June 5, 2011
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The Restoration
of Peter
As we look closely at this final encounter in John between Jesus and
Peter, we see Jesus redeeming Peter. Peter had completely disowned
Jesus just a few chapters earlier in 18:15-18 and 18:25-27. This particular encounter reenacts Peter’s denial, and helps him to follow Jesus on
Jesus’ terms.
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As you prepare to teach, you might recall examples in your own life
where you have disregarded, looked over, or even dismissed Jesus for
a period of time. Students sometimes view the teacher as having it all
together; however, sharing stories of personal brokenness can help
them better relate their own experiences to you.
Peter was often seen as the spokesperson for the disciples. He was
quick to speak, quick to react, and quick to deny. After the crucifixion,
Peter returned to his life before Jesus—fishing. Jesus found Peter and
issued a call to follow, just like He did three or so years prior (John 21:114). Jesus came to “reinstate” and affirm His faith in Peter’s ability to
follow and lead others in living in God’s kingdom.
It is important to remember that redemption is an ongoing process.
God is continually redeeming us. What Peter saw in himself is not
what Jesus saw. Jesus was inviting Peter to remember his calling, to
simply come and follow. The life of the redeemed is a life lived in radical obedience to the new law of Christ: loving God with heart, soul,
mind and strength, and loving one’s neighbor as one’s self. The life of
the redeemed understands that through the sacrifice of Jesus on the
cross, forgiveness has been offered once for all. The choice, then, is to
humbly and gracefully live in that forgiveness, day by day.
This story of Jesus and Peter is a story of identity. Too often, we base
our identities on the constantly changing perspective of others, instead
of on the truth of Jesus. The questions and the call that Jesus extended
to Peter are questions with which we must all wrestle. Do we love
Jesus? Do we compare our love and ourselves to others? Do we trust
Jesus enough to follow Him, even when we’re not sure of the way? This
story is our story. We are continually being renewed and redeemed by
God’s transforming love. When we fail, when we forget, when we live in
ways that deny Christ, God is still seeking us out, and molding us into
His image.
The calling of Jesus comes with a job. Peter’s job of “feeding sheep”
was a reminder of Peter’s place within the church, a call to leadership
and service in the kingdom. We have all been gifted to serve in God’s
kingdom. Our gifting may be words and acts of encouragement, acts of
service, teaching others, or sharing with those in need. However God
has gifted us, we are to employ these gifts with love (1 Corinthians 13).
Peter lived as a fisherman, he knew the work and the sacrifice necessary to make a living from a boat. Jesus transformed Peter into a “fisher
of men,” where the skills he once used for himself were now being used
to extend God’s kingdom.
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Following Jesus happens one day at a time, one moment at time. The
choices we make today echo in eternity. We follow Jesus by trusting
that the way of love, the new law, will lead to the path of redemption
for all of creation.
Helping Students Connect to the Story
This is a story of great hope, complete forgiveness, and a new start.
Being human, we will all fall short. This story helps us to see things
from Christ’s eternal perspective—even though we fall, the coming and
present kingdom of God will not fail.
Walking the halls of school, students often say or act in ways that
are incongruent with their faith. They argue with parents and siblings, acting both rude and selfish. They may profess Christ with their
lips, but their lives and the photos on Facebook say something else.
Regardless of the number of times and the ways that we have denied
Christ, He still pursues our hearts and minds, the entirety of our being.
Jesus still has faith in us, that we can be who God created us to be.
Students live in a world of the immediate, where they are ruled by
feeling much more so than thinking. Perhaps the students have been
consistent and faithful in their journeys with Christ at one time, but
still struggle with thoughts, attitudes, or actions that don’t seem very
“Christlike.” Consequently, there would be a natural feeling that God is
distant. However, the reality is that no matter how students feel, God
is present. He is continuing His work in our lives, even redeeming what
we consider “failures” for His kingdom. Each day students ask, “Who
am I?” They live out the answer to this question every day. Jesus invites
them to live in His story, and as they live, discover who they are.
Welcome
We reflect on the week that has passed since we were together last.
Where did you see God at work in the world around you
this week?
Where did you see God at work in you this week?
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Timeline from Last Week
Revisit the Timeline to review last week’s step in the story of God’s
redemption. Point out the “Blessed is he/she who comes in the name
of the Lord” written on the Timeline. Say, We can find ourselves in
God’s story because it is our story, too. What was our story last
week? Where did you find yourself in that story? How does this
story fit in with the rest of the story of the Bible?
John 21:15-19
Before you read the story, you might want to remind students of
Peter’s denial of Christ (John 18). You could also share a story of a time
when you chose not to live the fullness of your faith, but did what you
thought best instead. This story took place after the resurrection, and
after a miraculous catch of fish. Jesus wanted Peter to know the depths
and power of His love.
Reading 1: Before the reading, ask students to listen carefully for a
phrase or word to be repeated. For the first reading, ask for three volunteers to read the Scripture passage. Have one volunteer be the narrator, one be Peter, and one be Jesus. After this reading, ask students
which word or phrase caught their attention.
Reading 2: For the second reading, ask for three different volunteers
to read in the same fashion. You might consider using a different translation. Again, before the reading, invite students to carefully listen and
see if a word or phrase is repeated and/or catches their attention. After
the reading, ask students to share what they heard from this story.
Reading 3: For the third reading, ask for three different volunteers
(the same people can be used again, but have them read a different
portion). When the reading is finished, ask someone who didn’t read
to summarize the story in his/her own words. Say, John writes this
story that we too may know and live the redeemed life.
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Say, Peter was one of the most popular of the disciples. He was
the leader and, often, the spokesperson. His denial of Jesus
placed his own identity in question. He was having a hard time
discovering his place in the kingdom again, so he returned to
what he knew—fishing. Peter needed the redeeming love of
Jesus to restore him to his place; not as a leader and powerhouse, but as a follower of Christ, loved by Christ.
Distribute Student Handout 1.1 and ask students to take a couple of
minutes and write down their responses to the following questions:
• Which phrases do you remember from the story?
• How would you feel if you were Peter and Jesus asked
you these questions? (Nervous, embarrassed, ashamed, hurt,
and so on.)
• What does Jesus mean when He said, “Feed my sheep”?
YOUNGER OPTION
• How did you feel when Jesus said, “Follow me”?
Here’s a classic game to get
Follow-up by discussing each question on the handout.
younger students engaged in
the lesson. Have all students
sit in a circle. One student
is “it,” and it is this student’s job to get someone to
smile. The person who is “it”
stands in front of a seated
student and says, “Honey, if
you love me, please smile.”
Using a whiteboard, write down students’ responses to the following
The chosen student must
questions:
respond, “I love you honey,
1. Imagine you are your parents. What words would your parents
use to describe you?
but I just can’t smile.” If he/
she smiles, then he/she is the
new “it.”
2. Imagine you are one of your best friends. What words would
your best friend use to describe you? (Use a different color
marker.)
3. What words would God use to describe you? (Use a different
color marker.)
Say, We often live the message we believe. Jesus came to Peter
and told him that he was both forgiven and needed in the
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kingdom. Jesus was calling Peter to follow Him, to use the gifts
and talents God had given him to grow the kingdom. When we
read this story, we are reminded that God’s words to us are not
words of condemnation, but words that bring forgiveness, joy,
hope, and purpose to our lives.
Ask,
• If you were talking with God, what would you really want to
hear Him say to you?
• What gifts and talents has God given to you, and how can you
use those in His kingdom?
Distribute Student Handout 1.2. Say, When Jesus said “Follow Me,” it
was an opportunity for a new life. When Jesus said, “Follow Me”
He was, in essence, saying, “I believe you can do the things that
I have been doing.” Following Jesus means surrendering our
lives to Him and living by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Ask students to list five ways that they can follow Jesus this week. How
will your life tangibly demonstrate your faith and love for Jesus? After
everyone has had an opportunity to write, share your own list of five.
Spend a moment praying for the students before moving on to the
Timeline Activity. If your group is comfortable praying together, ask
students to get in small groups and pray for each other’s choices and
opportunities to live the love of Jesus this week.
SENSORY OPTION
Have a large white candle
(place it in a bowl or container with some sand) to
light at the beginning of
SKILL BUILDER
class. Tell the students it’s
a reminder that Christ is
We live in a very negative culture. Psychologists often say that we
with us. Give each student
need 10 positive comments to counteract every negative state-
a small candle to light from
ment that is made towards us. With the help of other adults in the
the Christ candle during the
church, write letters to each of the students in your ministry. In the
Living Out the Story time.
letter, have the adults write 10 things that they appreciate about
Say, Jesus came as the
this student. Mail the letters mid-week so that students will receive
light of the world. Jesus
them before next Sunday.
sends us now to reflect
His light wherever we go.
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Peter was called to feed sheep. We have all been called to follow Jesus
and serve Him using the gifts and talents He has given us. Have a
student take a couple of cotton balls and either tape or glue them to
the timeline. The cotton balls will serve as a reminder of Jesus’ call
MEDIA OPTION
If students have a
Facebook/email/Twitter
and statements of affirmation. Like sheep, we are to follow the Good
account, or they just like
Shepherd. Like Peter, we are also called to help feed other sheep.
to text, have one student
commit to send a message to all the members
in class: “Follow Jesus.
Feed His sheep.”
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