67.

Winning the souls of guilty and backsliding disciples

John 21:1-14

  • Session: 67
  • Week: 10
  • Day: 6
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Introduction

In this session, Chapter 21: 1-14, we focus on the third post-Resurrection meeting Jesus had with his disciples 21: 13. Jesus appeared to the 7 of the 11 disciples by the sea shore and encouraged them to return to himself. The catching of the 153, fish by his word to the discouraged disciples, and giving them the breakfast served as experiences of winning their souls to himself and his Lordship… ‘They knew it was the lord 21:12.

Objectives

By the end of this session, the learner will have:

  • Understood about the principles of reinstating the fallen disciples back to His lordship and his delight
  • Challenged that when a leader goes back fishing, he pulls others with himself, even those who were not initially fishermen
  • Appreciated the Lord’s love and tack to the backslidden disciples

Outline

  • Jesus’ third post- Resurrection visit
  • Peter leads other non fishermen back to fishing
  • Reinstating others through love.

Group Study Time

John 21:1-14

Connecting

  • Gather with two or more people for a community discovery bible study session.
  • Start with a heartfelt prayer, inviting God to guide and bless your understanding.
  • Explore the passage by reading it at least twice, using different Bible versions if available, then retell the story together as a group.
  • Reflect and share the challenges and blessings you experienced from the previous study.

Comprehending

  • Read John 21: 1-3, identify the disciples listed here. Where were they found by Jesus? Why were they here at that this time? Describe what they were going through emotionally. Why did they not catch anything all night?
  • Read John 21: 4-14. Write down at least 4 ways Jesus connected with them?
  • When was the last time Peter met Jesus? Remind yourself what was going on during Peter’s last encounter with Jesus.

Committing

  • Engage with the Bible—read, study, memorize, meditate, pray, listen, and live it out.
  • List three lessons you have learnt as an agent of change that you would like to put into practice and teach others about.
  • Take time and worship Jesus with the attributes revealed about Christ.
  • Use the SPACEPETS model, to assist you in putting God’s word into practice. Look for:
    • Sin to confess
    • Promise to claim
    • Attitude to change
    • Command to keep
    • Error to change
    • Prayer to make
    • Example to copy
    • Truth to obey and
    • Something praiseworthy

Communicating

  • Identify one person you can connect with and share the valuable insights and lessons you gained from this session.
  • Reach out to a new believer—either in person or by phone—and pray with them to support them through their challenges, including any concerns about attending church.
  • Create a new group and guide others through this study to help them grow in their understanding.

Post Lesson Teaching Summary

Great job completing the study! Take a moment to listen to this summary to reinforce your group’s understanding of the text and ensure you’re all on the same page. We’re here to support your learning journey!

Winning the souls of guilty and backsliding disciples

John 21:1-14

John 21:1-14

  • Context:
    • John teaches belief dynamics; this 67th session (March 13, 2025) is the second-to-last in John, focusing on Jesus winning guilty, backslidden disciples post-resurrection.
    • Third public meeting with disciples (after Mary Magdalene, Emmaus disciples, and a private meeting with Peter), set in Galilee over a week after resurrection (John 20).
  • Peter’s Backsliding:
    • Jesus instructed via Mary, “Meet me in Galilee” (John 20:17); disciples obeyed, leaving Jerusalem’s fear behind, but Jesus delayed, not appearing quickly.
    • Peter, waiting in Galilee, returned to fishing—leading six of eleven disciples (seven total)—indicating discouragement or guilt unresolved despite prior encounters.
  • Jesus’ Appearance (John 21:1-14):
    • After a fruitless night of fishing, Jesus appeared at dawn by the Sea of Tiberias, calling, “Children, have you caught anything?”—they answered, “No.”
    • Directed them to cast nets on the right, yielding 153 fish without breaking nets; John recognized Jesus, Peter swam to shore, finding Jesus with a fire and breakfast.
  • Peter’s Guilt:
    • Peter’s guilt stemmed from denying Jesus thrice at a fire (John 18:15-27), persisting despite Jesus’ resurrection appearances and the Holy Spirit’s gift (John 20:22).
    • Guilt—feeling short of God’s standards—drove Peter’s uncertainty and return to fishing, even after personal restoration.
  • Jesus’ Restoration:
    • Jesus reinstated Peter with love, not rebuke:
      1. Visited: Met them at their point of failure (fishing).
      2. Provided: Gave fish and prepared breakfast, echoing provision.
      3. Fire Symbolism: Recreated the denial scene (fire) as a friend, not foe, to heal guilt and restore joy.
    • Eating together signified renewed friendship, countering Peter’s fear and shame.
  • Application:
    • Jesus seeks guilty, backslidden disciples with love, using familiar settings (fire) to redeem past failures, restoring them to serve with joy, not defeat.