Context: Have you ever wondered why Peter and Andrew left everything so easily to follow Jesus?

Every Hebrew boy longed to be a rabbi, it was the highest calling, the coolest thing to do – it’s kind of like how in Australia, so many boys grow up wanting to play footy. But how many actually get to play for the AFL one day? – such a small percent! Every Hebrew boy wanted to be a rabbi, but at some point, 99% of them were told: ‘I’m sorry – you just don’t have what it takes to be in ministry’. Only the best, of the best made it, and here’s the process of how they could become a rabbi, and why so many didn’t make it, and ended up working in the family business – just like what Peter & Andrew  were up to when Jesus walked by.
First, you had to memorise Leviticus by the age of six years old, and not every home had scripture; so they would learn scripture though what others shared – so you had to memorise Leviticus based on your father’s memorisation of Leviticus, and him quoting it to you.
If you memorised Leviticus then you graduated; but when you were 6, you graduated to what was called the Beit Sefer, which is Hebrew for ‘The School of The Book’. Beit Sefer lasted from 6-12 years old, and in those years, you would have to memorise the whole Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy – word for word, the whole thing.  When they were 12 years old, they graduated from the Beit Sefer by having a Torah exam, with the teachers of the law that day. They weren’t graded on whether they knew the answers; but on whether they asked the right questions.
It says in Luke, that when Jesus was 12 years old, He was amazing the teachers of the law with His questions.
Hebrew scholars were not noted for their answers – they were noted for their ability to keep the discussion about God going longer. So, if they amazed the teachers of the law with their questions, they graduated into what was called the Beit Talmud, which means ‘The School of Disciples’. Talmud is the word for disciple; it’s like discipleship school.

If you didn’t amaze the teachers of the law with your questions, you were told ‘I’m sorry – you’re unfit to be a rabbi; now go back and earn a living at your family trade’.

But the best, of the best – the ones that were amazing teachers of the law with their questions, they graduated to the Beit Talmud.
The Beit Talmud was 18 years long, from ages of 12- 30, in five stages. That is why scripture says Jesus disappeared from 12 to 30. He was in the Beit Talmud. The final stage to become a rabbi.

So, it was through this very long & demanding process that every Hebrew boy would dream of becoming a rabbi, but only 1% would make it to the end – like Jesus did. So, the community would have known this about Jesus, and it makes complete sense that Peter, Andrew and all the disciples dropped everything to become disciples of Jesus – he was their second chance at every little Hebrew boy’s dream! 

• We read earlier that in Jesus’ day; disciples learnt how to ask the right questions to keep a conversation about God going. What are ways you can create opportunity to open a discussion about Jesus and what he’s done in your life? Or maybe its creating opportunity to invite others to church. Our Easter Production is coming up, let’s be thinking about who we can invite along!
• It can be easy to default to ‘that’s not really my gift’ or ‘I’m too nervous of what I might say or not say, or what they will think etc.’ Is it easy for you to share Gods love with people? Share a time you have shared with someone and how that went.
• What are ways you feel prompted to share? Sometimes it can be an inner urge, or an opportunity can come from being in conversation with someone.  Are you confident every time or do you have to make a choice to step out? If so, how do you do this? 

• How does ‘serving others’ look like for you, & what are practical things you intentionally do to ‘serve’? 
• How do you set serving at the forefront of your focus rather than an afterthought? If it is an afterthought, what needs to change to have it as a focus?  Maybe it’s making time to serve, being aware of the need or asking God for the desire to serve and love others.
• A practical exercise you can do in your own time is write down the area of influence you have, or an area you feel called to and desire to have greater impact.  Take a moment to pray and ask God to give you ideas, motivation, boldness to serve in those areas and write them down. Then, be intentional about not letting busyness, fear, pride, or insecurity keep you from actioning them out! 

• Why not give it a go now and share each other’s testimonies in your group time together!                                                   
• Sharing your story isn’t about accomplishing a task; it’s about loving the person you are talking to – someone God loves and wants to be in a relationship with. Ask God to bring someone to your mind of who you can share your testimony with. Share with your group who comes to mind.
• Pray for each other that God would show you opportunities to share your story during the week, check in with each other at your next group and share what God has been doing through you!