What Disciples Do (From the Boat to Real Life)
Most of us are familiar with the word disciple.
We know Jesus had 12 of them. We know the Great Commission says to “make disciples.” But if someone stopped you in the hallway at church and asked:
“Okay, but what does a disciple actually do?”
…how would you answer?
Luke 5:1–11 gives us a front-row seat to the moment Jesus calls His first disciples. It’s not just a nice origin story—it’s a template for your life and mine.
Let’s look at what disciples do.
1. Disciples Know: Who, Why, and How
Before Peter, James, and John could follow Jesus, they had to know Him—and not just “know about” Him.
They know who they follow
When Jesus steps into Peter’s boat, teaches the crowd, and then tells Peter to let down the nets again, Peter replies:
“Master, we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll let down the nets.” (Luke 5:5)
“Master” isn’t a casual title. It means commander, leader, boss. Peter is recognizing who Jesus is—someone with real authority.
A disciple isn’t just a fan of Jesus. A disciple recognizes Jesus as Lord.
They know why they follow
After the miracle catch, Peter falls at Jesus’ knees and says:
“Go away from me, because I’m a sinful man, Lord.” (Luke 5:8)
Peter suddenly sees it clearly:
- I have a big problem – I’m sinful.
- Jesus has the big answer – He’s holy, powerful, and clearly more than just a teacher.
That’s still the “why” behind being a disciple today:
My way isn’t working. His way is better.
We don’t follow Jesus because He fits neatly into our plans. We follow Him because He is the way, the truth, and the life.
They know how they follow
Notice the simple pattern:
- Jesus teaches from the boat.
- Peter listens.
- Jesus commands (“Put out into the deep…”).
- Peter obeys (“…if you say so…”).
- God moves (the nets overflow).
That’s discipleship in a sentence:
Hear Jesus. Trust Jesus. Obey Jesus. Repeat.
We don’t just listen to fill our heads. We listen to shape our lives.
James 1:22 puts it plainly:
“Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
If we only ever hear and never obey, we start to confuse information with transformation.
This Week:
- Ask: “Do I actually know Jesus—or just know about Him?”
- Before you read Scripture or sit in church, pray: “Lord, I don’t just want information today. Show me one thing to obey.”
- Write down one clear step of obedience from what you’ve heard—and do it within 24 hours.
2. Disciples Show: Devotion and Fruit
Once you know who you’re following, it will start to show.
They show devotion
Luke 5 ends with this sentence:
“Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed him.” (Luke 5:11)
They didn’t just nod along and say “great sermon.”
They walked away from their boats, nets, and business—everything that had defined their lives up to that point.
That’s devotion.
Devotion doesn’t always mean quitting your job or moving across the world. But it does mean:
- Jesus isn’t just included in your life.
- Jesus reorders your life.
John says it like this:
“For this is what love for God is: to keep His commands. And His commands are not a burden.” (1 John 5:3)
Obedience may be hard. It may be costly. But for a disciple, it’s not a miserable burden—it’s a joyful surrender to Someone better.
They show fruit
Before Jesus speaks, Peter’s nets are empty.
After Jesus speaks and Peter obeys, the boats are sinking with fish.
That’s not just a fishing story—it’s a picture:
When we live Jesus’ way, God’s wisdom starts to reshape all of life.
Jesus cares about your soul first—but He also cares about how you:
- Handle your money
- Treat your spouse
- Raise your kids
- Work your job
- Use your time
When you apply His truth to those areas, things often begin to change:
- Maybe not “health, wealth, and prosperity”
- But clarity, purpose, and often very real, practical blessing
His way actually works.
This Week:
- Ask: “Where is Jesus asking me for a ‘Because You say so…’ step of obedience?”
- Forgiving someone?
- Confessing a hidden sin?
- Getting serious about Scripture or community?
- Pick one area of life—finances, marriage, parenting, habits—and honestly ask: “Am I doing this my way, or Jesus’ way?”
- Take one concrete step to align that area with God’s Word (budgeting, apologizing, setting boundaries, starting prayer as a couple, etc.).
3. Disciples Go: From Nets to People
After the miracle, Jesus tells Peter:
“Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people.” (Luke 5:10)
In other words:
“You won’t just fish for a living—you’ll live to help people find Me.”
That’s the heart of the Great Commission:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19)
We’re not called to make decisions only—we’re called to make disciples.
And here’s the key line from the sermon:
Only a disciple can make a disciple.
If we’re not actually following Jesus ourselves, we will always struggle to help others follow Him.
This Week:
- Pray by name for 1–3 people in your life who are far from Jesus or spiritually stuck.
- Look for one simple way to love, serve, or encourage them—with intentionality.
- Be ready to share, in a sentence or two, why you follow Jesus (your “why I follow” story, like Peter realizing he’s a sinful man and Jesus is the answer).
A Simple Question to End With
Not:
“Do you go to church?”
“Have you been baptized?”
“Did you pray a prayer once?”
But:
Does your life look like someone who knows Jesus, shows Jesus, and goes with Jesus?
- Know – You recognize Him as Lord, not just an idea.
- Show – Your obedience and priorities reveal devotion.
- Go – You’re participating in His mission, not just watching it.
If you realize today, “I don’t actually know Him yet,” the invitation is wide open:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
You can turn to Him today—repent of your sin, trust in His cross and resurrection, and begin the lifelong journey of being His disciple.
And if you do know Him:
This week isn’t just another week.
It’s another chance to live like a real disciple of Jesus.