John 21 (NIV)

¹ Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: ² Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. ³ “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

⁴ Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

⁵ He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

⁶ He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

⁷ Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. ⁸ The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. ⁹ When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

¹⁰ Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” ¹¹ So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. ¹⁴ This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

¹⁵ When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

¹⁶ Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

²⁰ Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) ²¹ When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

²² Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” ²³ Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

²⁴ This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

²⁵ Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER 

Before beginning your time with John and the message, consider going around and sharing how you experienced this Sunday’s installation service.

CONNECT WITH GOD (Use one of the below practices or choose one from a previous week.)

• Use the Lenten Card for Reflection

Alone: Using SBPC’s Lenten card, spend time in lament, confession and stillness. Then, posture yourself to receive the unfailing love of God this new day of Lent. 

• Attending to God through Art

Alone: Using the artwork below, spend 5-10 minutes reflecting and journaling on what you see in the painting.

Pray that God quiets the many distractions within you and beyond you in order to focus on the gift of this artwork before you.

As you focus in on the painting, you might journal your reflections to the following questions:

- Where am I emotionally and spiritually right now?

- Where does God meet me in this painting?

- What new perspectives is God shaping within me as I reflect on this painting?

CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER 

Together: Read John 21:15-19 and Psalm 37:1-6

• Before digging into the scripture and message more, pray together. Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate and enlighten, and to speak to each one of you through the passage. 
• Alone: Reflect/journal on one of the following prompts:  
• In our church’s time of transition, how does this passage of Peter’s own process of transformation help us to connect or reconnect to God and God’s call on our lives?
• Are you being called to any kind of commitment or action as Peter was called in John 21:15-19?
• As a whole group: Around the circle, share your personal reflections and questions about the passage. Encourage one another to engage curiosity, confusion, or bigger questions. 

CONNECT WITH SCRIPTURE 

If needed, read the passage again. Then select the best questions or customize the questions for your group.  

• How did God meet you in the message or in worship this week? 
• How do you find connection between John 21:15-19 and Psalm 37:1-6? 
• What do you notice about the pattern of Jesus’ questions to Peter?  
• How does this new commission that Jesus gives Peter offer a tangible way of showing Peter that he has been forgiven? 
• Psalm 37:1-6 offers assurance of safety and fulfilled desires, and this contrasts Jesus’ prediction for Peter in verses 18 & 19. How do we hold and make sense of both of these passages?
• What questions, observations, or reactions do you have after reflecting on the passage and sermon? 

ENGAGE AND EXPLORE 

Together: Explore the quote below in connection with John 21:15-19. 

The world says, “When you were young you were dependent and could not go where you wanted, but when you grow old you will be able to make your own decisions, go your own way, and control your own destiny.” But Jesus has a different vision of maturity: It is the ability and willingness to be led where you would rather not go.

Henri J.M. Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus

PRAYER 

“Take a moment to imagine the relief and new sense of purpose Peter must have felt after his time with Jesus on the shore? Now give thanks to God for extending to you that same kind of forgiveness and giving you a commission as well. Pray that you might know what it means to serve him well. Pray that you might know what it means to follow Christ whole-heartedly–even when it leads to pain and suffering– and that your life might be a faithful living expression of his love for all to see.” -N.T. Wright, John for Everyone