Free Sunday School lesson for teens and young adults on answering the question: How to Serve God Without Looking Back: Burn the Ships using the King James Bible.
Anyone familiar with the history of the conquest of the Americas knows that Hernan Cortez was not a good man, but he was ambitious. He defied orders and came to the Americas with his small fleet. When his men saw the atrocities of the Aztecs (human sacrifice, cannibalism, etc.) and how they were severely outnumbered, they wanted to flee. However, Cortez had their ships burned. They had no choice but to stay and fight.
There are similar stories in the Bible.
When Elijah called Elisha to be his successor, Elisha not only burned the plow he was using, but he sacrificed the oxen who pulled the plow to ensure he had no reason to ever turn back (1 Kings 19:19-21 KJV).
Today, we are going to focus on a different man: Peter.
When Jesus first met Peter, he instructed the fisherman to let down his nets. “Nets” is a plural word. Fishermen typically had more than one. Peter made an excuse and let down one net. There were so many fish that he had to call for his partners, and the boats began to sink (Luke 5:1-11 KJV).
This story is often used in lessons explaining the goodness of God and how he exceeds out expectations and wants to bless us. While this is true, we are going to take a different approach on the story today.
What if Jesus wanted to sink Peter’s ship?
After the crucifixion, Peter goes back to what he always did. He went fishing (John 21:1-3 KJV).
The other disciples went with him because a person never get out of the will of God without impacting others.
All while Peter was with Jesus during his ministry, where was the boat? Did he keep it safe in case this whole discipleship didn’t work out?
Do you have a ship parked out in your dad’s house in case God’s will doesn’t work out? Or, are you completely sold out?
When God leads us to follow him, he usually requires us to walk by faith, following God one step at a time. Jesus even testifies that we shouldn’t worry – God will take care of our needs (Matthew 6:25-34 KJV). This may not look the way we expect or want, but if you are interested in serving him, God wants to take away your desire and reliance on worldly things and comforts.
Do you have ships God is trying to sink, so you have nothing to return to? So you can “sell out” and only rely on God?
I will end the lesson with the story of a young, rich missionary who gave up everything. William Borden was his name. He was heir to the Borden fortune.
William gave up immense wealth in order to be a missionary to China.
After turning down several impressive job offers and donating a vast majority of his fortune to missions, William wrote in his Bible: “No Reserve.”
He, like Moses, counted the cost of what truly mattered. Wealth and high esteem in the eyes of men mattered very little in comparison to God’s calling on his life. He would not let anything hold him back.
When his father said that he would have no place in the family business if he continued to give away and give up everything to pursue the life of a struggling missionary, Borden wrote in his Bible: “No Retreat.”
Not even family would get in the way of what God had called him to do.
Finally, while studying in Egypt, Borden contracted meningitis. He would die at the age of twenty-five before ever reaching China. However, before he passed away, he added one final phrase to the epitaph: “No Regrets.”
These phrases would be found in his Bible after he passed away just months after beginning his missionary journey.
Borden had no regrets because he had spent his young life doing what God had called him to do. Though his family, friends, and the much of the world would call it a waste, God ensured the young man’s legacy would survive. His story would go on to inspire thousands of young people to also enter the mission field.
Borden had his priorities straight: to serve God. His mind and heart were focused on heaven (Matthew 6:21 KJV – For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.) He burned all ships and bridges, keeping his eyes focused on the cross.
The legacy of William Borden is a testament to us all, but Borden was following the example of another young man who gave up everything for the sake of God’s will.
Jesus Christ’s Story
All Christians know that Jesus was God in flesh, but very few take the time to consider his daily life. Being God, Jesus could have allowed himself to be born into any circumstance. He could’ve been wealthier than Solomon, more handsome than Absolom, and more powerful than Alexander the Great.
But, Jesus chose to be born in a poor family. Mary and Joseph could not even afford the proper sacrifice for her purification (Luke 2:22-24 KJV; Leviticus 12 KJV). Jesus was not handsome – if anything, he was unattractive (Isaiah 53:2 KJV). Despite having all the power and knowledge in the world, Jesus Christ was kind (Matthew 9:36 KJV; Mark 1:41 KJV; Luke 7:13 KJV).
This is what sets apart our God from all others: he willingly was born into a cruel, lowly life and then willingly died after never having done anything to deserve it. Why? Not only was it to save us, but also to prove to us what truly matters.
The world values beauty, fame, money, and power. God values humility, obedience, and faith.
This is why the stories of Elisha, Moses, and William Borden are of no surprise to God Almighty. He went through it, too. He is our example.
As I close the lesson, I leave you with a question: This life is nothing more than a vapor, a drop in the ocean of eternity. What is most important to you? What are you holding on to that keeps you from being all in on serving God. Or, have you burned the ships.
If you enjoyed this Bible lesson “How to Serve God Without Looking Back: Burn the Ships,” be sure to check out other lessons here.
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