neuroBIBLISTICS

St. Basil Serbian Orthodox Church, Lake Forest, IL

Date:
October 16, 2022

Church School Class

High School students read Luke 5:1-11, the story of the miraculous catch on the sea of Galilee. Future apostle, Simon Peter was fishing all night, but he did not catch anything. Upon returning to the shore, Christ asked him to try again and throw the nets. After listening to Christ’s command, the nets were overflown with fish and the boat started to sink. Simon was overwhelmed and in fear asked Christ to go, but Christ gave the most important advice to Peter and us: “Do not fear, from now on, you will be catching men.” Here, for the word “catch” Luke uses a different word with is better translated as “to catch alive”. This was especially important for students who commented that Luke is talking about the “spearing of someone’s life”.

Insights from the class were that even though we feel tired of working “all night” we have to be persistent and never give up, but to “throw the nets” again, which is acting upon Christ’s commandments. Above all, when listening to Christ and doing our part to partake in the possible miracle that would unfold, we open ourselves to the possibility to be speared, and to the advantages to spare someone’s life as well. Fishermen became apostles and save many lives through their persistence in ministry. High School class concluded that Bible is not a mere story, but that it is our life and that truths of the Gospel messages are to be lived out.