A paraphrase of John 21:1-19
Peter and the disciples had gone fishing. They had been fishing all night and had caught nothing. The next morning, they were headed in to shore when they saw someone on the beach. (It was Jesus, the Risen Christ, but they didn’t realize it yet.) Jesus asked them “Have you caught anything?” No, they hadn’t. “Let down your net on the right side of the boat,” Jesus told them. They did so and caught 153 large fish. All of a sudden, they realized it was Jesus! Peter jumped into the water and swam to shore. When they arrived, Jesus was cooking breakfast for them on a fire of coals. He fed them bread and fish.
After breakfast, Jesus had a long talk with Peter, who had denied knowing him three times on the night Jesus was arrested. Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Peter said he did three times. (But he was embarrassed that Jesus had to ask him three times. He remembered that he had denied Jesus three times.) Each time when Peter said he loved Jesus, Jesus told him things like “Feed my lambs,” “Take care of my sheep,” and “Feed my sheep.” Finally, he told Peter, “You follow me.”
You can watch a version of the story here:
Theme Discussion
1. The disciples had been out fishing all night long. They were working hard but they weren’t catching any fish. Even though they were fishing the same way they had always done, it wasn’t working. Jesus gave them a new idea – a different way of looking at the work they were called to do. All through his ministry, Jesus taught people new ways to do things. What are some new ideas Jesus had for the way we live that will make the world work better?
2. In this story, Jesus shares a meal with the disciples. Can you think of some other stories in the Bible where Jesus shares a meal? Does this story remind you of any other Bible stories? What lessons from Jesus are you reminded of when you hear this story?
3. Think about the times you have shared a meal with others – your family dinners, parties or special occasions, picnics, pot luck dinners at the church… Why do you think sharing a meal together is often a way of celebrating? Do you think eating together is important? Why?
4. After breakfast, Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” three times! He tells him to take care of his lambs and his sheep. He is reminding Peter of the important work he has to do in the world, the work of taking care of others. Why do you think he repeats these things three times?
Response Activity Ideas
Charades - How do you feed sheep?
Print out the scenarios and cut apart. Some have been left blank for you to add your own ideas! Fold the papers and place them in a basket or bowl. Participants, alone or in pairs, can pick an action/scenario, read it silently, and act it out, trying to get the others to guess in what way they are following the call to “feed my sheep”.
Click to print PDF
Wordsearch
Click to print PDF
Mission and Outreach Investigation
Look through this week’s bulletin announcements (PDF) - how is BCUC tending to God’s flock?
Visit the Ottawa Westend Community Chaplaincy webpage (https://rom9168.wixsite.com/website) and Multi-Faith Housing Initiative site (https://www.multifaithhousing.ca/). These are initiatives supported by our church. How are these groups following Jesus’ example to make the world a better place?
Visit the United Church’s Social Action page (https://united-church.ca/social-action) and browse through the different topics to learn about some examples of our church in action in the world - Did any particular mission surprise you? Interest you?
Look through the Gifts with Vision catalogue - Notice the variety of causes and needs the Mission and Service Fund addresses.
Are there more local issues in our community that YOU are concerned about? Research ways to help and support these concerns or other interests from the M&S info. Is there something we can do as a church? Do you have new ideas for SOSA or the youth and children of BCUC to take action on?