Jan. 11, 2026
Series: My Own People: 1-11-26
My Own POND
Fishing In My Mission Pond
Matthew 4:18–20 (NLT) 18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.
- Following and __________________ go together!
HUNTING VS. FISHING
Aggressive More gentle
Based on confrontation Based on attraction
“Go out there & shoot them” “Get them to nibble on your bait”
Uses “1 size fits all” bullet Allows you to try all kinds of lures
Take your best shot & it’s over Reeling in a fish requires give & take
Scares off the animal if you miss You get more than one chance
The animal has no choice The fish gets a choice!
Must be a skilled shot Anyone can put bait into the water!
3 KEYS TO SPIRITUAL FISHING
I. Identify your Personal ____________________ Pond.
Acts 1:8 (NIV) You will be my witnesses - in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world.
New Testament Pattern = Our Church’s Pattern “Jerusalem” Simi Valley
“Judea” Ventura County
“Samaria Los Angeles County
(Language/Ethnic groups in America)
“World” Every Country!
C.O.R. - CIRCLE OF RELATIONSHIPS
(Sphere of Influence) (My Fishing Pond)
(Gk. “Oikos ho sos”) “Your Home” and “your Own People”
- God holds me most responsible for people I _______________ have relationships with.
Mark 5:18–20 (NIV) 18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
I ALREADY HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH…
- Family (John 1:40-46)
- Coworkers (Acts 18:1-4)
- ________________ (John 4:39-42)
- ________________ (John 4:4-30)
II. Learn about the kind of _______________ in your Pond.
1 Cor. 9:20-23 (NCV) To the Jews I became like a Jew to win the Jews… to those who are without the law I became like a person who is without the law… to those who are weak I became weak so I could win the weak. I have become all things to all people so I could save some of them in any way possible. I do all this because of the Good News and so I can share in its blessings.
A. What are their interests, _______________ & Hurts?
“Jesus knew what they were thinking...”
(Matt. 9:4, 12:25; Mark 2:8; Luke 5:22, 9:47, 11:17)
Reticular Activating System (“What gets our attention”)
1. Things we VALUE.
2. Things that _______________ us.
3. Things that are UNIQUE & DIFFERENT.
B. What do I have in __________________ with them?
1 Cor. 9:22-23 (LB) Whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him. I do this to get the Gospel to them...
Mark 4:33 (MES) With many stories like these, he presented his message to them, fitting the stories to their experience and maturity.
- Before you can reach them, you must be able to ___________ to them.
Areas of Common Ground: (with unbelievers in your life)
- Common Experiences
- Common __________________
- Common Needs
- Common __________________
COMMON GROUND CIRCUMSTANCES
POSITIVE: MAJOR CRISES:
Adoption Abuse / Rape
Breaking a bad habit Accident
Financial gain Addiction / Jail
Raising kids Abortion / Infertility
Marriage strengthened/restored Bankruptcy
New baby Broken dream
New business Eating disorder
New friends Death / Disease
New home Depression
New marriage Discrimination
New job Divorce
Success Empty nest
Renewed love Financial problems
Restored broken relationship… Surgery
POSSIBLE TESTIMONY THEMES
How Trusting Jesus has How Trusting Jesus
helped me deal with my… has given me…
- Worries / Anxiety Inner Peace
- Guilt/Shame Forgiveness & a fresh start
- Anger / Temper Patience and love
- Emptiness/Lack of Purpose Purpose and meaning in life
- Grief Comfort and Joy
- Stress / Burnout New energy/power for living
- Low self-esteem Significance - valuable to God
- Poor health Strength to go on
- Disappointment Trust in his good plans
- Insecurity Confidence & sense of security
- Regrets A second chance at life
- Discontent / frantic activity Contentment and peace
- Fears Faith to face my fears
- Loneliness Assurance He’s always w/me
- Lack of emotional support A church family that supports me.
- Addictions / Habits Power to change & Freedom
- Self-centeredness Love for other people
- Despair / Depression Hope
- Cheap thrills Real, lasting happiness
- Boredom with my life Adventure with God
- Fear of Death Assurance of heaven
- “Something was missing” A sense of fulfillment
- Bitterness & resentment Ability to be free from my past
- Pain of rejection God’s unconditional love
- Marriage Problems Positive changes in my marriage
- Financial Problems Positive changes in my finances
- Business Problems Positive changes in my business
III. Recognize your personal _________________ of Fishing.
Styles of Fishing for People:
1. __________________________ – others-centered, humble, patient
Acts 9:36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcus), who was always doing good and helping the poor.
2. __________________________ – hospitable, relational, persuasive
John 4:29, 39 "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"… 30 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony.
3. __________________________ – confident, assertive, and direct
Acts 2:22-24 “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was... handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead...”
4. _________________________ – inquisitive, analytical, logical
Acts 17:16-17 Paul… was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned with them in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.
5. ___________________ - warm personality, conversationalist, friendship-oriented
Mark 5:18-19 (NIV) 18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."
6. _____________________ – there is power in a story
1 Peter 2:9–10 (MSG) 9 But you are the ones chosen by God… God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, 10 to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you…
1 Cor. 3:6 (LB) My work was to plant the seed in your hearts, and Apollos' work was to water it, but it was God, not we, who made the garden grow in your hearts.
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