What An Invitation to Breakfast Taught Me About Discipleship

​The past 8 weeks, I’ve gone through Jennie Allen’s study, Proven, with a group of women from my church. I always look forward to Women’s Bible Study. Not only do I enjoy getting to meet new women and hearing their stories, but God always uses these studies to reveal truth to me.   
 
During the last week of our study, we read John 21. Simon Peter and the other disciples were out fishing all night and caught nothing. Their nets were empty.
 
I imagine their frustration, disappointment, exhaustion, and hunger. Then, a voice from the shore says, “Friends, haven’t you any fish? … Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” (John 21:5-6a)
 
Some was an understatement, as they caught 153 LARGE fish. Their nets were no longer empty but filled. They had an abundance. 
 
This man on the shore turned out to be Jesus, and not only did He fill their nets, but He invited them to join Him for breakfast. I’ve heard this story many times before, but this last detail I previously overlooked. Now, I can’t help but focus on it. 

Jesus, the son of God, the man who performed miraculous healings and conquered death, invited his friends to join him for breakfast.
 
A simple invitation. A simple meal. Simply to spend time with those He loved.
 
I think Jesus gives us this same invitation. Not necessarily for us to eat fish with Him for breakfast, but to simply join Him. To spend time with Him.
 
In the great commission in Matthew 28:19, Jesus calls us to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. “
 
Before we can make disciples, we must be disciples.
 
And in order to be disciples, we must be with Jesus.
 
This sounds simple, but maybe you’re like me and, if you’re honest, you’ve spent more time being busy FOR Jesus than being WITH Jesus. 
 
That is something I’ve realized while reading Jennie Allen’s book, Nothing to Prove, and going through her Proven study.
 
Spending time serving others is important, but we also need to spend time with the One who taught us how to serve. 
                                                                                                 
These past few weeks, I have been more intentional about spending time with Jesus. What has that looked like in my life?
 
Sometimes being with Jesus means putting down my Kindle and picking up my Bible.
 
Sometimes being with Jesus means turning off my TV and turning on worship music.
 
Sometimes being with Jesus means embracing the silence so I can hear His whisper.
 
Sometimes being with Jesus means talking to Him before I text a friend.     
 
Sometimes being with Jesus means choosing to be in community instead of isolating myself.
 
I’m so thankful for the community of women that God has surrounded me with. Through them, He has revealed truth, and I have felt encouraged, supported, and loved.
 
That’s how I also feel when I spend time with Jesus.
 
In order to be a disciple, we must know the One we’re following.
 
Jesus desires to lead us. Will you accept His invitation? 

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​If you’re looking for a great resource to help you understand the Bible, I highly recommend checking out www.thebibleproject.com . They have a plan that will help you read through the Bible in a year, but they have also created short, animated videos to go along with each day’s reading.  
 
You can also download the Read Scripture App. Both of these resources are FREE!