Afterwards

Bible passage: John 21:1-22

Can you think of any experiences of ‘anti-climax’? Any examples in your life?
(e.g. gearing up for a big event that turned out less than you anticipated? Getting so excited about something and then feeling flat afterwards?)

What were your emotions at such moments?
How do you cope with the ‘afterwards...’ moments in life?

(Read John 21:1-3)
What in these verses suggests that the disciples were going through a negative frame of mind, in these days after Jesus rising?

Matthew 28:7 tells us that Jesus had given them a promise, which, so far they had not seen fulfilled. How do you think they were feeling? How do you cope with times of waiting?
How many disciples went out fishing? Where were the other four?
They were probably not even all fishermen by trade (e.g. Nathanael)
At such moments there are dangerous questions a Christian may be tempted to ask:

(1) What am I missing?

How would you interpret Peter’s words in v3, ’I’m going out to fish.’?
Are they simply an everyday suggestion for an activity for the day?
What suggests they were not, is that the Greek verb used to convey what Peter said was 'hupago', a word that literally means, ’I retire’. That is, Peter it seems, was on the verge of quitting being a preacher, to go back to what he knew best, fishing.

Why do you think he may have felt like that, when he knew that Jesus had risen? What secret sense of failure was Peter carrying around in his memory which the others knew nothing about? (Luke 22:61-2) How may that have contributed to the way Peter was feeling, and why do you think it affected the other disciples with him? How may this apply to us?
Why do we have a tendency to look back to our former way of life, perhaps with nostalgia, when the going gets tough? Where is your ‘comfort zone’ in your past? Is it realistic to think things would be better, even if you were able to go back, as Peter did here?

What happened after Peter, the expert fishermen, did what he thought would restore the life he had once enjoyed?
Is this saying, that once we have set out to follow Jesus, theres a sense in which we cannot go back to the life we once knew, because we are fundamentally different from who we once were? How do you feel about that?

(2)What’s in it for me?

The minute we start asking ourselves, ’What’s in it for me in following Jesus?’, we are in great danger. Of course the gospel invitations and promises evoke a desire in us, awaken our sense of need, but unless our discipleship is motivated by a response of love for all that Jesus has done for us, then all our service will be self-seeking and for our kingdom in this world, and not for the kingdom of heaven.
How Jesus centred or self centred is your discipleship? Who is seated on the throne of your heart?
(Read John 21:4-17)
John (‘the one Jesus loved’) and Peter almost seem in competition with one another in some of the Easter accounts! John won the race to the empty tomb (20:4), Peter wins the race to get to Jesus on the shore!
How do you think Jesus feels when he sees such enthusiasm in us for Him? Do you have that passion?
Jesus serves them breakfast. Do you think this was a rowdy celebration meal or do you think the issues that were under the surface for the disciples would have made this a very quiet, reflective meal, what were the feelings of everyone?
After the meal, Jesus asks Peter the big question for all his followers. Put your name in place of Peter’s and feel the force:

_____ do you truly love me? The Greek word used by Jesus for love, is 'agape', indicating the strongest, selfless kind of love that God has for us.
Jesus question is also ambiguous, ’..more than these?', he asks.
More than fishing (work), more than the other disciples (Peter had boasted this Matthew 26:33)

Each time, Peter replies, ’Yes, Lord, you know that I love you’. The Greek word used by Peter is 'phileo'. I love you as a brother, he is saying to Jesus. He is not returning the same intensity of love back to Jesus

Finally, Jesus simply asks Peter, ’Do you love me?' Jesus uses simply the 'phileo' word. Why do you think this hurt or touched Peter so much? Does it similarly challenge you and how? What is special about Peter’s final reply (v17)?

(3)What about him? (her?)

(Read John 21:18-23)

It is tempting to compare your lot with others who are following God, when things are tough and you feel like quitting.
We have already thought about a possible competitive spark between Peter and John, and that sense of feeling hard done to compared with John, comes out here after Jesus has described what the future holds for Peter. Can you identify with this tendency in Peter?
John had his race to run, Peter had his, and we have ours.
How is Hebrews 12:1-3, such a helpful passage when we feel tempted to feel sorry for ourselves or envy other people’s gifts, ministries or lives?

‘Afterwards...’ What are we to focus on?