This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Matthew 4:18-22, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
One day, Jesus was walking by a big lake called the Sea of Galilee. While he was walking, he saw two brothers named Simon (also called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing with a big net in the sea.
Jesus said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will teach you how to catch people instead of fish!” Simon and Andrew liked Jesus and wanted to learn from him, so they left their fishing net and followed him.
Then, Jesus kept walking and he saw two more brothers, James and John, in a boat with their dad, fixing their fishing net. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me!” James and John loved Jesus too, so they left their boat and their dad and followed Jesus too.
From that day on, Simon, Andrew, James, and John became Jesus’ close friends and helpers. They traveled everywhere with him, learned from him, and helped him spread God’s love to everyone they met.
Biblical Lessons
- Jesus calls us to follow him and be his friends, just like he did with Simon, Andrew, James, and John.
- When Jesus calls us, we should listen and obey, just like the brothers did when they left their fishing nets and boat to follow Jesus.
Related Stories
Must-Read Christian Books
The Pursuit of God
A heartfelt call to pursue God Himself above all else, with a strong emphasis on holiness and devotion.
View on Amazon
Holiness
A rich, pastoral treatment of sin, sanctification, and the fight for holiness in the Christian life, deeply rooted in Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Holiness of God
Sproul unfolds the blazing holiness of God and why a right fear of the Lord is vital to true worship.
View on Amazon
The Enemy Within
A modern, accessible summary of John Owen's teaching on indwelling sin and the believer's battle.
View on Amazon
Don't Waste Your Life
A passionate plea to live for Christ's glory rather than trivial pursuits.
View on Amazon
Let the Nations Be Glad!
Missions-focused theology showing that worship is the goal of evangelism to the nations.
View on Amazon
God's Big Picture
Traces the storyline of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation in a clear, Christ-centered way.
View on Amazon
Morning and Evening
Devotional readings for each day that point believers to Christ and His promises.
View on Amazon
The Gospel According to Jesus
Defends a biblical understanding of faith and repentance against easy-believism.
View on Amazon
The Bondage of the Will
Luther's classic defense of the Bible's teaching on human sin and God's sovereign grace.
View on Amazon
The Heidelberg Catechism
A beloved Reformation catechism that teaches comfort in Christ through a Q&A format.
View on Amazon
Preaching and Preachers
Classic lectures on the nature and power of biblical preaching.
View on Amazon
Total Truth
Equips believers to see all of life through a biblical worldview and challenge secular thinking.
View on Amazon
The Christian Life
A clear, doctrinally rich overview of salvation and Christian living.
View on Amazon
The Gospel and Personal Evangelism
Encourages and equips Christians to share the gospel faithfully and simply.
View on Amazon
The Hiding Place
The story of Corrie ten Boom's faith and forgiveness in the midst of Nazi persecution.
View on Amazon
The Peacemaker
Biblical principles for resolving conflict in a way that honors Christ and reconciles people.
View on Amazon