The God of Second Chances

Scripture Lesson: Galatians 6:1-2 The God of Second Chances Not Just Another Day On the Lake Week #2 1. Peter and the disciples go fishing. Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “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. – John 21:2--3 2. Jesus appears on the shore. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 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. - John 21:4-6 3. Peter can’t contain himself. When 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. – John 21:7 4. Peter and Jesus talk. 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.” 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.” 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. 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!” – John 21:15-19 Points To Ponder 1. Read John 21:1–19. What do we learn about Peter and the disciples from this passage? In what ways does this picture of the disciples call us twenty-one centuries later to live in community with other believers? 2. John and Peter’s response to Jesus’s presence at the shore should be considered. How does John recognize Jesus on the shore? What does Peter do with that knowledge? Why do we sometimes find it so difficult to recognize the presence of God in our lives? Why don’t we “jump out of the boat” more often to race to God? 3. Jesus’s interaction with Peter is a type of confession and confirmation initiated by Jesus. How do Jesus’s words call Peter to a deeper relationship with Jesus? How might Jesus’s questions have created conflict for Peter? How about resolution? 4. What does this passage say to you about the power of God’s forgiveness and restitution for our lives? How might the miraculous catch, the fish being prepared on the shore, and the words of challenge remind us of God’s love for us today? Homework: Philemon 1