Where is God inviting me in 2024?

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. LUKE 5:1-11 NIV

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” LUKE 5:4 NIV

To follow Jesus is to move out into deep water

Putting out into the deep water is about submitting yourself to His presence and work in your life

Where is God inviting me to move out into deep water?

Moving out into the deep is always frightening

What are the fears that you are carrying today that are keeping you from moving out into deep water?

Moving out into the deep is always more wonderful than I can imagine

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. EPHESIANS 1:3 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a few moments to slow down, releasing any burdens you might be carrying right now. Invite God into this time, asking Him to help you see yourself and Him more clearly. As you reflect on this past year, where have you seen God at work in your life? Ask Him to remind you of any areas that you might have forgotten about. Next, as you consider the upcoming year, ask God to show you any areas in your heart and life you are still holding on to. What is God inviting you to let go of so that you can experience Him more completely? Sit with this question this week, asking God to bring to the surface anything that He wants you to surrender so that you can live the life He wants for you this coming year. Close your time by thanking God for caring enough about you to be interested in your growth and invite God to lead you, grow you, challenge you, and bless you this coming year.

Discussion Questions

Leader’s Note: Choose a couple of the following questions from each section that best fit your group. Or, have everyone read the questions, choosing which one(s) from each section that they feel led to respond to.

GET STARTED: What were some of the highlights of your past year?

GET STARTED: What were some of your disappointments from this past year?

GET STARTED: What hopes do you have for this new year?

KEEP GOING: What are your personal practices/rhythms of reflection?

KEEP GOING: What deep waters do you feel Jesus might be inviting you into this coming year?

KEEP GOING: “Staying on the shore” is way more comfortable than stepping out into the waters. In what parts of your life have you become too comfortable in which God might want to challenge?

KEEP GOING: Read John 10:10. What are the fears in your life that restrict you from living out of the fullness God has for you?

LIVE IT OUT: In what ways can you take steps this year to step out of your comfort zone and into the deep waters of God’s presence?

LIVE IT OUT: What rhythms can you put into place this year to be more aware of God’s presence in your life?