Small Groups

Gospel Reading: Mark 1:14–20 "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people." -Mark 1:17

Fellowship

Fellowship time with snacks

Gathering Time (5–10 minutes)

Form groups of three or four and discuss the following questions: Has there ever been a moment when one decision or one invitation changed the direction of your life? What happened, and why was it so significant?

Scripture Reading and Group Dialogue— (30-35 minutes)

Scripture: Mark 1:14–20

As the scripture is read, listen carefully for three movements in the text:

Who is calling?
Who is responding?
What are they leaving behind?

Setting the Biblical Scene

Mark's Gospel moves quickly. There are no lengthy conversations or extended introductions. Jesus enters Galilee proclaiming a single, world-changing announcement: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news" (Mark 1:15). Everything changes because God's reign has drawn near. Repentance is more than feeling guilty. It means changing one's mind, redirecting one's life, and embracing God's kingdom over every competing allegiance. Immediately after announcing the kingdom, Jesus calls ordinary fishermen: Simon, Andrew, James, and John. None were political leaders. None were religious elites. None were wealthy or influential. Y Christ chose ordinary people through whom he would change the world. The kingdom has always advanced through ordinary people who faithfully say "yes" to an extraordinary Savior.

Background Notes/Teaching Insights— "The Kingdom of God Has Come Near"

Jesus' first sermon begins with hope rather than condemnation. God's kingdom is breaking into history through Jesus. This announcement fulfills Israel's longing for God's reign, a reign characterized by justice, righteousness, mercy, peace, and reconciliation. The kingdom is both a present reality and a future promise. Followers of Jesus live under his reign today while anticipating its fullness when Christ returns.
Repentance Is Reorientation:The Greek word metanoia means a profound change of mind and direction. Biblical repentance involves more than turning away from sin. It means turning toward God's purposes. Repentance reshapes our priorities, relationships, values, and vocation. It is not simply behavior modification. It is kingdom transformation.
"Follow Me": In the first century, rabbis were normally sought out by promising students. Jesus reverses the pattern. He seeks his disciples before they seek him. Grace always comes first. Discipleship begins not with our initiative but with Christ's invitation.
Leaving Their Nets: The fishermen did not abandon work because work lacked value. Rather, their work received a new purpose. Jesus transforms vocation. Fishing becomes an image of gathering people into God's redeeming mission. Our careers, families, education, retirement, and daily responsibilities become places where God's kingdom is made visible. Every disciple has a calling. Not every calling looks the same. Every calling belongs to Christ.
Living the Text:Mark reminds us that following Jesus always involves both surrender and participation. Jesus never calls people merely to admire him. He calls them to walk with him. The kingdom demands more than agreement. It invites transformation. The question is not simply: "Do I believe in Jesus?"The deeper question becomes: "Is every part of my life increasingly being shaped by the reign of King Jesus?" Repentance is both deeply personal and profoundly communal. It changes how we pray, how we spend, how we forgive, how we lead, how we vote our conscience, how we care for children, how we treat immigrants and strangers, how we respond to poverty, and how we steward creation. It changes how we conduct business and how we honor our neighbors. Following Jesus transforms every arena of life because no area of life lies outside God's kingdom.
Kingdom Emphasis:The first disciples left familiar routines because they trusted the one who called them. The church today is continually invited to that same courageous obedience. The kingdom grows whenever ordinary believers choose faithfulness over comfort, service over status, generosity over accumulation, and reconciliation over division. The invitation remains unchanged: "Follow me."Christ still calls disciples who are willing to participate in God's renewing work throughout the world.

Discussion Questions

Remembering:What was Jesus' first public proclamation and whom did he first call to follow him?
- Suggested Response: Jesus proclaimed, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." He then called Simon, Andrew, James, and John, ordinary fishermen, to become his disciples.
Understanding:Why did Jesus begin his ministry by preaching repentance before he called his disciples?
- Suggested Response: Repentance prepares the heart to receive God's reign. Before our hands can participate in God's work, our hearts must first be transformed by God's grace.
Applying: What "nets" might Jesus be asking you to leave behind to follow him more faithfully today?
- Suggested Response: Participants may identify fear, resentment, unhealthy habits, misplaced priorities, excessive busyness, prejudice, materialism, unhealthy relationships, or anything that competes with wholehearted devotion to Christ.
Analyzing: What does the disciples' immediate response and willingness to leave their nets teach us about authentic discipleship?
- Suggested Response: Following Jesus requires trust before certainty. Their obedience demonstrates that discipleship is not merely believing Jesus' words but reorganizing their lives around his kingdom.
Evaluating:Why is repentance often misunderstood in today's culture? How does Jesus redefine it?
- Suggested Response: Many people equate repentance with guilt or shame. Biblically, repentance is an invitation into new life. It is God's gracious call to turn toward his kingdom, where healing, reconciliation, and transformation become possible.
Creating: If Jesus walked through our community today, saying, "Follow me," what ministries, relationships, or acts of service might he invite our congregation to embrace more intentionally?
- Suggested Response: Participants may identify mentoring youth, strengthening families, supporting public schools, visiting nursing homes, supporting prison ministry, caring for veterans, addressing homelessness, creating economic opportunities, welcoming immigrants, advocating for children, or building relationships across generations and cultures.
Kingdom Reflection— When Justice Meets Righteousness: Jesus' invitation to "Follow me" was a call to participate in God's renewing work in the world. Throughout scripture, righteousness describes a right relationship with God. Justice describes what those transformed relationships look like in community. The disciple who follows Jesus learns to pray with clean hands and a compassionate heart. Holiness and justice are not competing priorities. They are inseparable expressions of kingdom living.
- A congregation that truly follows Christ becomes known not only for what it believes, but also for how it loves, welcomes, forgives, serves, and advocates for those whom Christ calls "the least of these." Following Jesus changes both our character and our conduct.
- Archbishop Óscar Romero of El Salvador faithfully proclaimed that Christian discipleship required both deep devotion to Christ and courageous love for vulnerable neighbors. He consistently preached that worship without concern for the suffering falls short of God's kingdom vision. Rooted in prayer, scripture, and pastoral care, Romero called the church to remain faithful to Christ, even when that faithfulness demanded sacrifice. His witness reminds us that repentance is turning away from sin but also turning toward God's mission. When believers follow Jesus with humility and courage, personal holiness naturally overflows into compassionate service, peacemaking, and the pursuit of justice.
- Today we see similar kingdom faithfulness in those who organize neighborhood food pantries, mentor children, advocate for foster families, accompany refugees, or volunteer after natural disasters. The invitation remains the same: "Follow me."
Just One Thing:This week, pray each morning: "Lord Jesus, help me follow you today." Then ask yourself each evening:
- Where did Christ invite me to follow him today?
- What "net" did I need to leave behind?
- How did I practice both personal holiness and compassionate justice?'
- Who experienced God's love through my words or actions?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for calling ordinary people into extraordinary kingdom service. Give us repentant hearts, courageous faith, and willing spirits. Teach us to leave behind whatever keeps us from fully following you. Shape us into disciples whose lives reflect both personal holiness and public compassion. May our church become a living witness to your justice, your righteousness, your mercy, and your redeeming love. In the name of Jesus Christ, who still calls us to follow him, we pray. Amen.

About the Author: The Reverend Dr. Victor T. McCullough serves as the senior pastor of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas. He previously served as a district superintendent in The United Methodist Church. His ministry seeks to unite biblical preaching, Wesleyan discipleship, spiritual formation, and social holiness so that congregations grow as faithful witnesses to Jesus Christ.