“Deeper Faith in 2026”

“Deeper Faith in 2026”

Pastor Josiah Nordgren

January 4, 2026

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭1-4‬ ‭(NIV‬‬)

2026 Focus – Deeper Faith

We exist to love God, reflect His light, and change the world.

Devotions – We will grow in faith by spending time with . 

• January 4th- Journal Store 
• January 10th- Men’s & Women’s Gatherings
• January 11th- Bible & Journal Store
• January 17th- Baptism
• January 18th- Bible & Journal Store
• January 21st- Wednesday Open ‘OG Nights Starts 
• January 24th- Baby Dedication 
• January 27th- Financial Peace University
• January 28th- Start Here Classes
• February 1st- SHAPE Classes 
• February 22nd- Keiki/Parent Devo Class 

* Visit newhopeleeward.org or email [email protected] to sign up or for more information

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭5-6‬ ‭(NIV‬‬)

Jesus only needs you to be one thing: . 

Discussion Questions

This weekend we kicked off the year with a brand-new series called Deeper Water.

In Luke 5, we find Peter in a moment of exhaustion and disappointment. He’s been trying the same thing over and over—fishing all night with nothing to show for it. He’s not believing for a miracle; he’s cleaning up disappointment. Peter is washing empty nets after a long, exhausting night, ready to pack it in and go home.

This is where Jesus tells Peter to go again—to go into deeper water and let his nets down for a catch. Everything in Peter wants to resist: his knowledge of the water, his exhaustion, his pride, his frustration. But more than all of that, Peter has just a little bit of faith. He lets down his nets, and the catch is so large that his nets begin to break.

This story isn’t about empty or full nets. It’s not even about overcoming disappointment. It’s about Jesus calling Peter into deeper water, Peter saying yes, and that yes changing the course of his life. In the same way, Jesus is calling us into deeper water—a deeper faith with Him.

Our focus for 2026 is Deeper Faith Together.

Small Group Discussion Questions

1. Read Luke 5:1–6. What stands out to you from the text or the message?
2. When you think about going deeper in your faith, what excuses or doubts come to mind?
3. Have you done devotions before? What do you enjoy about it, and what do you find difficult?
4. As an OG, make a plan to either do devotions together and share them, or come next week with a devo ready to go.
5. What is one area of your life you would love to see Jesus transform this year?
6. Pray together.