The Gospel of John
Sabbath School Study Week 15
Chapter 21
Chapter
21:1-14
I would suggest that you read
Desire of Ages chapter 85. It is a
beautiful read about this chapter. I
used it a lot as I prepared for this weeks lesson. You can read it online if you don’t have the
book. http://www.whiteestate.org/books/da/da85.html
1. The
disciples head out in the boat because Peter suggests they go. Can you imagine what that night was
like? They were back in their stomping
ground. On the sea of Galilee. They are fishing but they don’t catch
anything. What do you think the atmosphere
was like? What were the conversations
about?
On our 23rd wedding
anniversary Chris and I went back to the church where we got married. I had made the arrangements with the current
Pastor. It is a Methodist church so we
went on a Sabbath afternoon. As we
walked into this silent sanctuary we were both surprised by the emotion that welled
up in us. The light streaming through
the windows, the long aisle, the pews, even the smells, reminded us of the
greatest day ever. I looked at Chris now
with grey temples, and I saw him again as the young groom I had married 23
years earlier. There was something very
powerful about being in the place where we had started this incredible
marriage.
I can only imagine being in the
boat on the Sea of Galilee must have been the
same for the disciples. They spent the
night reflecting about their time with Jesus their Lord.
2. Peter
with such eagerness jumps out of the boat and then he is also the one who
eagerly runs back into the water to get the fish when Jesus asks them to bring
it. Do you think some of his eagerness was needing or feeling the need to make
up for the times he had denied Christ or was it just his impulsive nature
sending him again out of the boat to meet Jesus?
3. Then
the men sit and have a meal with Jesus that Jesus had made with his own nail
scared hands. What a special time for them to always have from then on. I’m sure fish over a fire always reminded
them of that morning. What is your
breakfast experience with Jesus. Have
you ever had a moment a meal a church service or a personal worship that you
will never forget? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter
21: 15-25
1. What
was the question Jesus asks Peter?
2. How
many times does he ask it?
3. How
many times does Peter proclaim his love for Jesus?
4. What
does Jesus ask him to do?
Ellen White writes in the Desire of Ages:
The Saviour's manner of dealing with Peter had a lesson for him and for his
brethren. It taught them to meet the transgressor with patience, sympathy, and
forgiving love. Although Peter had denied his Lord, the love which Jesus bore
him never faltered. Just such love should the undershepherd feel for the sheep
and lambs committed to his care. Remembering his own weakness and failure,
Peter was to deal with his flock as tenderly as Christ had dealt with him. The question that Christ had put to Peter was significant. He mentioned only one condition of discipleship and service. "Lovest thou Me?" He said. This is the essential qualification. Though Peter might possess every other, yet without the love of Christ he could not be a faithful shepherd over the Lord's flock. Knowledge, benevolence, eloquence, gratitude, and zeal are all aids in the good work; but without the love of Jesus in the heart, the work of the Christian minister is a failure.
5. Do
you love Jesus?
6. Do
you love Jesus?
7. Do
you love Jesus?
8. Then
are you ready, being filled with his love, to serve those around you?
9. Are
you ready to feed His sheep?
10. What does
that mean?
11. Who are His
sheep?
12. What does
feeding them mean?
13. What is it
to feed sheep?
Jesus tells Peter about the end of his life. Then Peter noticing that John is following
asks what will happen to John. Jesus
answers, what does it matter to you?
In Desire of ages Ellen White writes:
How many today are like Peter!
They are interested in the affairs of others, and anxious to know their duty,
while they are in danger of neglecting their own. It is our work to look to
Christ and follow Him. We shall see mistakes in the lives of others, and
defects in their character. Humanity is encompassed with infirmity. But in
Christ we shall find perfection. Beholding Him, we shall become transformed.
1. Do
you let your concern for what is going on in other peoples live keep your focus
off of what Christ is trying to do in your life?
2. By
beholding Him we will be changed. How
practically do we behold Him?
3. How
do we keep our focus on Him?
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