Rotation.org Writing Team
Jesus Calls the Disciples (and You)
Computer Workshop
Summary of Lesson Activity
Students will vote and discuss their own "discipleship status," view Lesson #16 in the Life of Christ and explore that lesson’s question, “are you just interested in Jesus or are you following him?” using the computer’s ability to speak out loud (either by Window's built in utility or using Let's Talk software.
Let's Talk is now free to the supporting members of Rotation.org! Get it here.
Scripture
Passage: Luke 5:1-11
Key/Memory Verse: “Then Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people." 11 When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.” (NRSV)
Note: This story is also found in Matthew 5 and Mark 1. Luke adds the memory of Jesus first getting into the boat with Simon Peter, James and John, and telling them to let down their nets one more time.
Lesson Objectives
See the Bible Background for this set's complete list of objectives.
Materials and Advanced Preparation List
- Read Bible Background, scripture and lesson.
- Load and preview copies of both Life of Christ and Let’s Talk software or your computer’s text-to-speech utility.
- Write out on cards the three questions used with the Life of Christ (seen below).
- Write on 8 1/2 x 11 papers YES and NO, painters tape (to attach them wall.)
Lesson Plan
Open
Welcome the students and introduce today’s lesson. Put them at ease by letting them know they’ll be getting on the computers in a few minutes to use Life of Christ and Let’s Talk.
Voting “Warm Up” Questions
Post the word YES on one wall, and NO on the other. Instruct students to move to the answer that matches their response to the following questions.
Teacher reads a question and has students go stand next to the answer that best matches theirs. The questions are in a specific order and designed to illustrate the difference between our good intentions/beliefs, and our actual practices (disciples are those who do more than say, they actually follow). The assumption here is that students will ‘say’ one thing, but that their practices won’t be as strong.) Notice that many of the questions have a follow-up question. After each vote, poll one or two of the voters to explain their vote. Each question/vote is an opportunity to introduce the idea of “following” Christ, and what that means.
The Voting Questions:
- I am a Christian.
- I believe a Christian should worship God every Sunday. How about every day?
- I consider myself to be a good disciple of Jesus Christ, someone who follows his example.
I pray at least —once a month, —at least once a week,—almost every day, —more than once a day. - I read my Bible—more than once a year, —more than once a month, —more than once a week.
- I think Jesus wants us to share our faith in him with others.
- I have invited a friend to come to my church who doesn’t have a church of their own —at least once in my life, —at least once in the past year.
- If Jesus walked in here right now and said, “leave your family, friends and school and come with me to teach and serve others, I would do it —without hesitating, —only if I had my parent’s permission.
Bible Study using Life of Christ software
Tell your students that today they are going to learn about several fishermen who left their boats and nets behind to follow Jesus. (The Luke 5 scripture is presented in the software.)
Turn on Life of Christ software and navigate to Lesson #16: Four Fisherman (Luke 5:1-11). When they’re done viewing the narrated presentation, let them take the quiz.
Alternative: Use the section from the Son of God movie where Jesus calls Peter.
When they get all six quiz questions right, hand them a piece of paper with the following questions. Ask them to discuss and write down their answers which they will present to the class when everyone is done. Younger children or smaller groups can answer these questions together.
Question 1:
What is the difference between believing Jesus was only a good teacher, and believing he is also your Lord and Savior? (For Younger: What is the difference between a teacher and a Savior?)
Question 2:
What was it about Jesus that made these men leave everything behind and to be with Jesus?
Question 3:
What activities and behaviors does Jesus ask us to “give up” in order to be his disciples?
Notes: Question 1 is complicated but important. Jesus wants us to know who he really is, and some people treat him like he was just a great teacher or philosopher. Question 2 gets at the idea that something other than "a nice invitation" moved these men. Jesus' presence was powerful then, and is today. Question 3 looks at what Peter, James and John gave up. While we don't expect our kids to leave home, there are certain behaviors and attitudes they are called to "give up" if they want to follow Jesus.
Reflection (Using Let's Talk software)
This is a Q & A technique where the teacher asks the class, and the kids respond by making the computer speak aloud their answer through an onscreen character they create. From the teacher's point of view, it's simply another opportunity to dig in deeper with follow-up. The phrase "Stuff Peter/Jesus Didn't Say" is just a fun way to put the question.
Instructions to the students: Return to the computers and turn on the Let’s Talk software (see alternatives below under Options & Adaptations). Enter the “Talk Now” module and create a character and give him or her a name. As soon as you are ready, I am going to give you two minutes to come up with an answer for the first question. Type your answer into the Talk Now screen and be ready to play it back for the class to hear when I cue you.
Talk Now Question 1. “Stuff Peter Didn’t Say”
Come up with a reasonable excuse that Peter could have given Jesus to refuse Jesus’ call to be his disciple. End your excuse with the line, “Of course, Peter never said this.”
Follow-up: After each playback, ask the students, “What would Jesus say to that excuse?”
Talk Now Question 2: “Stuff Jesus Didn’t Say”
Come up with a reasonable requirement some people think is needed in order to be a follower of Jesus. End your requirement with the sentence, “Of course, Jesus never said this.”
Follow-up: After each playback, ask the students, “Why isn’t that a requirement of being a disciple?” And then, “Are there any requirements for being a disciple of Jesus?” (This is an interesting question. A person could be a weak disciple and yet still try hard to be one. We know Jesus would love them just the same. The word “disciple” means “learner.” So if you are not trying to learn from Jesus, you might be fooling yourself that you are his disciple.)
Tips: The first time you ask these challenging question students will likely be perplexed, so repeat, rephrase, and give examples. Write down on the board some of the things they come up with so that you can use them in your closing.
BTW: The phrase "Stuff Jesus Didn't Say" comes from an online "meme" ministry by the same name. By putting the wrong words into Jesus' mouth it highlights some of the wrong thinking about the nature of discipleship that some people believe in.
Closing Vote:
Vote 1:
On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being “Super Disciple” and 1 being “Not a Disciple,” go stand on our imaginary line to mark where you rate yourself as a disciple of Jesus. (Ask a few of them why they rated themselves where they are standing, and what they think it will take to “move up” in their disciple rating.)
Vote 2: Now change their thinking…
Tell them that the scale of “discipleship” Jesus is most interested in is this: are they trying, are they learning, or do they just don’t care. Tell them “10” is now “I’m trying my best” and “1” is “I’m barely trying.”
Conclude with this observation:
Jesus knew Peter would betray him and others would let him down. Jesus knows we won’t be perfect disciples, but he loves us, and wants us to keep LEARNING what it means to follow him.
Finish with everyone at the “10” end of the line and something like this prayer:
Jesus we hear your call to follow you. Forgive us when we fail. And keep teaching us how and help us to be your disciples. Amen.
Options and Adaptations
An alternative to “Let’s Talk” software is to use Kid Pix 4 or the newer "3D" version software’s built in ability to speak back whatever the kids type on the screen. In lieu of that use any computer's built-in "text-to-speech" utility.
End of Class Option: Work on memory verse: “Follow me and I will make you fishers of people,” using Cal and Marty’s Scripture Memory Game software (Sunday Software) which is also free to our supporting members! 
Younger children like to vote, but need the questions expressed a little more simply. It also helps to have teaching assistants moving/voting with the children and talking about where they are going to stand and why.
Written by Neil MacQueen for the Rotation.org Writing Team
