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Ø Questions marked with this symbol are particularly recommended for group discussion. Group leaders may add other discussion questions, or substitute other questions for the marked ones, at their discretion.
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"The triple question: 'Do you love me?'”
Friday, 22 September 2017
John 21:15 After breakfast, Yeshua said to Shim‘on Kefa, “Shim‘on Bar-Yochanan, do you love me more than these?” He replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I’m your friend.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A second time he said to him, “Shim‘on Bar-Yochanan, do you love me?” He replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I’m your friend.” He said to him, “Shepherd my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Shim‘on Bar-Yochanan, are you my friend?” Shim‘on was hurt that he questioned him a third time: “Are you my friend?” So he replied, “Lord, you know everything! You know I’m your friend!” Yeshua said to him, “Feed my sheep! 18 Yes, indeed! I tell you, when you were younger, you put on your clothes and went where you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 He said this to indicate the kind of death by which Kefa would bring glory to God. Then Yeshua said to him, “Follow me!”
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Three times Peter denied knowing Jesus. His heart must have been aching, eager to reconnect. Jesus, a master psychologist, didn’t want that failure to haunt Peter forever. Three times, he allowed Peter to affirm his love, deeper and more solid because Jesus forgave him after he failed. Then Jesus told him that he would yet have the chance to live out his pledge in John 13:37 (“I’ll give up my life for you”). With the cost of following clearly in view, Jesus repeated the same simple, sweeping call: “Follow me.”
• Scholar N. T. Wright said, “The three questions correspond to Peter’s three denials. Three for completeness, yes, but three also for reminder. The smell of the charcoal fire lingers. Peter’s night of agony—and Jesus’ own night of agony—returns. But because of the latter, the former can be dealt with.” * What failures might haunt your relationship with Jesus? Imagine yourself on that beach with him, by that fire. Hear Jesus ask you, “______, do you love me?” Answer, three times, and hear Jesus deal with any barriers that separate you. Ø There have been (and are today) brave martyrs, but most Christ-followers through the ages have not had to die for their faith. Jesus calls us all to “die” to ways of understanding life and faith that do not fit with his life and example. How eager or reluctant are you to follow Jesus into changed thoughts and habits that show God’s glory to those around you? How can you and God make the most of each day of the rest of your life?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, “Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee.” I recite John Wesley’s words at church. Please help me to mean them. Amen.
* N. T. Wright, John for Everyone, part 2. (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2004, p. 164.)
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Darren Lippe
Darren Lippe helps facilitate Journey 101 “Loving God” classes, guides a 7th-grade Sunday school class, is a member of a small group and a men’s group, and serves on the curriculum team.
As we consider one of my favorite scenes from the Gospels, I thought we might “visit” with Mr. Samuel Mores, of Camping World - “Life is meant to be in tents!”
DL: So, Sam what stands out you in this scene?
S. Mores: First off by using charcoal, Jesus deftly avoided the great campfire controversy that caused the schism of 1848: Do you put the logs of your campfire in the Teepee formation or in the square Log Cabin configuration? Of course there are those who build a Teepee inside the Log Cabin, but they are considered heretics.
DL: Heretics? Ouch. That sounds harsh, like they would be burned at the stake.
S. Mores: No -just served burnt steak. Anyway, I also love this passage because of the beautiful image of Jesus building a campfire & preparing breakfast for His dearest companions. This isn’t like the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. This is just the very human Jesus personally serving His friends.
You know, theologians always point to Jesus washing the feet of His Disciples as the ultimate act of agape love. However, I would submit that anyone who has been on a cold-weather campout would contend that the person who starts the morning campfire for breakfast, like Jesus did here, is another great example of servant leadership. As it is written in the Book of La Tentations 2:13, “Verily, he who builds a fire early in the morn, is among the greatest ever to be born.” Now, why do you like this passage?
DL: It is so peaceful. The unfathomable crescendo of stress/strain that culminated in the Last Supper, Arrest, Trial, & Crucifixion is now brought into perspective by the absolute joy of the Resurrection. The hard work of building the early church hasn’t quite begun. I can just imagine the Disciples relaxing & laughing as they reminisce about their time together the past 3 years - maybe teasing Thomas about running errands when Jesus appeared to the other Disciples in the Upper Room, or nicknaming Peter, “Zorro” for his remarkably poor swordsmanship in the Garden of Gethsemane, or razzing John, saying “You could use a sundial to time his sprint to the Empty Tomb.” To me, this must have been an amazing morning of heartfelt camaraderie.
Perhaps we all need to seek a group like this - a group where we can share with others our mistakes & successes, our problems & potential, & our hopes & fears in Christ-like love. Or if we are blessed to already have a group like this, maybe now would be a time to recommit ourselves to helping our little band of believers to become like these friends-in-Christ from 2,000 years ago.
S. Mores: You’re right – a Small Group or Bible Study or Care Group can provide a wonderful reprieve from a chaotic world. Now, if you’ll excuse me I’ve got to prepare my orders for our annual winter sale.
DL: You bet. What’s the sale called?
S. Mores: “This is the Winter of our Discount Tent.”
Darren LippeDarren Lippe helps facilitate Journey 101 “Loving God” classes, guides a 7th-grade Sunday school class, is a member of a small group and a men’s group, and serves on the curriculum team.
As we consider one of my favorite scenes from the Gospels, I thought we might “visit” with Mr. Samuel Mores, of Camping World - “Life is meant to be in tents!”
DL: So, Sam what stands out you in this scene?
S. Mores: First off by using charcoal, Jesus deftly avoided the great campfire controversy that caused the schism of 1848: Do you put the logs of your campfire in the Teepee formation or in the square Log Cabin configuration? Of course there are those who build a Teepee inside the Log Cabin, but they are considered heretics.
DL: Heretics? Ouch. That sounds harsh, like they would be burned at the stake.
S. Mores: No -just served burnt steak. Anyway, I also love this passage because of the beautiful image of Jesus building a campfire & preparing breakfast for His dearest companions. This isn’t like the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. This is just the very human Jesus personally serving His friends.
You know, theologians always point to Jesus washing the feet of His Disciples as the ultimate act of agape love. However, I would submit that anyone who has been on a cold-weather campout would contend that the person who starts the morning campfire for breakfast, like Jesus did here, is another great example of servant leadership. As it is written in the Book of La Tentations 2:13, “Verily, he who builds a fire early in the morn, is among the greatest ever to be born.” Now, why do you like this passage?
DL: It is so peaceful. The unfathomable crescendo of stress/strain that culminated in the Last Supper, Arrest, Trial, & Crucifixion is now brought into perspective by the absolute joy of the Resurrection. The hard work of building the early church hasn’t quite begun. I can just imagine the Disciples relaxing & laughing as they reminisce about their time together the past 3 years - maybe teasing Thomas about running errands when Jesus appeared to the other Disciples in the Upper Room, or nicknaming Peter, “Zorro” for his remarkably poor swordsmanship in the Garden of Gethsemane, or razzing John, saying “You could use a sundial to time his sprint to the Empty Tomb.” To me, this must have been an amazing morning of heartfelt camaraderie.
Perhaps we all need to seek a group like this - a group where we can share with others our mistakes & successes, our problems & potential, & our hopes & fears in Christ-like love. Or if we are blessed to already have a group like this, maybe now would be a time to recommit ourselves to helping our little band of believers to become like these friends-in-Christ from 2,000 years ago.
S. Mores: You’re right – a Small Group or Bible Study or Care Group can provide a wonderful reprieve from a chaotic world. Now, if you’ll excuse me I’ve got to prepare my orders for our annual winter sale.
DL: You bet. What’s the sale called?
S. Mores: “This is the Winter of our Discount Tent.”
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"Peter the denier, restored, preached boldly (and effectively)"
Saturday, 23 September 2017
Acts 2:1
The festival of Shavu‘ot arrived, and the believers all gathered together in one place. 2 Suddenly there came a sound from the sky like the roar of a violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire, which separated and came to rest on each one of them. 4 They were all filled with the Ruach HaKodesh and began to talk in different languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.
5 Now there were staying in Yerushalayim religious Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered; they were confused, because each one heard the believers speaking in his own language. 7 Totally amazed, they asked, “How is this possible? Aren’t all these people who are speaking from the Galil? 8 How is it that we hear them speaking in our native languages? 9 We are Parthians, Medes, Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Y’hudah, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome; 11 Jews by birth and proselytes; Jews from Crete and from Arabia. . . ! How is it that we hear them speaking in our own languages about the great things God has done?” 12 Amazed and confused, they all went on asking each other, “What can this mean?” 13 But others made fun of them and said, “They’ve just had too much wine!”
14 Then Kefa stood up with the Eleven and raised his voice to address them: “You Judeans, and all of you staying here in Yerushalayim! Let me tell you what this means! Listen carefully to me!
15 “These people ar en’t drunk, as you suppose — it’s only nine in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken about through the prophet Yo’el:
17 ‘Adonai says:
“In the Last Days,
I will pour out from my Spirit upon everyone.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my slaves, both men and women,
will I pour out from my Spirit in those days;
and they will prophesy.
19 I will perform miracles in the sky above
and signs on the earth below —
blood, fire and thick smoke.
20 The sun will become dark
and the moon blood
before the great and fearful Day of Adonai comes.
21 And then, whoever calls on the name of Adonai will be saved.”’[
Acts 2:21 Joel 3:1–5(2:28–32)]
22 “Men of Isra’el! Listen to this! Yeshua from Natzeret was a man demonstrated to you to have been from God by the powerful works, miracles and signs that God performed through him in your presence. You yourselves know this. 23 This man was arrested in accordance with God’s predetermined plan and foreknowledge; and, through the agency of persons not bound by the Torah, you nailed him up on a stake and killed him!
24 “But God has raised him up and freed him from the suffering of death; it was impossible that death could keep its hold on him., 37 On hearing this, they were stung in their hearts; and they said to Kefa and the other emissaries, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Kefa answered them, “Turn from sin, return to God, and each of you be immersed on the authority of Yeshua the Messiah into forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Ruach HaKodesh! 39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for those far away — as many as Adonai our God may call!”
40 He pressed his case with many other arguments and kept pleading with them, “Save yourselves from this perverse generation!”
41 So those who accepted what he said were immersed, and there were added to the group that day about three thousand people.
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Did Jesus’ restoration of Peter make a difference? Oh, yes! Pentecost was the Hebrew harvest festival, and came 50 days after Passover. On this day of Pentecost, just 50 days after the Passover when Jesus died on the cross, God sent the Holy Spirit in a powerful way. Some skeptics claimed the Spirit-filled Christians must have started drinking early. Peter, who just 50 days earlier had feared to call Jesus his Lord even to a servant girl, now forcefully told them this wasn’t inebriation. It was God pouring out the Spirit, as promised in Joel 2:28. The Spirit used Peter’s bold preaching of Jesus as Savior to touch so many hearts that it changed the disciples from a tiny, almost irrelevant group to a movement of thousands.
• Peter quoted some scary-sounding images from Joel: “wonders in the heavens,” “blood and fire and smoke.” He ended the quotation at the key point: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How can that message make earth’s problems less scary to you? Peter said, “This Jesus, God raised up. We are all witnesses to that fact” (verse 32). The Jerusalem authorities and Roman rulers hated that message. They might have easily proved Peter and the early Christians wrong by just producing Jesus' dead body. But Peter knew they couldn’t do that, because it wasn’t there. How does “this Jesus, God raised up” provide hope to your outlook on life and death?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, through the Spirit’s power, the same Peter who denied even knowing you at Passover boldly preached your victory 50 days later at Pentecost. Send your power into my life, stirring me to live boldly for you. Amen.
Family Activity: Jesus asked Peter to share God’s love with others. How does your family work together to share God’s love with others? Select a way to serve others together. Ask an older child or youth to research some volunteer opportunities in your area. He or she could explore the church website (cor.org) for mission ministries in which your family can participate. Consider brainstorming about some less-structured ways you can serve others with God’s love such as helping others in your neighbor or at school. At a family gathering, ask the child or youth to present these opportunities to the rest of the family. Pray and ask God’s guidance as you discuss the possibilities. Choose one or two ways your family can share God’s love with others.
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Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
• Mary Maughn and family on the death of her sister, Rita Knipstein, 9/12
• Suzanne Capps and family on the death of her husband Norman Capps, 9/10
• Steve and Tom Langhofer and families on the death of their mother Phyllis Langhofer, 9/9
• Wendell Lady and family on the death of his sister Phyllis Langhofer, 9/9
• Dan and Emma Entwistle and family on the death of their son Hunter Entwistle, 9/8
• Denise Mersmann and family on the death of her aunt Darlene Powell, 9/6
• Family and friends of Carol Morel on her death, 9/6
• Angela Green and Family on the death of her uncle Melvin F. Sayers, 9/5
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©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
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©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
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