THE EYES OF FAILURE

When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Feed my lambs,” he told him.

16 A second time he asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love you.” “Shepherd my sheep,” he told him.

17 He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved that he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” “Feed my sheep,” Jesus said. —John 21:15–17 (CSB)

Peter’s restoration in John 21 shows us how Jesus can change our relationship with

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.

THE ANATOMY OF FAILURE:

Failure begins with the

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that it’ll “never happen to me.”
(Matt 26:31-35; John 13:37-38)

Failure stems from

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in your relationship with God.
(Matt 26:74-75; John 18:17-27)

Failure leads you to fill your life with

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.

Nevertheless you still feel

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.
(John 21:3)

RESTORATION FROM FAILURE:

Jesus’ response to Peter’s failure was to perform a miracle with a

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.

Peter’s response was to stop running from Jesus and starts running

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Him.

In restoring us from failure, Jesus often has us

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the scene of our greatest regret.

Not to hurt us but to

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.

Jesus will…

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our relationship.
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our perspective.
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our regrets.
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us to purpose.

DISCUSSION GUIDE

  1. Why do you think overcoming failure is in so many of our modern and ancient stories/myths? Share a story of failure from your own life if you’re comfortable doing so.

  2. “That’ll never happen to me.” Do you struggle with pride or feeling invincible? What’s the harm? How might we cultivate better self-awareness, humility and proper perspective.

  3. Losing intimacy with Jesus is often a precursor to failure. How would you describe your intimacy with Jesus and why?

  4. What are some unhealthy coping mechanisms you tend to run to after failure. Did they prove helpful or harmful? Why so?

  5. Jesus performed a miracle with a message for Peter. How have you seen God use your circumstances to speak to you or reveal something about Himself?

  6. Peter’s response to Jesus’ call was imperfect but sincere. Why do you think Jesus values sincerity over external piety?

  7. Jesus dealt with Peter’s sin to heal, not hurt. Does this change your perspective on God’s discipline? How should this shape our approach to confession and repentance?

  8. In what ways do you need to experience Jesus’ healing from shame or failure right now? Take time to pray for one another.

  9. Jesus redeemed Peter’s regrets and gave him a renewed purpose. How might God want to use your past failures or pain as part of your testimony to help others?

  10. Jesus doesn’t dismiss our failures, he makes atonement and brings redemption trough the cross. How does this shape the way we see and heal from failure?