Connect What gives you confidence about the resurrection? What is one way the resurrection and the certain hope to resurrection transforms your day-to-day life?
Warm-Up
- If you met a friend who had just been raised from the dead, what would you do next?
Read John 21:1-3
- What do the disciples go out to do? Who suggests the idea? Why would it have been appealing?
- Why were they in Galilee? (Hint: Matthew 28:10; Mark 16:7)
- What is the most surprising thing about their fishing expedition?
Read John 21:4-14
- What does Jesus tell the disciples to do? What happens? Who made the difference?
- Can you think of another significant encounter with Jesus on this same shore? What did Jesus call the disciples from and what did he call them now to do? (Hint: read Mark 1:16-20; Matthew 4:18-22)
- How does ‘fishing for people’ relate to the mission Jesus sends the disciples on? How is it relevant for us today?
- What difference does Jesus make to this fishing trip? Why is mission pointless without Jesus?
- When are you tempted to rely on your own experience, insights, and skills when living for God? What are the signs you are no longer relying on the power of Jesus?
- What should it look like for you to remain in Jesus, and depend on his power?
- What details are we given about the amount of fish caught? What is the significance of 153 fish?
- Which interactions between Jesus and the disciples bookend the haul of fish? What does this tells us about the focus of commissioning the disciples for mission?
- What is Jesus sending out the disciples and us to do? (c.f. John 20:21)
- How vast is the scope of mission? Who are five people on your frontlines who don’t yet know Jesus? When could you pray for them each day? Pair it with something you are already doing daily.
- In addition to telling the disciples about where to fish, what is Jesus’ other invitation? How does Jesus provide for them - physically, emotionally, and spiritually?
- What does this tell us about how Jesus cares for us? How have you seen Jesus’ care recently?
- How is Jesus with us, in the mission he has sent us on? Why is this comforting and reassuring?
Apply Identify five people on your frontlines who don’t yet know Jesus. Plan a time to pray for them each day.
