Love and Serve

Matt Williams | Dec 17, 2023 | Watch in español

Study Guide

In this passage, Jesus mirrors Peter’s three denials with three questions, three affirmations of love, and three affirmations of work to be done. We can take great encouragement from Peter’s story that even in the wake of great failure, we can follow Jesus and serve him in love.
Application

  1. Peter’s failure undoubtedly brought shame and guilt. Yet Jesus forgives and restores him. Reflect on a time when you had difficulty moving forward after a personal failure. What does it mean to walk in Jesus’ forgiveness—to trust in his mercy and kindness?

  2. Everyone who loves and follows Jesus is called to serve him, which means caring for others. In what ways are you engaged with and caring for God’s people? How do you need to grow in this area?

Key Points

  • Jesus engages Peter around his failure, acknowledging his pain while restoring Peter and mobilizing him to serve.

  • Like Peter, we must be willing to humble ourselves and trust Jesus’ ability to forgive us. We cannot forgive ourselves—we can only learn to receive forgiveness from God.

  • We all suffer and prosper in unique ways. We cannot compare our journey to someone else’s.

  • Jesus is returning for his people. He’s created an opportunity for us to enter his story and be part of the flow of what he is doing to advance his Kingdom.

Other Scripture References

John 13:37–38

Scripture: John 21:1-25