Welcome to our final week of our summer series, Dinner with Jesus. This week, we discuss Jesus’ breakfast conversation of restoration with Peter.
SHARE LIFE
Building healthy and life-giving relationships.
Updates
What has been new or challenging in your life since last time the group met? Spend 20–30 minutes checking in with each other.
Share Part of Your Story
If you had to choose one meal or food for life—what would it be and why?
Prayer
In the context of this whole sermon series, how can the group pray for you in your spiritual growth?
PURSUE GOD
Taking next steps toward Christ together.
Read aloud John 21:1-17 in a couple of different translations. Discuss any differences you see in the word choices. What jumps out at you, and what do you connect with in this passage?
Breakfast with Jesus
Peter disowned Jesus three times. What kinds of thoughts or feelings do you think Peter and the other disciples were experiencing as they were fishing? How do you think they all reacted to seeing Jesus on the beach?
All kinds of experiences might make us feel disqualified from being part of Jesus’ team. When do you think people might feel like they’ve failed too much? Have you ever felt that way? Consider sharing what happened with the group.
Read John 21:9-13 again. Think about the fire, the mood on the beach and Jesus baking bread. What would the disciples have seen, smelled and heard? How would that feel inviting to them?
Jesus invites the disciples and specifically Peter to fellowship and be served by him. What does this communicate about who God is? What do you think about the idea that God wants to nourish us?
A Fireside Chat
Go back and read John 21:15-17 again. Why do you think Jesus used repetition in this conversation with Peter?
It is possible that some of us are overdue for a “fireside chat” of making things right. What kind of heartache do these conversations bring? How can they give us freedom?
A Critical Assignment
Have someone read Matthew 26:31-35. How does that story contrast the scene on the beach?
Peter needed to know that he was still in the game and needed by Jesus. How do you think it changes someone’s opinion of themselves when they know they are needed? What kinds of things does God give us responsibility for? Where do you feel like God needs you?
Read 1 Peter 5:1-4. How do you see Peter grow from the passage in Matthew to this letter that he writes?
We express our love for God by taking care of God’s other kids. Talk about how this can be both a huge opportunity and a difficult task. What do you think it means that we should all be little shepherds caring for God’s flock? What can that look like and how can you live that out in your life this week?
Why is it hard to consider service and ministry as both an honor and an opportunity? Discuss what it might look like to think of serving as a “get to” rather than a “have to.”
In concluding our summer series this week, we discussed a compelling story of restoration and invitation from Jesus. Where have you felt that you needed to grow throughout these sermons? What is one specific thing you will do this week to grow in that area?
INVEST IN OTHERS
Valuing people outside the group and outside the faith.
Discuss how you and your group can better engage the people in your life outside your small group.
Serve
How has your group determined to serve someone else this summer? Maybe it is a group project, or maybe it is filling a need at church. Talk about a few last options for serving this summer and think through how you can work together to meet a need and serve God’s flock.
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