BROKEN VESSELS LifeWay

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1 BROKEN VESSELS 96

2 What is broken will be restored. Brokenness and pain. Unfortunately, both are universal in our experiences as human beings. We may have been hurt by a love that ended prematurely, by abandonment and isolation, by chronic illness or death, or by circumstances we bring on ourselves through our sin and failure but we all know what pain feels like. It feels like something has been broken inside us. It feels like we are broken. Like clay jars, we re fragile. We can be easily broken but we don t have to remain broken vessels. We re never beyond the healing and redeeming power of God. In the face of failure, God responds with restoration. In spite of our shortcomings, God will work in and through us. In the midst of our circumstances, God will help us endure. Yet God doesn t stop there! He uses us to speak into the lives of other broken vessels. He uses our experiences with His grace and power to comfort others. He desires to use us to help our neighbors and loved ones encounter the God who brings hope and restoration. Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us (2 Cor. 4:7). We are broken vessels, but this great treasure the good news of Jesus Christ shines through our brokenness. And that s a truth worth celebrating. DANIEL IM Daniel is the Director of Church Multiplication for LifeWay and NewChurches.com. He is the co-author of Planting Missional Churches: Your Guide to Starting Churches that Multiply and blogs at Danielim.com. Daniel serves as a Teaching Pastor at The Fellowship in Nashville. He is married to Christina, and they have three children. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 97

3 Broken Vessels Session 1 A Fresh Start John 18:15-18,25-27; 21:15-19 Session 2 Objections Overruled Exodus 3:11-12; 4:10-17 Session 3 The Gift of Grace 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Session 4 A Channel of Comfort 2 Corinthians 1:2-7 Session 5 A Passion to Share the Gospel 2 Corinthians 5:11,14-21 Session 6 Right Here, Right Now Mark 5:1-2,8-15,18-20 Find additional tools and resources to support this study, all available online at BibleStudiesForLife.com/AdultExtra. 98 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

4 SESSION 1 A FRESH START The Point We fail; Jesus restores. The Passage John 18:15-18,25-27; 21:15-19 The Bible Meets Life Making a mess in the kitchen is one thing. Making a mess of life is quite another. I can clean the kitchen to the point you d never know I was in there. But when I make a mess of my life, I can t just wipe away the evidence or the consequences. Have you ever found yourself at rock bottom? It may have been because of an inappropriate relationship, a string of lies, or a temptation or habit that seemed to gradually take over everything in life. At that moment, you stand at a crossroad. Do you continue down the road you re on, continuing to repeat the mistakes because the pain of changing seems greater than the pain of remaining the same? Or do you look to Jesus for a way out? Peter, one of Jesus closest disciples, knew what it meant to mess up. He failed in a big way. But Peter s story also offers us encouragement and points us to the way out a fresh start in Jesus Christ. The Setting The initial events of this sessions focal verses occurred on the night before Jesus crucifixion, at the high priest s residence in Jerusalem after Jesus arrest. The latter events took place after Jesus resurrection (perhaps a couple weeks later). After the Festivals of Passover and of Unleavened Bread, Jesus disciples left Jerusalem and returned to Galilee. One morning on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias (Sea of Galilee), Jesus appeared to seven of His disciples while they were fishing. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 99

5 What does the Bible say? John 18:15-18,25-27; 21:15-19 Charcoal fire (v. 18) The only other mention of this specific type of fire in the New Testament occurs when Jesus built a charcoal fire in John 21:9. He did so right before asking the questions recorded in 21:15-19, which strengthens the connection between Peter s failure and his restoration. 18:15 Simon Peter was following Jesus, as was another disciple. That disciple was an acquaintance of the high priest; so he went with Jesus into the high priest s courtyard. 16 But Peter remained standing outside by the door. So the other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the girl who was the doorkeeper and brought Peter in. 17 Then the servant girl who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, You aren t one of this man s disciples too, are you? I am not, he said. 18 Now the servants and the officials had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold. They were standing there warming themselves, and Peter was standing with them, warming himself. 18:25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, You aren t one of his disciples too, are you? He denied it and said, I am not. 26 One of the high priest s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, Didn t I see you with him in the garden? 27 Peter denied it again. Immediately a rooster crowed. 21:15 When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? Yes, Lord, he said to him, you know that I love you. Feed my lambs, he told him. 16 A second time he asked him, Simon, son of John, do you love me? Yes, Lord, he said to him, you know that I love you. Shepherd my sheep, he told him. 17 He asked him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love me? Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, Do you love me? He said, Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you. Feed my sheep, Jesus said. 18 Truly I tell you, when you were younger, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don t want to go. 19 He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, Follow me. 100 SeSSion 1

6 THE POINT We fail; Jesus restores. GET INTO THE STUDY LEADER PACK: Display Pack Item 8, Broken Vessels, to introduce the major theme of this study, along with the specific focus of each session. 5 minutes Notes DISCUSS: Question #1 on page 81 of the PSG (Personal Study Guide): When have you really enjoyed making a mess? GUIDE: Direct group members to The Bible Meets Life on page 82 of the PSG. Introduce the topic of personal failure by reading or summarizing the text or by encouraging group members to read on their own. ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Give your group members a small taste of failure by challenging them to accomplish one or more of these feats: > > > > > > > > Rub your stomach with one hand and pat your head with the other. While moving your right foot in a clockwise circle, use the index finger of your right hand to draw the number 6 without your foot changing direction. Touch your tongue to your nose. Wiggle your ears. Note: A few group members may be successful at attempting these challenges, and you can celebrate them accordingly. But encourage the rest to think about what it feels like to fall short of a mark. GUIDE: Call attention to The Point on page 82 of the PSG: We fail; Jesus restores. PRAY: Transition into the discussion by confessing that all people fail, including yourself. Pray that you and your group members will experience hope as you explore how Jesus handled Peter s failure in the Gospel of John. Want to know about biblical culture, people, archaeology, and history? Biblical Illustrator has articles that tie to each session in this study at lifeway.com/bi. TIP: When helpful, use this Notes column to record additional discussion questions, concepts, and activities that connect the study content with your specific group. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 101

7 15 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes John 18:15-18, Simon Peter was following Jesus, as was another disciple. That disciple was an acquaintance of the high priest; so he went with Jesus into the high priest s courtyard. 16 But Peter remained standing outside by the door. So the other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the girl who was the doorkeeper and brought Peter in. 17 Then the servant girl who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, You aren t one of this man s disciples too, are you? I am not, he said. 18 Now the servants and the officials had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold. They were standing there warming themselves, and Peter was standing with them, warming himself. 25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, You aren t one of his disciples too, are you? He denied it and said, I am not. 26 One of the high priest s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, Didn t I see you with him in the garden? 27 Peter denied it again. Immediately a rooster crowed. READ: John 18:15-18,25-27 on page 83 of the PSG. Read the text out loud or ask a volunteer to do so. ALTERNATE QUESTION: What are our options when we fail as big as Peter did? GUIDE: Encourage group members to read the two paragraphs after the Scripture text on page 83 of the PSG in order to gain some additional perspective on Peter s experiences prior to this denial. DISCUSS: Question #2 on page 83 of the PSG: What emotions would you have experienced in Peter s situation? RECAP: Read aloud the fourth paragraph on page 84 of the PSG: Maybe we re not so different from Peter after all. We ve all been in circumstances where we gave in to fear or succumbed to the crowd. We may not have denied Jesus as overtly as Peter did, but we ve had our own moments when we tried to hide our relationship with Him. DISCUSS: Question #3 on page 84 of the PSG: What factors may cause us to shrink back from identifying with Christ? 102 SeSSion 1

8 THE POINT We fail; Jesus restores. John 18:15-18,25-27 Commentary Even followers of Jesus still falter and fail. [Verses 15-16] Simon Peter and another disciple had followed those who arrested Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. The identity of this other disciple is unknown, although most scholars believe it was John, the son of Zebedee. The high priest knew this disciple. The word acquaintance could refer to a relative, a close friend, or it could simply mean a person who was not a stranger. Some have suggested John was from a priestly family line, thus he would have actually been a distant relative of the high priest. Whatever the case, his identity was such that he had access to a secure property. Thus he followed Jesus and the arresting party into the courtyard of the building. Once inside the courtyard, this disciple spoke to the servant girl who was the doorkeeper and gained entry for Simon Peter. [Verse 17] The other disciple may have been known as a follower of Jesus. Perhaps the servant girl knew this, which may have prompted her words to his friend. As Peter entered the courtyard, the doorkeeper may have been shocked and surprised that anyone who knew Jesus would be there. She asked, You aren t one of this man s disciples too, are you? Some suggest the sentence structure of her question expected a negative response, so the meaning of the sentence was something along the lines of Not you too? Peter responded: I am not. This was his first denial. [Verse 18] The servants and officials had made a charcoal fire in the courtyard to ward off the chill and were warming themselves around the fire. (John will mention a charcoal fire again in 21:9). Apparently it didn t bother Peter to be in the same part of the courtyard with these authorities, some of whom undoubtedly had arrested Jesus. In fact, Peter joined them around the fire as he attempted to warm himself. [Verse 25] While Jesus was being questioned inside the house (see John 18:19 24), Peter faced an interrogation of his own. First, some of those who were also huddled around the fire repeated the question Peter had heard earlier. Again the question expected a negative response You aren t one of his disciples too, are you? Peter again denied it. [Verse 26] Another person joined in. John noted this questioner was a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off. Earlier that night in the garden of Gethsemane, Peter had used a sword to defend Jesus when the soldiers arrived to arrest his Lord. He had cut off the ear of the high priest s servant. With his question, Didn t I see you with him in the garden? the man indicated he had been part of the arresting party and had seen Peter wielding a sword to protect his Master. [Verse 27] In response to this third question about his loyalty, Peter denied it again. This happened just as Jesus had predicted (see Matt. 26:31 34). Despite Peter s earlier assertion of his devotion even to death (see v. 35), three times that night he denied being a follower of Jesus. Immediately after his third denial, a rooster crowed. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 103

9 10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes John 21: When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? Yes, Lord, he said to him, you know that I love you. Feed my lambs, he told him. DO: Direct group members to complete the activity When I Fail on page 85 of the PSG. If time permits, encourage volunteers to share how their relationship with Jesus has helped them move on from failures in the past. How do you typically respond after a failure or big mistake? Check the statement (or statements) that apply, or write out your own. When I fail I get angry. I become depressed. I don t let it bother me. I try to make sure no one saw what happened. I try to learn from what happened. Other: How has your relationship with Jesus helped you move on from failure in the past? READ: John 21:15-19 on page 86 of the PSG. GUIDE: Encourage group members to read the final two paragraphs on page 86 of the PSG in order to gain a better understanding of the nuanced way Peter and Jesus used the word love in these verses. DISCUSS: Question #4 on page 86 of the PSG: When have you seen God bring restoration to a seemingly hopeless situation? Note: This can be a situation that group members witnessed up close, or it can be something group members observed from a distance. Either way, the goal is to allow group members to share stories of moments that mirror or connect with Peter s failure being redeemed. 104 SeSSion 1

10 THE POINT We fail; Jesus restores. John 21:15-19 Commentary Jesus restores. [Verse 15] Peter had witnessed the risen Christ on at least a couple of occasions during the days after the resurrection (see Luke 24:33,36 49; 1 Cor. 15:5,7). Like the other remaining disciples, he seemed unsure what to do with his life from that point forward. So one night Peter and six other disciples decided to go fishing (see John 21:1 3). Fishing had given them a livelihood and a purpose before they first met Jesus. But as they fished that night they caught nothing until early in the morning when a man on the shore told them to cast their nets again. The catch of fish was incredibly large. After realizing the identity of the man, Peter jumped into the water and swam to the shore to see Jesus again (see vv. 4 14). After the disciples enjoyed a breakfast of bread and fish, Jesus asked Peter: Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? How Jesus addressed Peter was as significant as the question He asked. Simon was his given name; Peter was the name Jesus had given him on their first meeting (see 1:42). Peter means rock, but that s not how Jesus referred to him on this occasion. On that earlier cold, dark night in the courtyard, Peter had demonstrated his loyalty was not as solid as he had professed. Without mentioning Peter s failure, Jesus confronted its reality simply by how He addressed this disciple. Simon. With each question, the Lord confronted Peter about his true loyalty. Jesus first asked him, Do you love me more than these? To what or whom was Jesus referring when he mentioned these? Certainly Jesus could have pointed to the boat and miraculous catch of fish, wanting to know if Peter loved Him more than he loved fishing. However, it s more likely Jesus asked whether Peter s love for Him was greater than that of the other disciples. Peter had once brashly proclaimed a commitment to Christ greater than that of all the other disciples (see Mark 14:29). In response, Peter replied, Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. Despite Peter s failure, he was certain Jesus knew his love for the Lord was genuine. Yet he was no longer willing to assert he was better than the other disciples. It seems Peter had learned at least not to compare his commitment with that of others. Jesus reply to Peter was a simple statement: Feed my lambs. Jesus had declared Himself as the good shepherd (John 10:11,14). He is the One who directs, protects, provides, heals, and more. During His ministry, Jesus did this for the people of His flock. The disciples witnessed His actions and even participated with Jesus in caring for people. Thus with His words Jesus commissioned Peter to assume the responsibility of leadership for this task. In addition to his call to do the work of evangelism (see Matt. 4:19), Peter was being called to do the work of a pastor in caring for the flock. The tense of the verb translated feed refers to an ongoing action. This was not to be a one-time action after which Peter would move on to another (perhaps more exciting) task. It would require more than confident words from a bold leader. It would also require patience and care from a humble servant toward those who are young and vulnerable. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 105

11 10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes John 21:15-19 (continued) 16 A second time he asked him, Simon, son of John, do you love me? Yes, Lord, he said to him, you know that I love you. Shepherd my sheep, he told him. 17 He asked him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love me? Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, Do you love me? He said, Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you. Feed my sheep, Jesus said. 18 Truly I tell you, when you were younger, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don t want to go. 19 He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. After saying this, he told him, Follow me. RECAP: Read aloud the final two paragraphs on page 87 of the PSG in order to highlight the importance of restoration as part of God s plan for broken people and how we as broken people can participate in that plan: I like how the apostle Paul described this phenomenon: He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God (2 Cor. 1:4). Whatever our past sins and failures however we might have denied Christ He forgives. He restores. And He chooses to work through us for His glory. ALTERNATE QUESTION: How does the story of Peter s second chance offer hope to us? DISCUSS: Question #5 on page 87 of the PSG: How can our group be a safe place that helps others experience restoration? Note: Another way to approach this concept would be to ask: What practices or attitudes should our group avoid in order to be a safe place that helps others experience restoration? ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Offer a time for group members to confess their sins if they choose to do so. Emphasize that participation is strictly voluntary. Acknowledge that this practice may be uncomfortable for some, but it can also be very helpful for people who need a way to turn from their sins and seek restoration. GUIDE: Refer back to The Point for this session: We fail; Jesus restores. 106 SeSSion 1

12 THE POINT We fail; Jesus restores. John 21:15-19 Commentary (continued) [Verse 16] A second time Jesus posed an almost identical question to Simon, son of John. This time, however, Jesus didn t reference any other persons or things in inquiring about the disciple s love. And a second time Peter made the same response, acknowledging Jesus knew the extent of Peter s love. Once again Jesus instructed Peter on what he was to do: Shepherd my sheep. As before, the emphasis was on Christ s flock those who would believe in Jesus and follow Him as their Lord and Savior. The slight difference in wording could have referred to the broader task Peter would undertake of teaching and guiding those who were beyond the first steps of discipleship. Or the variation in Jesus words may simply have been stated for emphasis. [Verse 17] Jesus continued to probe Peter s heart by asking the same question the third time. Rather than noting Peter s immediate reply, John first recorded that Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, Do you love me? Also for the third time, Peter professed his love for Jesus. But his response this time also added a new statement: Lord, you know everything. Peter acknowledged that Jesus is omniscient (all-knowing) because He is God. Jesus can see into people s hearts, including Peter s. He knows our most intimate thoughts, feelings, and loyalties. In response, Jesus once again called Peter to a specific task: Feed my sheep. This pastoral commission apparently took hold in Peter s life. Years later he noted church elders (leaders) were responsible to Shepherd God s flock (1 Pet. 5:2), which is what Peter had done throughout his ministry. [Verse 18] Jesus went on to elaborate on Peter s future, including the end of his ministry. The Lord first noted the freedom Peter had experienced as a younger man: you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when Peter embraced Christ s commission, his life would change. Eventually ( when you grow old ) Peter s experience would be different: You will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don t want to go. This could be a reference to being put into chains or to being nailed on a cross Peter experienced both in his ministry, being imprisoned for preaching the gospel and eventually being martyred in Rome during Emperor Nero s persecution of Christians in the mid-60s. [Verse 19] John wrote that Jesus spoke these words to relate what kind of death Peter would suffer. Jesus words to Peter not only indicated that Peter would die for his Lord, but also signified how he would die. As stated above, tradition holds Peter was crucified in Rome. What Peter boldly proclaimed on the night before Jesus crucifixion, I will lay down my life for you (John 13:37), would come about in the future. John also noted that Peter s death would glorify God. Several times, Jesus equated His death with His or His Father s glorification (see 12:23,27 28; 13:31 32; 17:1). Like his Lord, Peter s willingness to follow the will of God, even unto death, would also bring glory to God. Jesus closing words in this section, Follow me, were a repetition of some of the first words He d spoken to Peter when calling him to be His disciple (see Matt. 4:19). In this context, however, Peter had a greater understanding of the meaning of Jesus command. The disciple would be following Jesus not only to learn from Him, but also to die like Him. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 107

13 5 minutes LIVE IT OUT Notes GUIDE: Direct group members to page 88 of the PSG. Encourage them to consider > > Remember. Look back to a period of your life marked by sin. Thank God for His forgiveness and consider the ways that He has brought restoration to your life. > > Memorize. Memorize Psalm 139: Pray this on a regular basis to keep short accounts between yourself and God. And when a circumstance or sin arises in your life for which you need to ask God s forgiveness, do so. > > Write. Write a letter of forgiveness to someone who has hurt you. Whether or not you give this letter to the person, the writing process can help you express forgiveness and fully forgive that person just as Jesus has fully forgiven you. Wrap It Up TRANSITION: Read or restate the Conclusion from page 88 of the PSG: Yes, you ve messed up. But God s grace is so deep and His love is so wide that He will always restore you when you come to Him in repentance. Your sin your denial of Jesus is not the end of the road. Christ offers a fresh start. PRAY: Conclude by praising God for the opportunity to see restoration in your own life and in the lives of others. Pray again that your group will be a safe place for people to find healing and hope as they seek God s will. Get expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid. MinistryGrid.com/web/BibleStudiesForLife 108 SeSSion 1