I Will Make You Fishers of Men
Month 3: Come, Follow Me · Memory Verse
Today's Scripture
Read together: Mark 1:16-18
16 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 18 And at once they left their nets and followed Him.
Memory Verse
““Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.””— Mark 1:17 (BSB)memorize this week
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Judges 12-14
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 69 of 365 — Jephthah and the early days of Samson.)The Heart of It
Let's slow down on this one short sentence and hide it in our hearts. Mark gives it to us in three quick beats. "Follow Me." That's the call. "I will make you." That's the promise. "Fishers of men." That's the purpose. Jesus takes a skill these men already had and gives it a brand-new aim that lasts forever. They knew how to catch fish to feed people's bodies. He would teach them to "catch" people to rescue their souls. Nothing about them was wasted. The Lord loves to take what is already in our hands and aim it at something that lasts forever.
Hold on to that little promise, "I will make you." Jesus is going to make them into something. And making someone takes time. Jesus didn't snap His fingers and turn Peter into a great soul-winner overnight. He walked with him for years, through failures and forgiveness, until the day Peter preached and three thousand were saved (). So when you memorize this verse, you're memorizing something you're living inside right now. You are someone Jesus is making. You're still in the middle of it. You're still being shaped. Following comes first. The fruit comes later, as He makes us.
Around the Table
Our verse has three parts. "Follow Me" is the come. "I will make you" is the part Jesus does. "Fishers of men" means helping people find Jesus!
Let's do it: Say it in three claps, one clap per part. Then do it three times, a little faster each round.
Jesus used the fishermen's own job as a picture. Instead of catching fish, they'd help "catch" people for God's family. What things you already enjoy could Jesus use one day?
Let's talk: Cover the verse and say it from memory. Who can do it with no peeking?
"I will make you" tells us that following Jesus is a journey, not an instant. Why is it freeing to know God is patient while He works on you?
Let's go deeper: Write the verse out. Then circle the three parts: call, promise, purpose. Which one do you most need to hear today?
💬 Conversation Starter
What's a skill you're good at? Maybe drawing, or soccer, or building, or talking to people. Now imagine Jesus saying, "I'll use that for My kingdom." How might He?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Notice that Jesus aimed His followers outward. He sent them to rescue others, not just to enjoy a private blessing. A faith that only looks inward isn't the faith of Jesus. Memorizing Scripture is part of being "ready to give a defense" (). You can't share what you don't carry.
For Dad · Go Deeper
Memory work is not just reciting words. It is loading your soul with ammunition for the day temptation, doubt, or discouragement comes knocking. When Jesus Himself was tempted, He answered every attack with "It is written" (). Those words were already stored in His heart. As you lead the family in this verse, you are teaching your children a lifelong reflex. When the heart is troubled, reach for the Word. Make it warm and playful, never a drill. A father who delights in Scripture raises children who start to suspect it might actually be delightful.
Draws on: Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.
Let's Pray Together
"Lord Jesus, write these words deep in our hearts, so we never lose them. Thank You that You are patiently making us into who You want us to be. Help us follow You today. In Jesus' name, amen."
Follow first. Jesus takes care of the becoming.