5 Day Devotional
Day 1: From Fishing Poles to Fishing Nets
Devotional
When Jesus approached those first disciples by the Sea of Galilee, He wasn't just offering them a new religion—He was inviting them into a completely new way of life. These weren't desperate men looking for an escape; they were successful businessmen with thriving fishing operations. Yet when Jesus called, they left everything behind.
What made them respond so decisively? They recognized something in Jesus worth abandoning everything for. His invitation wasn't to casual belief but to a transformative apprenticeship: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
Many of us practice what we might call "fishing pole faith"—we sit quietly on the shore of our Christian lives, waiting for someone to swim by and bite. We keep our faith private, hoping someone might notice and ask. But Jesus called His disciples to cast nets, not dangle lines. He invited them into an active, intentional approach to sharing their faith.
The beautiful truth is that Jesus extends this same invitation to us today. He's calling us to move beyond passive belief to active witness. This doesn't require theological expertise or a perfect life—just a willingness to share what Jesus has done for us. When we keep our faith private, we're essentially "ghosting" our communities, disappearing when they need us most.
Bible Verse
"As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will send you out to fish for people.' At once they left their nets and followed him." - Matthew 4:18-20
Reflection Question
In what ways might you be practicing a "fishing pole faith" rather than actively casting nets in your relationships with non-believers?
Quote
Jesus is absolutely calling every single follower to physically, in a real way, to leave their cultural priorities behind and trade in your fishing pole faith for a network lifestyle.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for calling me just as you called those first disciples. Forgive me for the times I've kept my faith private when you've called me to share it boldly. Help me to leave behind my comfort and follow you into the mission of fishing for people. Give me courage to cast nets rather than merely dangle lines. Amen.
Day 2: The Power of Imperfect Witness
Devotional
One of the most common reasons we hesitate to share our faith is feeling unqualified. We look at our mistakes, our struggles, our doubts, and we think, "Who am I to tell others about Jesus?"
But what if our imperfections are actually part of our qualification? David, after his terrible failures with Bathsheba, didn't disqualify himself from ministry. Instead, he prayed for a clean heart and a renewed spirit so he could continue teaching others about God's ways.
Our struggles and failures don't disqualify us—they give our testimonies weight. The person fighting addiction doesn't need to hear from someone who's never faced temptation; they need to hear from someone who understands their battle and has found hope in Jesus.
When we hide our faith because we feel like frauds, we're actually missing the point of the gospel. Jesus didn't come for the perfect; He came for the broken. And it's precisely in our brokenness that His power is made perfect.
You don't need a theological degree or a spotless past to be an effective witness. You simply need to be honest about what Jesus has done in your life—how He's met you in your struggles and is continuing to transform you day by day.
Bible Verse
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." - Psalms 51:10-12
Reflection Question
What part of your story—even the difficult chapters—might God want to use to help someone else find hope in Jesus?
Quote
Maybe you feel like a fraud. Maybe you feel like an imposter. But see, that's when you start to look and go. Maybe that's the reason why you ghosted God. Maybe that's the reason why you're not spending time with him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you that you use imperfect people to accomplish your perfect purposes. I confess my feelings of inadequacy and ask you to renew my heart and spirit. Help me to see that my struggles don't disqualify me but actually equip me to reach others who are hurting. Give me courage to share my story—all of it—for your glory. Amen.
Day 3: Witnesses, Not Experts
Devotional
When Jesus prepared His disciples for their mission, He didn't send them to seminary first. He simply told them, "You will be my witnesses." Not theologians, not professional preachers—witnesses.
A witness simply shares what they've seen, heard, and experienced. They don't need special qualifications beyond having been present for the events they describe. This is exactly what Jesus calls us to do—to share what we've personally experienced of His power and love.
Many of us hesitate to share our faith because we worry we won't have all the answers. What if someone asks a difficult theological question? What if they raise objections we can't address? These fears keep us silent when we should be speaking.
But Jesus never expected His followers to be experts. He simply called them to testify to what they had witnessed. The same is true for us today. We don't need to have all the answers—we just need to share our story of what Jesus has done in our lives.
When we understand this, evangelism becomes much less intimidating. We're not responsible for convincing anyone or winning theological debates. We're simply called to share our experience and trust the Holy Spirit to do the convincing work in others' hearts.
Bible Verse
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." - Acts 1:8
Reflection Question
What specific experience with Jesus could you share with someone this week—not as an expert, but simply as a witness to what He's done in your life?
Quote
You don't need a theological degree. You don't need the title of pastor. And some of you really need to hear this last one. You don't need to be perfect. All you need to do is to be a witness of God's power at work in you.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank you for the promise of your power in my life. I don't need to rely on my own eloquence or knowledge—I simply need to witness to what I've experienced. Give me opportunities this week to share my story, and give me the words to speak when those moments come. Help me to be faithful in my witness, trusting you with the results. Amen.
Day 4: Beyond Church Walls
Devotional
There's a subtle but significant shift that happens in our thinking when we understand true evangelism. We stop trying to merely bring people to church and start focusing on bringing them to Jesus.
Church attendance is valuable, but it's not the ultimate goal. Jesus didn't commission His disciples to fill buildings; He commissioned them to make disciples. This means our focus shouldn't be on getting someone to attend a Sunday service but on helping them develop a personal relationship with Christ.
When we fixate on church attendance as the goal, we can unintentionally position ourselves or our pastors as the gatekeepers to Jesus. But the truth is, we're not the conduits to Christ—we're simply people who have encountered Him and want others to experience the same relationship.
This shift in thinking changes how we approach evangelism. Instead of saying, "You should come to my church," we begin asking, "Do you know what Jesus has done in my life?" We move from inviting people to an event to inviting them into a relationship.
Jesus gave His disciples authority and promised His presence as they went to make disciples. He offers us the same today. We don't go alone—He goes with us, empowering us to introduce others not just to our church, but to Himself.
Bible Verse
"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'" - Matthew 28:18-20
Reflection Question
How might your approach to sharing your faith change if you focused less on bringing people to church and more on introducing them to a relationship with Jesus?
Quote
Stop trying to bring people just to church. See, that's not the thing that we want to do. You're not trying to bring people just to church. You're trying to bring them into a relationship with Jesus.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the privilege of introducing others to you. Forgive me for times when I've made church attendance the goal rather than relationship with you. Help me to see the people in my life through your eyes and to focus on connecting them with you, not just with a building or an event. Remind me that you are always with me as I go. Amen.
Day 5: Urgency in Our Witness
Devotional
The first disciples witnessed something extraordinary after Jesus' resurrection and final instructions. As they watched, Jesus was taken up into heaven, and angels appeared with a profound message: "This same Jesus...will come back in the same way you have seen him go."
This promise of Christ's return should infuse our witness with urgency. When we truly believe Jesus is coming back, it transforms how we view our responsibility to share the gospel. It's not just a nice option for the spiritually inclined—it's a matter of eternal significance.
When we remain silent about our faith, we're communicating something devastating to those around us. Our silence says we don't care enough about their eternal destiny to speak up. As harsh as it sounds, when we don't share our faith, we're essentially telling people, "Go to hell."
This realization should awaken us from complacency. The people in our lives—our neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family—are hungry for hope and starving for peace. They need what we've found in Jesus, and time is limited.
Today is a day of awakening. It's time to prepare our communities for Christ's return by intentionally sharing the hope we've found. Not out of fear or obligation, but out of love for those God has placed in our lives and the recognition that Jesus could return at any moment.
Bible Verse
"They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.'" - Acts 1:10-11
Reflection Question
If you truly believed Jesus might return tomorrow, how would it change your willingness to share your faith with specific people in your life today?
Quote
Jesus is coming back. And with that mindset, who do you need to be praying for? Who do you need to be reaching? Who do you need to be? Who do you need to be going out for? Knowing that Jesus is coming back.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, the thought of your return fills me with both joy and sobriety. I confess that I often live as though I have endless time to share your good news. Forgive my complacency. Fill me with a sense of urgency that comes from love, not fear. Help me to see the people in my life through your eyes and to recognize their spiritual hunger. Give me boldness to speak when opportunities arise, knowing that you could return at any moment. Amen.