Sermon Study: Session 2 (Fall 2021)

Session 2 – Small Group Study Guide

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Word: How this truth should be understood

  1. Pastor Eric pointed out how this passage is a largely ordinary and unremarkable scene on the surface. What are some of the details in this text that would make it seem an unlikely time and place for Jesus to reveal himself?
  2. At the time, conventional fishing wisdom held that night time was the best time to fish since less fish would come out as the sun shines on the lake. Along with that, commentators point out how steering oars would typically be on the right side. So given what we know about fishing at the time, what was surprising about Jesus’ instructions to the disciples in v. 6? What does this teach us?
  3. Jesus remains veiled to his disciples at the beginning of our passage. When do they first recognize Him and what changed? Why is this significant?

Worship: How this truth affects your heart

  1. What are some of the parts of your life where God seems distant or absent? Where does it feel unlikely or even impossible for Him to reveal Himself to you? How does this passage encourage you to remember Jesus’ presence with you?
  2. Listening to Jesus is trusting that he knows better than you do and obeying him even when it’s hard or doesn’t make sense. What are some specific ways that listening to Jesus has (or needs to) overrule your own way of thinking?

 Work: How this truth works out in your life

  1. What are some practical ways or things you can incorporate into your daily schedule to help remind you that Jesus is present in the everyday, ordinary, and seemingly mundane moments?
  2. In vv. 9-14, Jesus greets his disciples when they return to shore after a long and eventful night at sea with a warm meal and the invitation to “come and have breakfast.” It’s a picture of Jesus’ continued friendship with his disciples and, as Pastor Eric said, his willingness to meet us “again and again.” Write down and share about a time like that in your own life when Jesus met you—perhaps in a very simple, ordinary way—but with exactly what you needed in that moment.  

Sharing and Prayer

  1. As you think about this season, what is one area in which you’d like to grow in living out your faith? Write this down and prepare to follow-up and track God’s work in our future sessions!
  2. What are some ways that you’d like to apply what you just learned to that one area you’d like to grow in living out your faith?
  3. Share other prayer requests.