Community Group Discussion Guide

John 21 – Weekend of August 11 & 12, 2018The Epilogue

I. No Starter Question this week (many possibilities below):

II. Discussion of Scripture:

Context: Following the thesis of the book of John in 20:30-31, John 21 gives us an epilogue, a concluding section that rounds out the design of a literary work. Some things needed to be cleared up, given the full picture. For example, is Peter the one known for his denial of Jesus Christ? No. He was completely restored and used for the furthering of the kingdom of God and for His glory. This epilogue cleared up other misunderstandings like: What is the call going forward for believers? Can the Lord miraculously provide for you? Let’s dive into application from chapter 21.

1. John 21:1-3(ESV) - 21 After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

For Discussion: Consider the discussion on the walk from Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee as the

disciples are processing the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. What would they have talked about?

“I am going fishing.” Is Peter going back to his old business and habits or is he wanting to get away from it all? Where do you go to get away from it all? Have you ever been in a stage of life where you needed to get away from it all? Did Jesus meet you there? He did for Peter and the disciples.

“but that night they caught nothing”. Without Jesus and His provision, we turn up empty, defeated, longing for more. How does this flesh out in 2018 in life, in business, in family?

2. John 21:4-8 (ESV) - 4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

For Discussion: Imagine all night and no success fishing from “professional fishermen”, then Jesus

advises them to fish on the other side of the boat. God calls us to obedience, even when it may seem illogical.

Miraculous provision – They could not haul it in because of the quantity of fish. Has the Holy Spirit ever overwhelmed you in a time of need that could only be from Him? Could you share and testify to the blessing from God. Did He reveal His character to you? “It is the Lord” (John 21:7) and John 10:10 abundance

Compare Peter’s plunge into the Sea of Galilee with his other plunge of walking on water and his impulsive following of Jesus. See Matthew 14

3. John 21:9-14 (ESV) 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

For Discussion: God’s provision – “Come and have breakfast” Compare this passage with John 13

and Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. Or compare the serving of fish and bread with the feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew 14. Has God used overwhelming blessing to get your attention. He did with the disciples so much so they knew it was 153 large fish. Remember the goodness of God’s provision in days when it seems lean or difficult. “and the net was not torn”

4. John 21:15-19 (ESV) - Jesus and Peter 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will

dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

For Discussion: “Simon, son of John” is significant. Jesus called Peter by his name before the

following. Now they are over a charcoal fire and Jesus confronts Peter with a question three times. Remember a time when you have utterly blown it. Have you felt that you are done and God will never use you again? What did you discover about God in that experience? What did Peter learn about God in that experience?

“Do you love me”? Do you love me? Do you love me? Ask yourselves that question. Ask your CG that question. Ask our church that question. Then, “feed my lambs, tend my sheep, and feed my sheep”. What does that look like to you, to your CG, to our church, today? In light of John 10:15, what does the shepherding metaphor mean to Peter? And to us?

“You will stretch out your hands” Christ prophesied the kind of death Peter would endure. Peter followed Christ’s example. He followed Jesus to the point of death. Sobering thoughts.

Forgiveness – Peter was given numerous chances to “follow Me”. So are we. What does this say about the God we serve? What helps to restore you after you have blown it? I John 1:9-10

5. John 21:20-23 (ESV) - Jesus and the Beloved Apostle 20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

For Discussion: “Lord, what about this man?” When have you compared yourself with someone else

and wondered why his or her life is easier or better or ...? How does that affect the way you “follow Christ”? Does that take our focus off Christ and onto our predicament? Hebrews 12:1-2 calls us to fix our eyes on Jesus. Run the race He sets before each of us. “You follow me”

6. John 21:24-25 (ESV) - 24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world

itself could not contain the books that would be written.

For Discussion: As we close the study of the book of John, what has the Lord taught you through this

study?

Take one last look at the thesis, The Purpose of This Book

7. John 20:30-31 (ESV) - “30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. “

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God! Amen!

III. Responding in Prayer:

1. As we head into promotion, pray for our church that we would be led by the Spirit to fully embrace the mission of our church: Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples. As Christians, we were chosen for purpose — the purpose of glorifying God, and we glorify God by loving him, loving people, and making disciples! Pray that God reveals His will and purpose to each of you in your CG.

2. Pray for the people in your community group who are facing difficult trials. Pray for those in the “field” who are standing up to testify to the Truth in closed nations. Pray for our students as they prepare to enter into their schools to reflect the light of Christ in their world.

3. Praise the Lord for times that He forgives us when we fail in our testimony. Praise the Lord He does not give up on us. Praise His Holy Name for loving us like He loved Peter. His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. He is faithful.

Mission / Vision / Valuesof Henderson Hills Baptist Church

Our Mission:Love God. Love People. Make Disciples. Our Vision:Our vision is to become a diverse family of surrendered and transformed people who passionately love God and others. We endeavor to be a body that is overcome by the reality that this life is not about us, but all about the glory of God. We want to be transfixed by the gospel of Jesus Christ and compelled by His heart for our world. We strive to be seed-throwers and fire-starters, hope-announcers and grace-givers, risk-takers and constant-reformers, lifelong-learners and sold-out doers. We desire to be a people who gladly give our lives to free the captive, strengthen the weak, embrace the outcast, and seek out the lost. Because Scripture is our authority, we strive to be a family that serves together, studies the Word together, plays together, worships together, and lives life together. By God's grace our world will be changed because we are here. Our Values:

1. Glorifying God:

We value the passionate pursuit of knowing God and walking with Him.

2. Submitting to the Authority of Scripture:

We value the sufficiency of Scripture in every aspect of our lives.

3. Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ:

We value sharing the Gospel and making disciples.

4. Serving with a Kingdom Perspective:

We value living our lives focused upon what will matter most for eternity.

5. Cherishing the Local Church:

We value the essential role of the church in the sanctification of the believer and salvation of the nations.

6. Doing Life Together in a Christ-Centered Community:

We value that God uniquely uses personal relationships to sanctify and sharpen believers.