He was bringing the kingdom of heaven close.
I realized that the kingdom of heaven isn’t just a faraway place.
It’s something we help build here on earth every time we choose to:
- Forgive instead of fight.
- Help instead of ignore.
- Love instead of judge.
Jesus came to show us how to do that—how to let God’s love shine through our lives, one kind choice at a time.
And the best part?
We’re invited to be part of it.
Kid-Safe Links:
FAQ:
Answer: Pray out loud, serve neighbors together, read Scripture as a family, apologize quickly, forgive freely.
💖 The Power of Jesus’ Love: Healing That Transforms Hearts
One of the most unforgettable moments of our journey was witnessing Jesus healing the sick—not just one or two people, but everyone who came to Him with faith and hope.
We watched as the blind opened their eyes, seeing the world for the very first time. The lame stood tall, walking with strength that had once felt impossible. The sick were restored, their pain replaced with peace—all by a single touch or even just a word from Jesus.
I could hardly believe my eyes.
“He’s healing everyone!” I whispered, scribbling as fast as I could in my notebook, trying to capture the wonder of what was happening right before us.
Daddy’s eyes shimmered as he watched, too.
“This is the heart of Jesus’ ministry,” he said, his voice full of awe.
“He didn’t just speak love—He lived it. Every miracle was God’s compassion in action.”
Jesus wasn’t there to perform a show. He was there to restore lives, to show that God’s love reaches into every corner of suffering—and heals it.
As the crowd grew larger, I began to notice how beautifully diverse it was—people of every background, age, and story, all united by a shared longing for healing and truth. Some leaned on canes. Others held babies. Some came with tears, others with quiet prayers.
And still, Jesus welcomed every single one.
“Everyone wants to follow Him,” Alice said, eyes wide with wonder.
Daddy nodded.
“And He welcomes them all. No matter where they’re from. No matter what they’ve done.”
His words echoed through me—Jesus doesn’t turn anyone away. His love is wide enough, deep enough, and strong enough for every heart that seeks Him.
As the golden sun dipped lower in the sky, the entire hillside glowed with a sense of peace. People were sharing stories of transformation—of pain exchanged for purpose, of despair traded for joy. Laughter mixed with tears. Strangers became neighbors. The air was alive with hope.
In that moment, I realized something:
Jesus’ miracles weren’t just about physical healing.
They were about restoring dignity, rebuilding broken spirits, and proving that God’s love is for everyone.
And the most amazing part?
That same love—the one that opened blind eyes and mended broken hearts—is still available to us today.
Jesus came to heal, to love, and to invite everyone into a life of joy, peace, and purpose.
And that love… it changes everything.
🏠 Returning Home: Answering the Call of Jesus Today
Back in the garage, the glow of the Time Audit Machine had faded, but our hearts were still glowing with everything we had seen and experienced.
For a long moment, we just sat there in silence, the air filled with reflection.
Then I said, softly,
“Jesus didn’t call perfect people. He called people who were willing to follow Him—no matter what.”
The words settled over us like a warm blanket, carrying the weight of truth.
Because that’s what this whole adventure had been about.
Daddy looked up thoughtfully, his eyes distant and full of memory.
“He’s still calling people today,” he said. “The question is… are we ready to say yes?”
That question hit my heart like a spark.
What does it really mean to say yes to Jesus’ call?
It’s not just a one-time answer. It’s a choice we make every single day—to trust, to follow, to love, even when it’s uncomfortable or uncertain.
I thought about times in my own life when I felt that quiet nudge to step out of my comfort zone. Maybe it was speaking up for someone, praying out loud, or showing kindness when I didn’t feel like it. Sometimes I hesitated. Sometimes I followed through. But every time, I learned something new about faith.
I pictured a dozen paths in front of me—some bright and easy, others winding and rocky.
And I realized: following Jesus doesn’t mean the road will always be smooth.
But it does mean I’ll never walk alone.
Saying yes might mean facing challenges that stretch me.
It might mean standing for what’s right when it’s hard.
But it also means discovering who I truly am—and who God created me to be.
In the quiet of our garage, surrounded by tools, toys, and time-travel memories, I felt a gentle stirring deep inside me. A whisper, not out loud—but in my heart:
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be willing.
Following Jesus isn’t about knowing all the answers.
It’s about trusting the One who does.
So today, I say yes.
To His love.
To His call.
To His adventure.
And I hope you will too.
🐾 Your Turn to Follow Jesus: Say Yes to the Adventure
Now that we’ve seen how Jesus called His first disciples—ordinary people with open hearts—it’s time to ask: How will YOU respond to His call?
Just like Peter, Andrew, James, and John, we’re invited into a journey of faith, purpose, and love. Here are some simple but powerful ways we can follow Jesus today:
💫 Trust Him Completely
The disciples didn’t have all the answers—but they trusted Jesus. And that’s where it starts.
💡 When life feels uncertain, trust that Jesus sees the full picture.
🙏 Pray when you’re worried. Ask Him for wisdom, and believe that His plan is better than anything we could imagine.
Faith begins when we say, “I don’t know everything… but I know God does.”
🎣 Share His Love Like a Fisher of People
Jesus told His disciples to become “fishers of men.” That means spreading His love to others!
- 💬 Speak kind words.
- ❤️ Listen to someone who’s hurting.
- 📖 Share what Jesus has done in your life.
Every smile, every act of service, every story of hope can help someone else feel God’s presence and draw closer to Him.
👑 Live for His Kingdom
Following Jesus means living with purpose.
- 🌍 Choose compassion over competition.
- 🕊 Stand for truth, even when it’s hard.
- 🌟 Bring light into dark places by reflecting God’s love in your actions.
When we live for God’s kingdom, our lives become part of something so much bigger than ourselves.
🚶♀️ Take the First Step
Every great journey begins with a simple word: yes.
- 📍 Say yes to Jesus.
- 📍 Say yes to loving others.
- 📍 Say yes to growing in faith—one step at a time.
Whether it’s joining a youth group, praying for the first time, or helping someone in need, every act of obedience opens the door to amazing transformation.
💖 Remember—Jesus’ Invitation Is for Everyone
No matter your age, background, or past mistakes, Jesus is calling you. Not because you’re perfect, but because He loves you unconditionally.
He sees your heart. He knows your story. And He’s inviting you to follow Him into a life filled with peace, purpose, and adventure.
You don’t have to walk alone.
Let’s say yes—together.
With love, faith, and a heart ready to follow,
Ariel 💖
Keep Exploring on Blogging4Adventure
Quick Check Quiz
Compare & Discern
| Response | Focus | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Delay & excuses | Comfort | Missed opportunities |
| Follow halfway | Self | Inconsistent growth |
| Whole-hearted follow | Jesus | Purpose, service, joy |
Vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Disciple | Student who learns and lives a teacher’s way. |
| Follow | Trust Jesus, learn His teaching, practice His love. |
| Repent | Turn from wrong toward God’s way and repair. |
| Gospel | Good news of Jesus’ kingdom, salvation, and hope. |
References
| Citation | Link |
|---|---|
| Blogging4Adventure — Accountability in Love (1 Cor 5) | Open |
| Blogging4Adventure — Understanding DNA | Open |
| Blogging4Adventure — Minecraft Zoo | Open |
| BibleGateway — Matthew 4:18–22 | Open |
| Enduring Word — Matthew 4 Commentary | Open |
| GotQuestions — Disciples of Jesus | Open |
Practice & Pray
Call of the First Disciples starts with listening to Jesus and taking one faithful step. Pray for courage, serve someone near you, and celebrate small obediences together.
Ariel — Kid Author & Faith Explorer
Homeschool writer at Blogging4Adventure, blending Bible study, science, and family activities. Posts reviewed by Mom & Dad for accuracy and safety; Scripture cross-checked with trusted tools.
FAQ
Where should families start with this story?
Read Matthew 4:18–22 together, then choose one “Net of Kindness” action this week.
How long does the activity take?
15–20 minutes to plan; actions unfold across the week.
Is there a printable?
Yes! Download the PDF and use the coloring page.