Challenge

Notes

After breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”

This conversation happened after Jesus had risen from the dead - and after Peter had denied Jesus three times before the crucifixion. When we are a part of God’s family, we are challenged to feed the sheep. It can be difficult to love people as Jesus loves them, but like Peter, we need to step into the challenge.

Here are three steps Peter took to learn how to feed the sheep:

1) Peter let Jesus speak into his life

Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”).
Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).

This is the first interaction in the Bible between Jesus and Peter. When we enter into God’s family, He will make us a part of what He’s doing, and He will speak into who you’re becoming.

2) Peter followed Jesus

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

Following Jesus usually means experiencing difficult moments or choices. Peter had to make the decision to leave a lucrative profession for something that may have seemed uncertain to him at the time.

Our potential leadership is determined by our current followship. God often challenges us to leave the thing our security or hope is in. If that security or hope isn’t in God, we’ll need to make a difficult choice.

3) Peter got involved with Jesus

Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach...

Jesus gave them this small task so that later on, they would be prepared for greater tasks.

Life with Jesus is messy. We don’t always get things right - Peter didn’t, but despite his mistakes, he did amazing things. When we are involved with what Jesus is doing in the world, He will help us see where we’ve missed and will help us get it right the next time. Following Jesus is the challenge of a lifetime, and we need to be ready to be all God created us to be.

Group Questions

• How do we let Jesus speak into our lives?
• What are some examples of being faithful with the small things?
• What did Jesus mean by “feed my sheep”?
• What are some ways we can each feed the sheep?

Prayer

We thank you and praise you for speaking into our lives and challenging us to be a part of building your Kingdom. We want to step into that challenge and do our part in feeding your sheep.