Sermon Based Curriculum
Sermon Date: April 25, 2010
Sermon Title: What If I Fall?
Sermon Text: John 21:15-22
Small Group Text: John 21:15-17
Introduction
Earlier in this chapter (John 21:1-14) the resurrected Christ appears to the disciples and teaches them about fishing for more. We saw that in order to accomplish the evangelistic work of the church (fishing for men), success cannot occur without the power of God added to the mix of human effort. This week, in John 21:15-17, we will see in the symbolism of the sheep the obligation and privilege that we have to those within the Christian fellowship. We learn that as his disciples we must:
Discussion
•
Give Him our heart’s full devotion.
•
Give Him our gifts and abilities to feed and nurture one another.
•
Give Him our failures.
Read John 21:15-17. 1. Why do you think Jesus repeated the same question to Peter three times? It was three times that Peter denied the Lord. See John 18:15-27. It was three times that the Lord gave him the chance to affirm his love.
2. Why would Jesus question Peter in front of the other disciples? Jesus asked him publicly because Peter’s three denials had been public. Sin should be dealt with only to the extent that it is known. Private sins should be confessed privately, and public sins in public.
3. If you had been Peter, how would you have felt by the end of the third question? 4. “Feed my lambs…Take care of my sheep…Feed my sheep.” What is Jesus saying to Peter and to all of us who follow Him? Jesus was giving Peter a threefold commission that restored Peter to his ministry. Jesus was not only forgiving Peter for his denials, he was reinstating him to service. Each of us have a gift or gifts from the Lord, and we should use what He has given us to help protect and perfect the flock. Sheep are prone to wander, and we must look after each other and encourage each other.
5. Read John 10:14-15. What would Jesus’ “shepherding” image mean to us in light of these verses? That we would be willing to lay down our lives for the sheep that God has given into our care. Do just as Jesus had done.
Application
1. What is the closest you have come to blowing it so badly that you thought God was never going to speak to you again? What did you discover about God in that experience? 2. Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me more than these?” What are some things in your life that might distract you from loving Jesus “more than these”? 3. What “shepperding” role has God given you to help feed and/or care for His sheep? 4. How do you think God can help you overcome a recent failure in your life to better serve Him?
Sermon-Based Curriculum