Gospel of John – Session 12

 

Break the Ice.

  • Finish this sentence. “The thing I’m looking forward to most about summer is…”

Bring the Word. 

Read John 21:1-8

Note: People have different opinions about why Peter and the disciples went fishing. Some say Peter was wrong to go fishing, that he was returning to an old occupation. Some say, it was a very practical, resourceful thing to do as they waited on further instructions from Jesus. Either way, Peter and the disciples were navigating the uneasy waters of uncertainty.

  • What do you think the mood on the boat was that night?
  • What might have been some of the questions running through Peter’s mind?
  • How can uncertainty in the present create uneasiness about the future?

Read John 21:9:-14

  • Jesus didn’t write a book or preach a sermon to the disciples, but what did he do instead to alleviate the uncertainty?
  • Read Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 41:10; Jeremiah 1:19; Psalm 16:11; Psalm 139:7.
  • What do these verses teach us about the presence of God?

Read John 21:15-19

Note: The Greek language had 3 words for love: agape, phileo, and eros. The first two times, Jesus asked, “Do you love (agape) me?” and Peter replied twice, “I love (phileo) you.” Agape is an unconditional, nothing-can-change-it kind of love. Phileo is a deep, committed brotherly love.

  • What significance can we draw from Jesus asking for agape love and Peter responding with phileo love?
  • In Jesus’ third question He used the word phileo, and Peter responded with phileo. Why do you think Peter was grieved after the third question?
  • How was Jesus restoring Peter? What potential did Jesus see in Peter?

Bring it Home.

Action Questions:

  • Can we truly agape-love Jesus, or an we only phileo-love Jesus? What’s the difference?
  • How can we know for sure that Jesus agape-loves us…even when we make mistakes?
  • How can we pray for you this week?

 

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