In Luke 5:1-11, Jesus was instructing the multitudes from Peter’s boat: “And when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon,
‘Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch’ ” (v. 4). Jesus had stopped talking, but He had not stopped teaching. Peter heard what Jesus said, but he hadn’t learned until he got into the boat and put out the nets.
This study guide gives you an opportunity to get into the boat and put out the nets. You can do it alone, but we recommend that you do it with other faithful learners. It provides an opportunity for more collective wisdom, and greater learning always takes place in the context of committed relationships. Developing trusting relationships and being devoted to one another in prayer is what makes group study so enriching.
We are thankful for the tremendous work that Lisa Guest, who also developed the study guide for The Bondage Breaker Youth Edition (Harvest House, 1995), has done in putting together this study guide. Another helpful resource is Busting Free! (Gospel Light, 1994), a curriculum for teaching these truths in a Sunday School class or small group. A summary of some of the resources available from Discipleship Counseling Ministries (www.discipleshipcounsel ingministries.org) and Freedom in Christ Ministries (info@ficm.org) is given at the end of this study guide.
It is our prayer that you will fully realize who you are in Christ and learn to live as a child of God. If this study guide helps make that possible, we will be thankful. May the grace and love of our heavenly Father bless you with all of the riches of your inheritance in Christ.
Neil T. Anderson
Dave Park