Simon's Net-breaking, Boat-sinking Catch of Fish

A Free Bible Story From Matney Woodard

Simon's Net-breaking, Boat-sinking Catch of Fish

A free online Bible story based on Simon's abundant catch of fish found in Luke in your Bible. Simon had fished all night with no success. He needed some fish. Jesus needed a place to preach. When Simon let Jesus use his boat, it opened the door for Jesus to meet his need with a net-breaking, boat-sinking load of fish.

Simon’s Net-breaking, Boat-sinking Catch of Fish

By Harrison Woodard

“Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure – pressed down, shaken together, and running over – will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” -- Luke 6:38 HCSB

Based on Luke 5:1-11

One day Jesus was teaching near the Sea of Galilee. The crowd kept growing until it was too large to see and hear him. Nearby were some fishermen who were cleaning their nets.

“Let me use your boat, so that the people can hear me,” asked Jesus.

Simon, the owner of the boat, took Jesus out from shore and listened to the message.

After Jesus finished teaching, he instructed Simon to go fishing again.

“Head out into the deep and let down your nets. You will fill your boat with fish,” said Jesus.

“Master, we fished all night and caught nothing. But based on your word, I will do it again,” said Simon.

Simon rowed his boat out into the deep water. In the bright sunlight and clear water of the Galilee, fish could easily see any net and quickly swim away. But when Simon obeyed Jesus and threw his net into the water, the fish swarmed into it. As Simon started lifting the net, it began to tear under the weight of so many fish.

Simon started waving and shouting to his partners, James and John to come help. They quickly rowed out to where Simon was and filled both boats with fish until they were nearly sinking.

“Please leave me Master. I am a sinner,” said Simon falling on his knees in awe of what just happened.

His partners were also amazed at the miracle catch. Nobody had ever caught so many fish, especially in the daytime.

Jesus lifted Simon to his feet, “Don’t be afraid. I will teach you to catch men.”

After both boats reached the shore, all three men immediately left their fishing business and followed Jesus.

Some Things To Think About

This story is an excellent example of God’s Law of seedtime and harvest. At Jesus’ request, Simon planted a seed (gift) by letting Jesus use his boat. Jesus took that seed and turned it into an abundant harvest of fish. In the Word, it says that when you give, you receive back abundance (Luke 6:38). The Word also says that as long as the earth remains, seedtime and harvest shall not cease (Genesis 8:22). That’s good news! If you have a need, ask God to reveal what you need to give. He will show you where and what seed to plant that will meet every need.

Jesus needed a place to stand and preach. Simon needed to catch fish to earn a living. Jesus knew what Simon needed both professionally and spiritually because God knows what you need even before you ask (Matthew 6:8). But He needs your faith to bring all His promises true in your life. Simon headed out into the deep knowing that fish never bite in the daytime. But at the word of Jesus, he threw out his net. And his faith was rewarded with an abundant net-breaking catch of fish! Faith works in the heart (spirit) and will produce God’s promises in ways that are above and beyond anything you could ever imagine. Start studying the Word today and you will see God’s miracles in your life!

The Kingdom of God is God’s way of doing things. When you start living the way God intended, there is nothing impossible. God’s supernatural, earth-creating power is available to you. Making a few fish swim into a net on a clear day is nothing for the Creator of the universe. But God needs you to believe that He is able. If you believe, all things are possible (Matthew 17:20, 19:26; Mark 9:23, 10:27; Luke 1:37)!

Faith Building Exercise

Faith comes by continually hearing God's Word. When you confess (speak) God's Word out loud you are planting God's incorruptible seed in your heart (spirit). In time, God's Word will take root in your spirit (heart) and produce a plentiful harvest of all God's blessings and promises in your life.

Say these out loud every day until you believe them in your spirit. They will build your faith. Look up these verses and read them as they appear in your Bible. You can always trust God’s Word because He cannot lie.

The Lord blesses what I sow (give). I harvest (receive) a hundred times what I plant in the same year. The Lord blesses me with prosperity.

(Genesis 26:12)

I obey the Lord and spend my days in prosperity and happiness.

(Job 36:11)

I give to the poor. It is a loan to the Lord and He will reward me.

(Proverbs 19:17)

I give my tithe and God opens the floodgates of heaven and pours out so much blessing that I do not have room for it all.

(Malachi 3:10)

I have faith like a seed and nothing is impossible when I plant it.

(Matthew 17:20)

I give and God gives me even more.

(Luke 6:38)

God does exceedingly abundantly above all that I ask or think.

(Ephesians 3:20)

I am even more blessed when I give than when I receive.

(Acts 20:35)

I am a cheerful giver and God loves me. I give generously and receive generously back. God gives me every blessing in abundance. In every circumstance, I have whatever I need in abundance to share with others.

(2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

God gives me seed for sowing and multiplies and increases my harvest. God enriches me in all things so that my generosity produces joyful praise to God.

(2 Corinthians 9:10-11)

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This story is based on Simon's abundant catch of fish found in Luke in your Bible. Simon had fished all night with no success. He needed some fish. Jesus needed a place to preach. When Simon let Jesus use his boat, it opened the door for Jesus to meet his need with a net-breaking, boat-sinking load of fish.

Keywords: Jesus, Simon Peter, large catch of fish, Child Bible story, child story online, Christian child story, kid Bible story, Sunday school lesson, Free child Bible story, Bible lesson, faith story web site