
Follow along with Sunday’s sermon, or access discussion questions based on the message for your small group.
On weeks with guest speakers or special events, message notes and small group questions may not be available.
Series: Gospel of John
Title: The Comeback
Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
John 21:1-6
Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
John 21:7-14
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
John 21:15-19
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
1 John 4:10
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
John 21:20-23
20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
John 21:24-25
24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. 25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

SHARE
Share an achievement that was significant to you at one time but seems insignificant now?
HERE FISHY-FISHY
Read John 21:1-6.... Q: Why do you think God invites us to participate in the work rather than doing everything for us? Why would the disciples obey a stranger’s instruction to cast their net on the other side of the boat? How do you distinguish between acting on logic alone and responding in faith to God’s direction? Share with the group a time when obedience to God did not seem logical at first but you did it anyway. What might the miraculous catch of fish teach us about God’s mission for His people?
GO SWIMMING
Read John 21:7-14....Discuss: A time you were willing to look foolish because of something—or Someone—you deeply loved. Q: Why was Peter willing to jump into the water instead of waiting for the boat? What does Peter’s response reveal about love, eagerness, and relationship with Jesus?
NO COMPARISON
Read John 21:20-23....Q: Are you a justice person? How worried are you about “fairness?” What does Peter’s immediate question about John reveal about our tendency to compare our assignment with others? How can comparison distract us from the assignment God has given us? What are some practical ways to stay focused on your calling instead of comparing yourself to others?
PRAYER
Pray together that we would really “live-out” the truth that Jesus’ love & forgiveness is not based on our performance. Give thanks to God for that!