Bible Studies

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Key Verses: (NCV)

• 1: “Later, Jesus showed Himself to His followers again – this time at Lake Galilee.” – The disciples had returned to the Sea of Galilee, perhaps near the same location of the feeding of the five thousand. As they wandered, putting the Crucifixion into perspective, it is understandable why they might return to locations that would remind them of the early successes in Jesus’ ministry.
  
  
• 3: “Simon Peter said, ‘I am going out to fish.’ The others said, ‘We will go with you.’ So they went out and got into the boat. They fished that night but caught nothing.” – Confused and not sure what to do, Simon Peter returns to an activity that provides solace for his grief and time with his thoughts – fishing.
  
  
• 4: “Early the next morning Jesus stood on the shore, but the followers did know it was Jesus.” – An earlier story being replayed yet the disciples, focused on their loss and uncertain future, are slow to realize what is taking place.
  
  
• 6: “He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they did, and they caught so many fish they could not pull the net back into the boat.” – Deja vu
  
  
• 7: “The follower whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Peter heard him say this, he wrapped his coat around himself…Then he jumped into the water.” – John, the Beloved, was the first to realize what was taking place. Peter, still immersed in the grief of his denial, symbolically wraps all his burdens around himself, dives into the water, and swims to Jesus.
  
  
• 11: “Simon Peter went into the boat and pulled the net to the shore. It was full of big fish, one hundred fifty-three in all, but even though there were so many, the net did not tear.” – Playing out the role of being the evangelist that Jesus was calling him to be, Peter’s laden net illustrates that there is room for everyone who turns to Christ.
  
  
• 15: “When they finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John do you love me more than these?’” – Jesus, providing Peter the opportunity to repent of his three denials, asks Him three times if he loves Him. This process sheds Peter of his guilt and frees him to move forward in ministry.
  
  
• 17b: “Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ Peter said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!’ He said to him, ‘Feed my sheep’” – In response to his love for Jesus, Peter is called into a specific ministry – build a church that grows, tends, and feeds the followers of Christ.
  
  
• 18: “I tell you the truth, when you were younger, you tied your own belt and went where you wanted. But when you are old, you will put out your hands and someone else will tie you and take you where you don’t want to go.” – An uncertain future lay ahead but Peter could have confidence that God was in control.
  
  
• 19: “(Jesus said this to show how Peter would die to give glory to God.) Then Jesus said to Peter, ‘Follow me.’” – Jesus tells Peter to set aside his worry and shame and follow Him wherever He leads.
  

Points to Contemplate:

• When nothing makes sense, what do you do? Is there a certain activity such as writing, reading, knitting, or gardening that you turn to during times of confusion or uncertainty? Do you recognize the importance of grounding your self in the familiar and comfortable when the world’s problems begin to press in? Does Jesus usually visit you in the midst these “comfort” activities? In what ways have you experienced the clarity and guidance of Christ in these times?
  
  
• What burdens do you have wrapped around you? Peter’s grief was weighing him down and his efforts to strip free of them had failed. When Jesus appeared he picked up all his worry and disappointment and carried them to Christ. What can you pick up and take to Christ? When you stand before Jesus at a moment such as this, what do you do or say? Peter stood silently in the presence of God. Would this work for you? Would silence help you to better understand what next God has in store?
  
  
• What are the biggest blunders of your life? Have you faced them, admitted them, or wondered about them? Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times at the moment of His darkest hour. His heart was heavy with grief. He had failed the Lord. Healing began when Jesus asked: “Peter, do you love me?” What would you say in answer to that question? Do you really love Jesus? Is He your friend? Savior? Lord?
  
  
• Are you feeding Jesus’ sheep? Are we all to answer this call to ministry? In what ways can you feed or tend His sheep? Do you do so by being evangelistic like Peter? Perhaps you are a singer, teacher, leader, nurse, or friend? Are all spiritual gifts ultimately designed to meet the needs of God’s sheep? Are you ready for those He sends you each day?
  
  
• Are you following Jesus? What does this mean? Peter eventually was crucified, following Jesus into death? Are we all to follow Jesus into life of sacrifice, persecution, and death? Or is Jesus’ example of humble servanthood our universal purpose? Are we to be concerned with where He is leading or, are we to set aside our worries and have faith that His plan for us is good? Can you follow Jesus wherever He leads you?
  

Promises of the Gospel:

Peter was knocked down and wallowing in the mud of his grief and memory of failure. In the course of dealing with his despair, he returned to a familiar place and began an activity that allowed him to go through the motions of life. Suddenly Jesus appears. Peter picks up all His burdens, rushes to Jesus, and silently waits for guidance. Because Jesus restores and heals, we can expect to be forgiven, no matter what burden we may carry. Jesus does not let his followers wallow in failure. We may be uncertain and fearful about our future, but if we accept that God is in control, we can confidently follow Christ, no matter what. After Peter repented Jesus then asked him to commit his life to following Him and tending his flock. Like a rider who has fallen from his horse, we can turn to Christ, acknowledge that we love Him, accept His forgiveness, and allow Him to put us back into the saddle of life. From this point of restoration we then can prepare ourselves for the ministry opportunities that God will send our way.

John 21:1-19

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