small group study guide | empty: this changes everything!
DESCRIPTION
In the last two chapters of John’s gospel we are shown the power of one empty grave. For Mary, we would see that empty meant saying good‐bye to our sorrow. For the disciples it would mean a strengthened service for their master. With Thomas it meant he could stop his second guessing. When it came to Peter he would finally be able to slay the shame of his life. How about you? What does an empty tomb mean for you? When we observe and recognize the risen Christ we will experience the fact that… It Changes Everything!!!TRANSCRIPT
Aurora Indian Creek Sugar Grove Illinois
Page2
TableofContents
VBC Small Group Schedule ............................................................................................................................ 3
Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................................ 3
What is an Inductive Bible Study Method? ................................................................................................... 4
Series Overview.............................................................................................................................................. 5
Saying Good‐Bye to Our Sorrow .................................................................................................................... 6
Small Group Preparation Questions .................................................................................................. 8
Strengthening our Service ........................................................................................................................... 11
Small Group Preparation Questions ................................................................................................ 13
Stop Your Second Guessing ......................................................................................................................... 16
Small Group Preparation Questions ................................................................................................ 17
Slaying our Shame ........................................................................................................................................ 19
Small Group Preparation Questions ................................................................................................ 21
SmallGroupInformation
Group Core Values
Group Commitments
Prayer Lists
Goals
Snack Sign up Lists
Page3
VBCSmallGroupSchedule
Study When Scripture
Week #1 Week of April 24 John 20:1‐18 Week #2 Week of May 1 John 20:19‐23 Week #3 Week of May 8 John 20:24‐31 Week #4 Week of May 15 John 21:15‐25 Week #5 Week of May 22 Conclusion Party
Acknowledgements
This study was a collaborative effort.
Inductive Bible Study Method .... Precepts Austin
Weekly Devotionals .................... Written by Travis Fleming, Teaching Pastor, VBC Grace Campus
Weekly Study Questions ............. Written by Tim Badal, Lead Teaching Pastor, Village Bible Church
Page4
WhatisanInductiveBibleStudyMethod?TheinductiveBiblestudymethodisbasedonareviewofthecontextsurroundingeach passage of scripture. Investigation of each statement is crucial inunderstandingthemeaningoftheBible.Thisprocessinvolves4keysteps.
Prayer
BeforeapersonbeginsanyBiblestudy,theyshouldprayforthehelpoftheHolySpirit.ThiscanbeaforgottenaspectofstudyingGod'sWordbecausemanypeopleapproach the Bible as though they were studying a textbook. Without prayer,inductiveBiblestudyisjustamethod.
Observation
Nextwe recommend that a person continually question:Who?What?When?Where?Why? How? Continue bymarkingwordsthatarerepeatedorprominentinthetext.Repetitionbythewriteroftenindicatestheimportanceofaconceptsoremphasisonwhathewantsthereadertolearn.
Lists are another important focus,which revealmain concepts and keys. Contrasts and comparisons, especiallythosewithhighlydescriptivelanguage,usestrongvisualimagerytohelpthereaderrememberwhathelearned.
Identifythepassageoftimetoascertainthesequenceofeventsandbetterinterpretmeaning.Notechapterthemesregardingaperson,principle,event,orfocus.Thesecanbedeterminedthroughareviewofthelistsandkeywordsalreadyobserved.
Interpretation
Overall,theBibleshouldbeusedtointerpretitself.Inotherwords,theBiblewillnevercontradictitself.Iftherearetwopassagesthatseematoddswitheachother,itismostlikelybecausethereisathirdpassagethatwilltiethetwotogether.
Oneortwoisolatedorobscureversesarenotasolidbasisfordoctrine.Context,includinghistoricalandculturalconsiderations,isakeyconceptinstudyingGod'sWord.TheBibleshouldbeinterpretedliterally.God'sdesireisthatweknowtruth.Mostpassagescanbetakenatfacevalueandwillspeakforthemselves.However,takeliterarystylesintoconsideration.SimilesandmetaphorsareusedliberallythroughoutsomebooksoftheBiblebutrarelyinothers.
AlthoughtheBible itselfshouldbethemainresourcein inductiveBiblestudy,werecognizethevalueofoutsideresources.Therearemanyothersolidstudymaterialsthatareavailable,bothonlineandinbookform.Inaddition,groupstudyandlisteningtoothers'perspectivescanbeaninvaluabletoolandprovideadditionalinsight.
Application
OnceapersonunderstandswhatGod'sWordsays,sheisobligatedtoapplythatteachingtoherlife.TheBiblewillexpose false belief systems or thought patterns that do not align with God and that can often result in poorbehavior choices. Scripture outlines a process‐‐sometimes general, but often specific‐‐to take to change thebehavior.
Page5
SeriesOverview
Long lines of visitors from all over the world wait patiently day after day to visit Lenin’s Tomb and view his
embalmed body. Although he died in 1924, the corpse of that Communist leader has seemingly suffered no
decomposition. It looks deceptively lifelike. And its appearance is indeed deceptive. Skillful artistsmonitor the
preservedcorpse,artificiallycoloringitsfaceandusingwaxtofillinanylinesorthesmallestspotofdecay.
People also regularly visit Jerusalem to see the place where Jesus died and was buried. But there’s a striking
contrast—thereisnobodyofthecrucifiedChristanywhere.Oh,thereisonerock‐hewntomb,whereaccordingto
traditionthenail‐scarred,spear‐driven,thorn‐crownedcorpseofChristwaslaid.Butresurrectedbythepowerof
God His Father, the Savior left His grave clothes behind when He emerged from the tomb, like a butterfly
abandoningitscocoon.JesusisaliveandyoucanknowHispresencetoday.BecauseofHisatoningdeathandthe
emptytomb,youcanvictoryovertheenemyofsinanddeath.
Inthelast2chaptersofJohn’sgospelweareshownthepowerofoneemptygrave.ForMary,wewouldseethat
emptymeant saying good‐bye to our sorrow. For the disciples itwouldmean a strengthened service for their
master.WithThomasitmeanthecouldstophissecondguessing.WhenitcametoPeterhewouldfinallybeableto
slay the shame of his life. How about you? What does an empty tombmean for you? Whenwe observe and
recognizetherisenChristwewillexperiencethefactthat…ItChangesEverything!!!
Grave,whereisthyvictorynow?SeethelightuponHisbrow!Empty—see,thestonybed;Christisrisenfromthedead!
Chisholm
Page6
Empty!Lesson1
SayingGood‐ByetoOurSorrow
“Jesussaidtoher,‘Woman,whyareyouweeping?Whomareyouseeking?’"—John20:15a
Sorrow.TherewasnootherwordtodescribethepaininMaryMagdalene’sheartasshemadeherwaytoJesus’
tomb.Hermindwasweary,playingovertheeventsofthelastthreedays.Hehadbeensomuchtoher,offeredher
anewlife,givenherhopeandapurpose,butnowHewasgone.SherememberedwhenshefirstmetHim.Itfelt
like so longago. Shedidn’t remembermuch,but she rememberedHis face. Apparently,Hehadcastout seven
demons fromher. Itwasas ifshehadcomeout fromahaze. Lifewasmuddled,difficult then,butnow…itwas
different,anditwasallbecauseofHim.
Shewasstillnumb—thescarsofthelastthreedayswerestillfreshinhermind.ShewishedthattheimageofHis
deathwoulddisappear,butitdidn’t.Shewastired,hermindached,andherfacerevealedthepainandsorrowof
griefspentoverthelossofonedearlyloved.Herfacewaspuffyandhereyeswetasshemadeherwaytothetomb.
Lightwasjustbeginningtopeekacrossthehorizonanddarknesswasgivingwaytolight.Thelightcrunchofher
feetandthoseoftheladieswithhersoftlyfilledthemorningair.Itwasabeautifulmorning,butsuchbeautyinthe
faceofsorrowonlygivesgreaterweighttosorrow,asC.S.Lewissaid:“Youcan’tseeanythingproperlywhileyour
eyesareblurredwithtears”—AGriefObserved,p.45‐46.
Shedidn’tthinkthatshehadanytearslefttocry,buteachtimethepictureofHimonthecrossflashedacrossher
mind,thetearsflowedalloveragain.Sorrowandgrieffilledherheart,anunwelcomereminderthatlifeisnotasit
shouldbe.Shewasgratefulnottobealoneatthismoment.Theywerebringingspicestothetomb,toanointHis
body.ItwasawhollyunwelcometaskthatremindedthemofthecruelrealitythatHewasgone,butonethatthey
undertooktogether.
Onefinallyspokeup—itwasnecessarytorollthestoneawaytogetaccesstothebody,butwhowoulddoit?In
theirmournfulstatetheyhadforgottentobringsomemenalong.Dustyearthgavewaytoplants,astheysetfoot
intheGardenthathousedHistomb.Itwasjustthenthattheysawit—thestonehadbeenrolledaway!Confusion
filledtheirminds—whathappened?DidsomeonestealHisbody?
Marystoodweepingoutsidethetomb,whentwoangelsinwhiteappeared,saying,“Woman,whyareyouweeping?”
Shereplied,“TheyhavetakenawaymyLord,andIdonotknowwheretheyhavelaidHim.”Sheturnedaroundand
sawJesus,althoughshedidn’tknow itwasHim. Hesaid toher,“Woman,whyareyouweeping? Whomareyou
seeking?”ShethoughtHewasthegardenerandsaid,“Sir,ifYouhavecarriedHimaway,tellMewhereYouhavelaid
Him,andIwilltakeHimaway.”
Page7
ItwasthenthatJesussaidtoher,“Mary.”Sheknewthatvoice!Itwasthevoicethatcastoutthesevendemons!It
wasthevoicethathadbeenthereforherwhenallothershaddesertedher!ItwasthevoiceofJesus!Shecriedout
inAramaic(probablyhernativetongue),“Rabboni!”whichmeans“Teacher.”
Hesaidtoher,“DonotclingtoMe,forIhavenotyetascendedtotheFather;butgotoMybrothersandsaytothem,
‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God”—John 20:17. Mary then went and
announcedJesus’resurrectiontothedisciples,aswellaseverythingHetoldher,saying,“IhaveseentheLord”—
John20:18.
OneofthehallmarksoftheChristianfaithisjoy.Joyisnotdependentuponcircumstances,butitisbirthedinhope
thattranscendsthisworldandconnectsustothenext.AndthejoyoftheLord,asNehemiahwrote,isourstrength
(Nehemiah8:10).Butweknowalltoowellthatjoyformostofusisbasedmoreonourmoodsandcircumstances
thannot. We longtobe joyous,butwhilewearestillonearth, joywillbehardtoholdontountilweare inthe
presenceoftheLordatwhoserighthandarepleasuresforevermore(Psalm116:11)andallofourtearsarewiped
away (Revelation 21:4). Wemay sorrow temporarily now, but His resurrection has guaranteed the daywhen
“deathshallbenomore,neithershalltherebemourning,norcrying,norpainanymore, forthe formerthingshave
passedaway."—Revelation21:4.Amen.
Page8
SmallGroupPreparationQuestionsJohn20:1‐18
OpenIt
1. Whatisonedarkmomentofyourlifethatendedhappily?
2. Whydopeoplevisitthegravesitesofclosefriendsandfamilymembers?
3. Aboutwhatsortofnewswouldyougetexcitedrightnow?
ExploreIt:ReadJohn20:1‐18
4. WhatdidMaryMagdalenediscoverwhenshewenttoJesus’tomb?(20:1)
5. WhatdidMaryMagdalenetellPeter?When?(20:2)
6. WhatdidMaryandthedisciplesdoafterseeingthatJesus’bodywasgone?(20:10‐11)
7. WhatdidMaryseewhereJesus’bodyhadbeen?(20:12)
8. WhatdidtheangelsaskMary?(20:13)
9. HowdidMaryanswertheangels’question?(20:13)
Page9
10. WhotriedtocomfortMary?(20:14‐15)
11. WhatquestiondidJesusaskMary?(20:15)
12. HowdidMaryrespondtoJesus’question?(20:15)
13. WhydidJesustellMarynottoholdontoHim?(20:17)
14. WhatdidJesustellMarytotellHisbrothers?(20:17)
GetIt
15. WhydoyouthinkMarywenttothetomb?
16. IfyouhadbeenMarywhatthoughtswouldhaverunthroughyourmindwhenyoudiscoveredtheemptytomb?
17. Howwouldyourespondifyoumetsomeoneyouhadpresumedtobedead?
18. HowdoyouthinkMaryfeltwhensherealizedshewastalkingtoJesus?
19. Whenisittemptingtoholdontosomethinggoodratherthanshareitwithothers?
Page10
20. Ifyouhadbeenoneof thediscipleswhohadheardMary’sexcitingnews,howdoyou thinkyouwouldhavereacted?
21. When has a positive happening in your life appeared at first to be a confusing, unfortunate, or tragicevent?
ApplyIt
22. Whattruthsofthegospeldoyouwanttoinvestigatemorecloselyoverthenextfewweeks?Howcanyou?
23. WhenhaveyoubeenexceptionallythrilledaboutyourrelationshipwithChrist?
24. Share3waysyoucanyoudemonstrateyourdevotiontoJesus?
25. WhomdoyouneedtotellabouttheemptytombofChrist?How?
Page11
Empty!Lesson2
StrengtheningourService
“Ontheeveningofthatday,thefirstdayoftheweek,thedoorsbeinglockedwherethediscipleswereforfearof
the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace bewith you.’WhenHe had said this,He
showedthemHishandsandHisside.Then thedisciplesweregladwhen theysawtheLord. Jesussaid to them
again, ‘Peacebewithyou.As theFatherhassentMe,evenso Iamsendingyou.’AndwhenHehadsaid this,He
breathedonthemandsaidtothem,‘ReceivetheHolySpirit.Ifyouforgivethesinsofany,theyareforgiventhem;
ifyouwithholdforgivenessfromany,itiswithheld.’"—John20:19‐23
Thewordswerestillechoingintheirminds,“He isnothere. Hehasrisen!” Whatcouldthatmean? Thewomen
reportedseeingHimalive,butitcouldn’tbetrue.PeterandJohnreportedthatthetombwasemptyandthegrave
clotheswerethere.MarytoldthemshehadseentheLordandthatJesustoldherthatHehadnotyetascendedto
GodtheFather.Confusionreigned.Howcouldamanrisefromthedead?Thatwasimpossible!
Theeventsofthelastthreedaysstillwereswirlingintheirminds.Everythingthattheyhadworkedforandhoped
forwaslostandburiedinthetomb.TheirLord,Master,andTeacherwasdead—orsotheythought.TheJewshad
finallymanaged toget toHim,andbecause theywereHisclosestassociates they thought theywerenext. They
neededtoprocessandfigurethingsout,sotheymetinthelastplacewheretheyhadbeentogetherwithJesus—the
upperroomwiththedoorslockedtight,justincasetheJewscamelookingforthem.
Thestenchofdeathhadbeensothickintheair,butwiththetestimonyofthewomenandtheemptygraveclothes,
thestirringsurgeoflifeandhopebegantobloom.Itwasthenthatoutofnowhere,Jesusappeared.Hesaid,“Peace
bewithyou.”Weretheyhallucinating?WasHeanapparition?Perhapsitwasavision?Theirquestionshungin
theair.ButJesus,noticingtheirastonishment,showedthemHishandsandHisside.Apparitionsandvisionsdidn’t
have flesh—much less bear the scars of torture Jesus had just gone through. ButHewas alive! HereHewas!
Standingrightinfrontofthem—alive!Feargavewaytojoyatthesightofthemarks,andHesaidtothemagain,
“Peacebewithyou.AstheFatherhassentMe,evensoIamsendingyou.”NotonlywasHealive,buthopewasalive!
Jesus’missionwasnotyetcomplete!Hewasthecomingone!HewasGod’sanointed!Slowlyeverythingbeganto
makesense—allofthethingsHehadtoldthemaboutHissufferinganddeathcametrue.IthadtohappenandHe
hadknownit!AndHestillhadataskforthem!AsGodtheFatherhadsentHim,nowHewassendingthem!
ThetaskthatJesushadforthediscipleswasadivineoneandrequireddivineresources:“AndwhenHehadsaid
this,Hebreathedonthemandsaidtothem,‘ReceivetheHolySpirit.Ifyouforgivethesinsofany,theyareforgiven
them; ifyouwithhold forgiveness fromany, it iswithheld.” Thedisciplesneededpower togoandspeak to the
nations,apowerthatcouldonlycomefromGod.TheyneededHisHolySpirittoequipthem,strengthenthem,give
Page12
themwisdom,discernmentandpower.JesuswasvictoriousandHiskingdomwouldberealized,butitwouldbe
uptothedisciples,equippedandfilledbytheHolySpirit,toproclaimit.
Weallneedthatpowertoserve.GodhaspromisedthatallwhocometoHiminfaithreceiveHisSpirit(Ephesians
1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:21‐22). It is the Spiritwho comforts (John 12:26; 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7), teaches (John
14:26; 1 Cor. 2:13), speaks (Acts 8:29; 13:2), makes decisions (Acts 15:28), grieves over sin (Ephesians 4:30),
overrules human actions (Acts 16:6‐7), searches the deep things of God and knows the thoughts of God (1
Corinthians 2:10‐11), distributes spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11), interprets and brings prayer before the
throneoftheFather(Romans8:26‐27),assuresbelieversoftheiradoptionasGod’schildren(Romans8:16),and
whobearswitnessandglorifiesChrist(John15:26;16:14).
WeknowthatasbelieverswehavetheSpiritofGod,butwearealsotobefilledwiththeSpirit(Ephesians5:18),
whichoccurswhenwe liveour lives inobedience toHimand take in the thingsofGod(e.g.., reading theWord,
praying,fellowshippingwiththesaintsofGod,worshipping,attendingchurch,etc.). Howaboutyou? Doesyour
serviceneedstrengthening? AskGodto fillyouwithHisSpiritanduseyouforHisglory. Thetasktoreachthe
worldwiththeloveofChristisimpossibletodobyourselves—weneedGod’sresourcestoaccomplishGod’stask
sothatHisnamemightreceivegloryandwemightreceivejoy.Amen.
Page13
SmallGroupPreparationQuestionsJohn20:19‐23
OpenIt
1. Whathideawaysdidyouhavewhenyouweregrowingup?
2. Whatfriendorrelativethatyouhaven’tseenforawhilewouldyoubeoverjoyedtoseeagain?
ExploreIt:ReadJohn20:19‐23
3. Whatdayoftheweekwasitwhenthedisciplesweretogether?(20:19)
4. Whydidthediscipleshavethedoorslocked?(20:19)
5. Whosurprisedthedisciplesintheirhideaway?(20:19)
6. WhatdidJesussaytothedisciples?When?(20:19)
7. WhatdidJesusshowHisdisciples?Why?(20:20)
8. HowdidthedisciplesrespondtoseeingJesus?(20:20)
9. WhatgreetingdidJesusrepeat?(20:21)
Page14
10. WhatdidJesustellHisdisciplesabouttheirfuture?(20:21)
11. WhydidJesusbreatheonHisdisciples?(20:22)
12. WhatdidJesustellthedisciplestoreceive?(20:22)
13. WhatdidJesustellHisdisciplesaboutforgivingsins?(20:23)
GetIt
14. WhenhaveyoubeenafraidtofollowJesusopenly?
15. Ifyouhadbeeninthatroomwiththedisciples,howmightyouhavereactedwhenJesusappeared?
16. Whenhaveyoubeenoverjoyedtoseesomeone?
17. TowhomhasJesussentus?
18. TowhomhasJesussentyou?
19. Whyisitimportantforustoforgiveothers?
Page15
20. Whenisitmostdifficultforyoutoforgive?
21. Whatcanwedotobecomeforgivingofothers?
ApplyIt
22. Whomdoyouneedtoforgive?
23. Whoseforgivenessdoyouneedtoseek?Howcanyou?
24. WithwhomdoyouwanttoshareyourjoyinChrist?
Page16
Empty!Lesson3
StopYourSecondGuessing
“ThenHesaidtoThomas,‘Putyourfingerhere;seeMyhands.ReachoutyourhandandputitintoMyside.Stop
doubtingandbelieve.”—John20:27(NIV)
Most know the storyof Thomas. Hewasoneof Jesus’ disciples, andpossibly themost famous skeptic in all of
history.Onedoesn’thavetobeascholartoknowwhenapersonisdead.Thomaswasatthecrucifixion.Hesaw
what theydid to Jesus. He sawHimbloodiedandbeaten—a far cry from the Jesusheknew. He saw thenails
poundedintobothHishands,HegrimacedwhenthenailwentthroughHisfeet.HesawHimstrippednakedand
heardHimcryoutthoseseventimesfromthecross,withthelastwords,“IntoYourhandsIcommitMySpirit.”He
sawtheheaddrop. Hesawthelife fadeaway. AndHesawthestaffpierceHisside. Bloodandwaterwerethe
signs of death. It didn’t take a doctor to know Jesus was gone. It is no wonder that Thomas doubted Jesus’
resurrection.
What brought insult to injurywas how the other ten could believe that Hewas alive. On the daywhen Jesus
appeared to the disciples in the upper room,Thomaswas absent. They kept going on aboutHis appearing and
speakingtothem,andtheyweren’talone.ThewomenmaintainedthattheyhadseenJesustoo.Theywereasking
himtobelieveintheirtestimony,buthecouldn’t.Therewasjusttoomuchevidencetothecontrary.Theonlyway
thathewouldbelieve is ifhesaw Jesushimself. Ifhecouldputhis fingers in thenailholes,and inHisside,he
wouldbelieve.
God is not afraid of our fears and doubts, provided that our fears and doubts aremeans of understanding and
growinginfaith.Therearesomewhodoubt,butnotbecausetheyaregenerallyseekingtounderstand,butrather
theyareseekinganopportunitytosin.NotThomas.Hisdoubtwassincereandhischallengewasreal.
Days passed and the disciples andwomenmaintained their testimony to Jesus’ resurrection,much to Thomas’
frustration.Nevertheless,helovedthemandstayedwiththem.Theywerebackintheupperroom,withthedoors
locked again, when Jesus came and stood among them saying, “Peace bewith you.” The thoughts swirled in
Thomas’mind—who is this? Jesuscouldn’tbealive…couldHe?” And then Jesussaid toThomas, “Putyour finger
here;seemyhands.Reachoutyourhandandputitintomyside.Stopdoubtingandbelieve.” Hegraciouslyoffered
Hishandsandsidetohimforhisinspection,andforThomas,itwasenough. Jesuswasrightinfrontofhimand
alive!Heexclaimed,“MyLordandmyGod!”Jesusthensaidtohim,“HaveyoubelievedbecauseyouhaveseenMe?
Blessedarethosewhohavenotseenandyethavebelieved”—John20:29.
Jesus’resurrectionputsastoptoallofoursecond‐guessing. Herosefromthedeadsothatwemighthavehope
andlifebothinthislife(John10:10),andintheonetocome(1Corinthians15:8). Mayourdoubtsmeltlikethe
snowinsummerandmayourheartsbeestablishedandstrengthenedlikethemajesticmountains.Mayourdoubts
fleeawayandmaywebecomeboldwitnessestothewondrousnameofourgreatGod.Amen.
Page17
SmallGroupPreparationQuestionsJohn20:24‐31
OpenIt
1. Whatbook(besidestheBible)haveyouenjoyedmost?
2. Whenhasdoubtsfilledyourlife?Howwereyouabletomovepastsuchthoughtsandfeelings?
ExploreIt:ReadJohn20:24‐31
3. WhatdisciplewasnotwiththeotherswhenJesusappearedtothem?(20:24)
4. WhathadtheotherdisciplestoldThomas?(20:24)
5. WhatdidThomassayheneededinordertobelievethatJesuswasraisedfromthedead?(20:25)
6. HowdidJesusrestoreThomas’sfaith?(20:26)
7. WhatdidJesussaytoThomas?(20:27)
8. WhatdidThomassayinresponsetoJesus’words?(20:28)
9. WhatdidJesussayaboutseeingandbelieving?(20:29)
10. WhatdidJohnleaveoutofhisGospel?(20:30)
Page18
11. WhywasthebookofJohnwritten?(20:31)
12. WhatresultsfrombelievingthatJesusistheSonofGod?(20:31)
GetIt
13. WhenhaveyouhaddoubtsaboutyourfaithinChrist?
14. HowshouldwedealwithourdoubtsaboutChristianity?
15. WhyisitdifficulttobelieveinChrist?
16. InwhatwaysdoweneedtotrustChrist?
17. OnwhatevidencedoyourelyforyourbeliefthatJesusrosefromthedead?
18. WhatsortofevidenceforthetruthofChristianityhasJohngivenus?
ApplyIt
19. WhatdoubtsconcerningyourfaithinChristwouldyoubewillingtosharewithothersinyourgroup?
20. HowcanyouusetheGospelofJohntotellothersaboutJesus?
Page19
Empty!Lesson4
SlayingourShame
“Whentheyhadfinishedbreakfast,JesussaidtoSimonPeter,‘Simon,sonofJohn,doyouloveMemorethanthese?’
HesaidtoHim,"Yes,Lord;YouknowthatI loveYou.’Hesaidtohim, ‘FeedMylambs.’ Hesaidtohimasecond
time, ‘Simon,sonofJohn,doyouloveMe?’HesaidtoHim, ‘Yes,Lord;YouknowthatI loveYou.’Hesaidtohim,‘TendMysheep.’Hesaidtohimthethirdtime,‘Simon,sonofJohn,doyouloveMe?’PeterwasgrievedbecauseHe
saidtohimthethirdtime,‘DoyouloveMe?’andhesaidtoHim,‘Lord,Youknoweverything;YouknowthatIlove
You.’Jesussaidtohim,‘FeedMysheep.’”—John21:15‐17
Guilt. Guiltisnotfun. Itimprisonsthesoul. ItkeepsthebelieverawayfrombeingeffectivefortheLord. Peter
knewguilt.HehadbeenoneofJesusstaunchestfollowers,declaringthatifeveryoneelseweretodesertJesus,he
wouldnot.AndevenifdeathitselfcameknockingatPeter’sdoor,hewouldgladlylaydownhislifeforJesus.
Petermade his declaration of loyalty to Jesus at the Last Supper, but itwas only a few short hours laterwhen
Peter’swordswould be tested. Betrayed by Judas and arrested, Jesuswas taken to the house of Caiaphas, the
Jewish high priest. Peter followed Jesus andmade hisway into the courtyard of Caiaphas’ home, towatch the
eventsunfoldfromwhatheperceivedtobeasafedistanceaway.Itwasatthemomentwhenhethoughthewas
safethattheunexpectedhappened. A lowlyservantgirlconfrontedPeter. SheaccusedhimofbeingwithJesus.
Afraid atwhatmighthappen tohim if discovered tobeoneof Jesus’ associates,Peter liedanddeniedknowing
Jesus. InanuncannydemonstrationofhowsindistancesusfromourSavior,Petermovedthistimeabitfurther
away. Peter sought to maintain his observer’s post from a safer distance. This time another servant girl
approaches.ConvincedthatPeterhadbeenwithJesus,shedeclaresaloudtothosestandingaround,“Thismanwas
withJesusofNazareth.”Unabletomoveanyfartheroutofthecourtyardwithoutleavingcompletely,Peteruttered
anoath,astatementsuretodissuadeanyfurtheraccusations,“Idonotknowtheman!”Appeasingthosestanding
by for a few moments, by keeping their doubts to themselves. However, his accent revealed his association!
(Matthew26:73)
Confrontedathirdtime,Petergavethemostemphaticdeclarationpossible,“Idonotknowtheman.”Itwasatthat
precisemoment,nosoonerhadthewordslefthis lips,aroostercrowed. Bewilderedatthesoundringinginhis
ears, he liftedhishead to see Jesus’ eyes staringbackathim. Jesus’words, still so fresh from just a fewhours
before,hunginhisearsandechoedthroughthedepthsofhissoul,“Beforetheroostercrowstoday,youwilldenyMe
threetimes”—Luke22:61b.
Denial. Desperation.Devastation.WhatwasPetertodo?AsthetearsstreakeddownPeter’sface,onecanonly
imaginethepainhefelt. Itwasinthismomentthatheknewhopeitselfwouldsoonbecrucified,butwouldGod
soonbeglorified?
Page20
Theresurrectionchangedeverything. Jesus roseagainconqueringsinanddeath. Hopewasalive forevermore!
CondemnationanddevastationfleeinthelightofChrist’sresurrection.
TheresurrectionenablesPetertohaverestoration.Threetimesofdenial,requiresthreetimesofbeingrestored,
“Doyou loveMe?” Peter replies, “Youknow I loveYouLord.” Jesusgivesgraceandapurpose, “FeedMy lambs.”
AgainJesusasksthequestion,“Simon,sonofJohn,doyouloveMe?”ThewoundofPeter’sguiltisfreshandpainful,
butthesalveof Jesus’resurrection isbeingappliedtothewound. Heresponds,“Yes,Lord;Youknowthat I love
You." Peter’sdenials revealedhimretreating,now Jesusquestionsshowguilt fleeing. Jesus responds, “TendMy
sheep.”
Jesusasksathirdandfinaltimethequestion,“Simon,sonofJohn,doyouloveMe?”Peter,grievedatJesus’question,
makesanewdeclaration,“Lord,Youknoweverything;YouknowthatI loveYou.” Threetimesasinnerandthree
timesrestored, thissainthasbeenset free fromhisprisonofpain,demolishingthegateofguiltwith thekeyof
grace.Peterhasbeensetfree,restoredtorightrelationship,andfreedfromguiltbygrace!
Howmanyinourworldtoday,dearbrotherorsister,areprisonersofpain,cementedintheirsin?Howmanyare
confinedbyguiltandneedtoberestoredtoarelationshiptotherisenSavior?Dearone,Jesushasgivenusthekey
ofgracetounlockthegateofguilt.WeneedonlyaskandHewillopen.Hewillsetusfree.ThosewhocometoHim
inaspiritofrepentance,Hewillbynomeanscastout.Hewillsetusfree(John8:32).Amen.
Page21
SmallGroupPreparationQuestionsJohn21:15‐25
OpenIt
1. Whendidyoueverhavetorestoreabrokenrelationship?
2. Discuss as a group an embarrassing moment you experienced? How were you able to get over theembarrassment?
ExploreIt:ReadJohn21:1‐25
3. WhatdidJesusaskPeterthreetimes?(21:15‐17)
4. WhatdidJesustellPetertodo?(21:15‐17)
5. HowdidPeterfeelafterJesushadaskedhimthesamequestionthreetimes?(21:17)
6. WhatdidJesuspredictaboutPeter’sfuture?(21:18‐19)
7. WhatcommanddidJesusgivetoPeter?(21:19)
8. WhatconcerndidPeterraise?(21:20‐21)
9. HowdidJesuswantPetertoserveHim?(21:22)
10. WhatrumorspreadastheresultofJesus’talkwithPeter?(21:23)
Page22
11. WhatdidJohndowiththetestimonyhehadconcerningJesus?(21:24)
12. HowmanyofJesus’deedsdidJohnleaveoutofhisGospel?(21:25)
GetIt
13. Whydoourfailuresleadtosuchtimesofhopelessness?WhatwasJesuswaytopullPeteroutofhistimeofdespair?
14. WhenhaveyouexperiencedtheforgivenessofJesusoveraparticularfailure?
15. InwhatwayscanweserveothersasPeterwascalledtodo?
16. InwhatuniquewayshaveyoubeengiftedtoserveGod?
17. Whatmightcauseustobemoreconcernedaboutsomeoneelse’srelationshipwithChristthanourown?
ApplyIt
18. HowcanyoufocusyourattentionsolelyonyourservicetoGodthisweek?
19. WhathappensifwefailtoliveoutGod’scallingtoserveasministersinthebodyofChrist?
20. Whyisourcallasbelieverstoserveoneanothersuchahugeparttoourfaith?