Just this week I spoke to a group of Christian teenagers on the topic of discipleship. I only had about 15 minutes to communicate my point, so I tried to talk about something that would help them understand the need regarding discipleship. I wanted them to be challenged to break from the normal pattern of cultural faith which is so prevalent in the Western expression of Christianity. Too often, our teenagers are brought up to follow a certain pattern in their lives, a set plan as it were. I notice it all the time. They’re pressured to figure out the rest of their lives before they turn 18. College, career, life plan…better get it figured out! And often, they then stick to that plan, regardless of the opportunities they may pass up. Money, education, and status become very important, very easily. Our focuses can be pulled away from Jesus very easily.
I love how Jesus called out to Peter and Andew, and they immediately followed him:
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19
