As For You, Follow Me

In one paragraph

Pastor Carl walked the congregation through John 21, the final chapter of John, on the last night of the church's study of that book. Jesus appears to the disciples a third time, performs a miracle, serves them breakfast on the shore, and then restores Peter in a conversation that sent the disciples out into the world affirmed and commissioned. The disciples are back at the Sea of Galilee, doing...

Read together

1. John 21 the main passage read and discussed for the entire sermon
2. John 20 referenced as the previous week's passage about the resurrection appearances to Mary, the disciples, and Thomas
3. Luke 5 referenced as a callback to Jesus telling the disciples to cast their nets in deep water, and telling Peter he would be a fisher of men
4. 1 John 4:18 paraphrased during worship prayer as perfect love casts out fear
5. Proverbs 16:9 paraphrased during worship prayer as we plan our course but God determines our steps
6. Mark 9:24 paraphrased as the person in scripture who said I believe but help me in my unbelief
7. John 20:31 quoted at the close as the stated purpose of John, that by believing in Jesus the son of God you have life by the power of his name

Talk about it

1. Carl pointed out that Jesus met each disciple right where they were individually, whether that was Mary's sorrow, the disciples' fear, or Thomas's doubt. When have you experienced Jesus meeting you right where you were, rather than where you thought you should be?
2. Carl described Jesus waiting on the shore with breakfast ready, and said that tells us something about who God is. He said Jesus was not there to shame Peter or the disciples, but was for them. How does that picture of God sitting with a fire going and a meal ready change or challenge the way you think about approaching Him after you have failed?
3. Florin shared how he drifted from God's will, then came back and prayed that God would do whatever it took to pull him back. Has there been a moment in your own life when you had to stop and honestly say, Lord, I know what I have done, help me? What did that look like?
4. Jesus asked Peter the same question three times, and Carl connected that to Peter's three denials and to the call to feed and care for the sheep. What do you think it means practically, in your own neighborhood or circle, to feed His sheep and carry that message of love and forgiveness forward?
5. When Peter asked about John, Jesus told him not to worry about John but to follow Him. Several people around the room connected to that. Where in your own life do you find yourself comparing your calling or your situation to someone else's, and what would it look like to take Jesus at His word when He says, as for you, follow me?