Small Group Study Guide | Empty: This Changes Everything!

Aurora  Indian Creek  Sugar Grove  Illinois 

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TableofContents

VBC Small Group Schedule ............................................................................................................................ 3 

Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................................ 3 

What is an Inductive Bible Study Method? ................................................................................................... 4 

Series Overview.............................................................................................................................................. 5 

Saying Good‐Bye to Our Sorrow .................................................................................................................... 6 

Small Group Preparation Questions .................................................................................................. 8 

Strengthening our Service ........................................................................................................................... 11 

Small Group Preparation Questions ................................................................................................ 13 

Stop Your Second Guessing ......................................................................................................................... 16 

Small Group Preparation Questions ................................................................................................ 17 

Slaying our Shame ........................................................................................................................................ 19 

Small Group Preparation Questions ................................................................................................ 21 

SmallGroupInformation

Group Core Values 

Group Commitments 

Prayer Lists 

Goals  

Snack Sign up Lists 

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VBCSmallGroupSchedule

Study  When  Scripture

Week #1  Week of April 24 John 20:1‐18 Week #2  Week of May 1 John 20:19‐23 Week #3  Week of May 8 John 20:24‐31 Week #4  Week of May 15 John 21:15‐25 Week #5  Week of May 22 Conclusion Party

Acknowledgements

This study was a collaborative effort. 

Inductive Bible Study Method .... Precepts Austin

Weekly Devotionals .................... Written by Travis Fleming, Teaching Pastor, VBC Grace Campus 

Weekly Study Questions ............. Written by Tim Badal, Lead Teaching Pastor, Village Bible Church 

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WhatisanInductiveBibleStudyMethod?TheinductiveBiblestudymethodisbasedonareviewofthecontextsurroundingeach passage of scripture. Investigation of each statement is crucial inunderstandingthemeaningoftheBible.Thisprocessinvolves4keysteps.

Prayer

BeforeapersonbeginsanyBiblestudy,theyshouldprayforthehelpoftheHolySpirit.ThiscanbeaforgottenaspectofstudyingGod'sWordbecausemanypeopleapproach the Bible as though they were studying a textbook. Without prayer,inductiveBiblestudyisjustamethod.

Observation

Nextwe recommend that a person continually question:Who?What?When?Where?Why? How? Continue bymarkingwordsthatarerepeatedorprominentinthetext.Repetitionbythewriteroftenindicatestheimportanceofaconceptsoremphasisonwhathewantsthereadertolearn.

Lists are another important focus,which revealmain concepts and keys. Contrasts and comparisons, especiallythosewithhighlydescriptivelanguage,usestrongvisualimagerytohelpthereaderrememberwhathelearned.

Identifythepassageoftimetoascertainthesequenceofeventsandbetterinterpretmeaning.Notechapterthemesregardingaperson,principle,event,orfocus.Thesecanbedeterminedthroughareviewofthelistsandkeywordsalreadyobserved.

Interpretation

Overall,theBibleshouldbeusedtointerpretitself.Inotherwords,theBiblewillnevercontradictitself.Iftherearetwopassagesthatseematoddswitheachother,itismostlikelybecausethereisathirdpassagethatwilltiethetwotogether.

Oneortwoisolatedorobscureversesarenotasolidbasisfordoctrine.Context,includinghistoricalandculturalconsiderations,isakeyconceptinstudyingGod'sWord.TheBibleshouldbeinterpretedliterally.God'sdesireisthatweknowtruth.Mostpassagescanbetakenatfacevalueandwillspeakforthemselves.However,takeliterarystylesintoconsideration.SimilesandmetaphorsareusedliberallythroughoutsomebooksoftheBiblebutrarelyinothers.

AlthoughtheBible itselfshouldbethemainresourcein inductiveBiblestudy,werecognizethevalueofoutsideresources.Therearemanyothersolidstudymaterialsthatareavailable,bothonlineandinbookform.Inaddition,groupstudyandlisteningtoothers'perspectivescanbeaninvaluabletoolandprovideadditionalinsight.

Application

OnceapersonunderstandswhatGod'sWordsays,sheisobligatedtoapplythatteachingtoherlife.TheBiblewillexpose false belief systems or thought patterns that do not align with God and that can often result in poorbehavior choices. Scripture outlines a process‐‐sometimes general, but often specific‐‐to take to change thebehavior.

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SeriesOverview

Long lines of visitors from all over the world wait patiently day after day to visit Lenin’s Tomb and view his

embalmed body. Although he died in 1924, the corpse of that Communist leader has seemingly suffered no

decomposition. It looks deceptively lifelike. And its appearance is indeed deceptive. Skillful artistsmonitor the

preservedcorpse,artificiallycoloringitsfaceandusingwaxtofillinanylinesorthesmallestspotofdecay.

People also regularly visit Jerusalem to see the place where Jesus died and was buried. But there’s a striking

contrast—thereisnobodyofthecrucifiedChristanywhere.Oh,thereisonerock‐hewntomb,whereaccordingto

traditionthenail‐scarred,spear‐driven,thorn‐crownedcorpseofChristwaslaid.Butresurrectedbythepowerof

God His Father, the Savior left His grave clothes behind when He emerged from the tomb, like a butterfly

abandoningitscocoon.JesusisaliveandyoucanknowHispresencetoday.BecauseofHisatoningdeathandthe

emptytomb,youcanvictoryovertheenemyofsinanddeath.

Inthelast2chaptersofJohn’sgospelweareshownthepowerofoneemptygrave.ForMary,wewouldseethat

emptymeant saying good‐bye to our sorrow. For the disciples itwouldmean a strengthened service for their

master.WithThomasitmeanthecouldstophissecondguessing.WhenitcametoPeterhewouldfinallybeableto

slay the shame of his life. How about you? What does an empty tombmean for you? Whenwe observe and

recognizetherisenChristwewillexperiencethefactthat…ItChangesEverything!!!

Grave,whereisthyvictorynow?SeethelightuponHisbrow!Empty—see,thestonybed;Christisrisenfromthedead!

Chisholm

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Empty!Lesson1

SayingGood‐ByetoOurSorrow

“Jesussaidtoher,‘Woman,whyareyouweeping?Whomareyouseeking?’"—John20:15a

Sorrow.TherewasnootherwordtodescribethepaininMaryMagdalene’sheartasshemadeherwaytoJesus’

tomb.Hermindwasweary,playingovertheeventsofthelastthreedays.Hehadbeensomuchtoher,offeredher

anewlife,givenherhopeandapurpose,butnowHewasgone.SherememberedwhenshefirstmetHim.Itfelt

like so longago. Shedidn’t remembermuch,but she rememberedHis face. Apparently,Hehadcastout seven

demons fromher. Itwasas ifshehadcomeout fromahaze. Lifewasmuddled,difficult then,butnow…itwas

different,anditwasallbecauseofHim.

Shewasstillnumb—thescarsofthelastthreedayswerestillfreshinhermind.ShewishedthattheimageofHis

deathwoulddisappear,butitdidn’t.Shewastired,hermindached,andherfacerevealedthepainandsorrowof

griefspentoverthelossofonedearlyloved.Herfacewaspuffyandhereyeswetasshemadeherwaytothetomb.

Lightwasjustbeginningtopeekacrossthehorizonanddarknesswasgivingwaytolight.Thelightcrunchofher

feetandthoseoftheladieswithhersoftlyfilledthemorningair.Itwasabeautifulmorning,butsuchbeautyinthe

faceofsorrowonlygivesgreaterweighttosorrow,asC.S.Lewissaid:“Youcan’tseeanythingproperlywhileyour

eyesareblurredwithtears”—AGriefObserved,p.45‐46.

Shedidn’tthinkthatshehadanytearslefttocry,buteachtimethepictureofHimonthecrossflashedacrossher

mind,thetearsflowedalloveragain.Sorrowandgrieffilledherheart,anunwelcomereminderthatlifeisnotasit

shouldbe.Shewasgratefulnottobealoneatthismoment.Theywerebringingspicestothetomb,toanointHis

body.ItwasawhollyunwelcometaskthatremindedthemofthecruelrealitythatHewasgone,butonethatthey

undertooktogether.

Onefinallyspokeup—itwasnecessarytorollthestoneawaytogetaccesstothebody,butwhowoulddoit?In

theirmournfulstatetheyhadforgottentobringsomemenalong.Dustyearthgavewaytoplants,astheysetfoot

intheGardenthathousedHistomb.Itwasjustthenthattheysawit—thestonehadbeenrolledaway!Confusion

filledtheirminds—whathappened?DidsomeonestealHisbody?

Marystoodweepingoutsidethetomb,whentwoangelsinwhiteappeared,saying,“Woman,whyareyouweeping?”

Shereplied,“TheyhavetakenawaymyLord,andIdonotknowwheretheyhavelaidHim.”Sheturnedaroundand

sawJesus,althoughshedidn’tknow itwasHim. Hesaid toher,“Woman,whyareyouweeping? Whomareyou

seeking?”ShethoughtHewasthegardenerandsaid,“Sir,ifYouhavecarriedHimaway,tellMewhereYouhavelaid

Him,andIwilltakeHimaway.”

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ItwasthenthatJesussaidtoher,“Mary.”Sheknewthatvoice!Itwasthevoicethatcastoutthesevendemons!It

wasthevoicethathadbeenthereforherwhenallothershaddesertedher!ItwasthevoiceofJesus!Shecriedout

inAramaic(probablyhernativetongue),“Rabboni!”whichmeans“Teacher.”

Hesaidtoher,“DonotclingtoMe,forIhavenotyetascendedtotheFather;butgotoMybrothersandsaytothem,

‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God”—John 20:17. Mary then went and

announcedJesus’resurrectiontothedisciples,aswellaseverythingHetoldher,saying,“IhaveseentheLord”—

John20:18.

OneofthehallmarksoftheChristianfaithisjoy.Joyisnotdependentuponcircumstances,butitisbirthedinhope

thattranscendsthisworldandconnectsustothenext.AndthejoyoftheLord,asNehemiahwrote,isourstrength

(Nehemiah8:10).Butweknowalltoowellthatjoyformostofusisbasedmoreonourmoodsandcircumstances

thannot. We longtobe joyous,butwhilewearestillonearth, joywillbehardtoholdontountilweare inthe

presenceoftheLordatwhoserighthandarepleasuresforevermore(Psalm116:11)andallofourtearsarewiped

away (Revelation 21:4). Wemay sorrow temporarily now, but His resurrection has guaranteed the daywhen

“deathshallbenomore,neithershalltherebemourning,norcrying,norpainanymore, forthe formerthingshave

passedaway."—Revelation21:4.Amen.

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SmallGroupPreparationQuestionsJohn20:1‐18

OpenIt

1. Whatisonedarkmomentofyourlifethatendedhappily?

2. Whydopeoplevisitthegravesitesofclosefriendsandfamilymembers?

3. Aboutwhatsortofnewswouldyougetexcitedrightnow?

ExploreIt:ReadJohn20:1‐18

4. WhatdidMaryMagdalenediscoverwhenshewenttoJesus’tomb?(20:1)

5. WhatdidMaryMagdalenetellPeter?When?(20:2)

6. WhatdidMaryandthedisciplesdoafterseeingthatJesus’bodywasgone?(20:10‐11)

7. WhatdidMaryseewhereJesus’bodyhadbeen?(20:12)

8. WhatdidtheangelsaskMary?(20:13)

9. HowdidMaryanswertheangels’question?(20:13)

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10. WhotriedtocomfortMary?(20:14‐15)

11. WhatquestiondidJesusaskMary?(20:15)

12. HowdidMaryrespondtoJesus’question?(20:15)

13. WhydidJesustellMarynottoholdontoHim?(20:17)

14. WhatdidJesustellMarytotellHisbrothers?(20:17)

GetIt

15. WhydoyouthinkMarywenttothetomb?

16. IfyouhadbeenMarywhatthoughtswouldhaverunthroughyourmindwhenyoudiscoveredtheemptytomb?

17. Howwouldyourespondifyoumetsomeoneyouhadpresumedtobedead?

18. HowdoyouthinkMaryfeltwhensherealizedshewastalkingtoJesus?

19. Whenisittemptingtoholdontosomethinggoodratherthanshareitwithothers?

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20. Ifyouhadbeenoneof thediscipleswhohadheardMary’sexcitingnews,howdoyou thinkyouwouldhavereacted?

21. When has a positive happening in your life appeared at first to be a confusing, unfortunate, or tragicevent?

ApplyIt

22. Whattruthsofthegospeldoyouwanttoinvestigatemorecloselyoverthenextfewweeks?Howcanyou?

23. WhenhaveyoubeenexceptionallythrilledaboutyourrelationshipwithChrist?

24. Share3waysyoucanyoudemonstrateyourdevotiontoJesus?

25. WhomdoyouneedtotellabouttheemptytombofChrist?How?

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Empty!Lesson2

StrengtheningourService

“Ontheeveningofthatday,thefirstdayoftheweek,thedoorsbeinglockedwherethediscipleswereforfearof

the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace bewith you.’WhenHe had said this,He

showedthemHishandsandHisside.Then thedisciplesweregladwhen theysawtheLord. Jesussaid to them

again, ‘Peacebewithyou.As theFatherhassentMe,evenso Iamsendingyou.’AndwhenHehadsaid this,He

breathedonthemandsaidtothem,‘ReceivetheHolySpirit.Ifyouforgivethesinsofany,theyareforgiventhem;

ifyouwithholdforgivenessfromany,itiswithheld.’"—John20:19‐23

Thewordswerestillechoingintheirminds,“He isnothere. Hehasrisen!” Whatcouldthatmean? Thewomen

reportedseeingHimalive,butitcouldn’tbetrue.PeterandJohnreportedthatthetombwasemptyandthegrave

clotheswerethere.MarytoldthemshehadseentheLordandthatJesustoldherthatHehadnotyetascendedto

GodtheFather.Confusionreigned.Howcouldamanrisefromthedead?Thatwasimpossible!

Theeventsofthelastthreedaysstillwereswirlingintheirminds.Everythingthattheyhadworkedforandhoped

forwaslostandburiedinthetomb.TheirLord,Master,andTeacherwasdead—orsotheythought.TheJewshad

finallymanaged toget toHim,andbecause theywereHisclosestassociates they thought theywerenext. They

neededtoprocessandfigurethingsout,sotheymetinthelastplacewheretheyhadbeentogetherwithJesus—the

upperroomwiththedoorslockedtight,justincasetheJewscamelookingforthem.

Thestenchofdeathhadbeensothickintheair,butwiththetestimonyofthewomenandtheemptygraveclothes,

thestirringsurgeoflifeandhopebegantobloom.Itwasthenthatoutofnowhere,Jesusappeared.Hesaid,“Peace

bewithyou.”Weretheyhallucinating?WasHeanapparition?Perhapsitwasavision?Theirquestionshungin

theair.ButJesus,noticingtheirastonishment,showedthemHishandsandHisside.Apparitionsandvisionsdidn’t

have flesh—much less bear the scars of torture Jesus had just gone through. ButHewas alive! HereHewas!

Standingrightinfrontofthem—alive!Feargavewaytojoyatthesightofthemarks,andHesaidtothemagain,

“Peacebewithyou.AstheFatherhassentMe,evensoIamsendingyou.”NotonlywasHealive,buthopewasalive!

Jesus’missionwasnotyetcomplete!Hewasthecomingone!HewasGod’sanointed!Slowlyeverythingbeganto

makesense—allofthethingsHehadtoldthemaboutHissufferinganddeathcametrue.IthadtohappenandHe

hadknownit!AndHestillhadataskforthem!AsGodtheFatherhadsentHim,nowHewassendingthem!

ThetaskthatJesushadforthediscipleswasadivineoneandrequireddivineresources:“AndwhenHehadsaid

this,Hebreathedonthemandsaidtothem,‘ReceivetheHolySpirit.Ifyouforgivethesinsofany,theyareforgiven

them; ifyouwithhold forgiveness fromany, it iswithheld.” Thedisciplesneededpower togoandspeak to the

nations,apowerthatcouldonlycomefromGod.TheyneededHisHolySpirittoequipthem,strengthenthem,give

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themwisdom,discernmentandpower.JesuswasvictoriousandHiskingdomwouldberealized,butitwouldbe

uptothedisciples,equippedandfilledbytheHolySpirit,toproclaimit.

Weallneedthatpowertoserve.GodhaspromisedthatallwhocometoHiminfaithreceiveHisSpirit(Ephesians

1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:21‐22). It is the Spiritwho comforts (John 12:26; 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7), teaches (John

14:26; 1 Cor. 2:13), speaks (Acts 8:29; 13:2), makes decisions (Acts 15:28), grieves over sin (Ephesians 4:30),

overrules human actions (Acts 16:6‐7), searches the deep things of God and knows the thoughts of God (1

Corinthians 2:10‐11), distributes spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11), interprets and brings prayer before the

throneoftheFather(Romans8:26‐27),assuresbelieversoftheiradoptionasGod’schildren(Romans8:16),and

whobearswitnessandglorifiesChrist(John15:26;16:14).

WeknowthatasbelieverswehavetheSpiritofGod,butwearealsotobefilledwiththeSpirit(Ephesians5:18),

whichoccurswhenwe liveour lives inobedience toHimand take in the thingsofGod(e.g.., reading theWord,

praying,fellowshippingwiththesaintsofGod,worshipping,attendingchurch,etc.). Howaboutyou? Doesyour

serviceneedstrengthening? AskGodto fillyouwithHisSpiritanduseyouforHisglory. Thetasktoreachthe

worldwiththeloveofChristisimpossibletodobyourselves—weneedGod’sresourcestoaccomplishGod’stask

sothatHisnamemightreceivegloryandwemightreceivejoy.Amen.

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SmallGroupPreparationQuestionsJohn20:19‐23

OpenIt

1. Whathideawaysdidyouhavewhenyouweregrowingup?

2. Whatfriendorrelativethatyouhaven’tseenforawhilewouldyoubeoverjoyedtoseeagain?

ExploreIt:ReadJohn20:19‐23

3. Whatdayoftheweekwasitwhenthedisciplesweretogether?(20:19)

4. Whydidthediscipleshavethedoorslocked?(20:19)

5. Whosurprisedthedisciplesintheirhideaway?(20:19)

6. WhatdidJesussaytothedisciples?When?(20:19)

7. WhatdidJesusshowHisdisciples?Why?(20:20)

8. HowdidthedisciplesrespondtoseeingJesus?(20:20)

9. WhatgreetingdidJesusrepeat?(20:21)

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10. WhatdidJesustellHisdisciplesabouttheirfuture?(20:21)

11. WhydidJesusbreatheonHisdisciples?(20:22)

12. WhatdidJesustellthedisciplestoreceive?(20:22)

13. WhatdidJesustellHisdisciplesaboutforgivingsins?(20:23)

GetIt

14. WhenhaveyoubeenafraidtofollowJesusopenly?

15. Ifyouhadbeeninthatroomwiththedisciples,howmightyouhavereactedwhenJesusappeared?

16. Whenhaveyoubeenoverjoyedtoseesomeone?

17. TowhomhasJesussentus?

18. TowhomhasJesussentyou?

19. Whyisitimportantforustoforgiveothers?

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20. Whenisitmostdifficultforyoutoforgive?

21. Whatcanwedotobecomeforgivingofothers?

ApplyIt

22. Whomdoyouneedtoforgive?

23. Whoseforgivenessdoyouneedtoseek?Howcanyou?

24. WithwhomdoyouwanttoshareyourjoyinChrist?

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Empty!Lesson3

StopYourSecondGuessing

“ThenHesaidtoThomas,‘Putyourfingerhere;seeMyhands.ReachoutyourhandandputitintoMyside.Stop

doubtingandbelieve.”—John20:27(NIV)

Most know the storyof Thomas. Hewasoneof Jesus’ disciples, andpossibly themost famous skeptic in all of

history.Onedoesn’thavetobeascholartoknowwhenapersonisdead.Thomaswasatthecrucifixion.Hesaw

what theydid to Jesus. He sawHimbloodiedandbeaten—a far cry from the Jesusheknew. He saw thenails

poundedintobothHishands,HegrimacedwhenthenailwentthroughHisfeet.HesawHimstrippednakedand

heardHimcryoutthoseseventimesfromthecross,withthelastwords,“IntoYourhandsIcommitMySpirit.”He

sawtheheaddrop. Hesawthelife fadeaway. AndHesawthestaffpierceHisside. Bloodandwaterwerethe

signs of death. It didn’t take a doctor to know Jesus was gone. It is no wonder that Thomas doubted Jesus’

resurrection.

What brought insult to injurywas how the other ten could believe that Hewas alive. On the daywhen Jesus

appeared to the disciples in the upper room,Thomaswas absent. They kept going on aboutHis appearing and

speakingtothem,andtheyweren’talone.ThewomenmaintainedthattheyhadseenJesustoo.Theywereasking

himtobelieveintheirtestimony,buthecouldn’t.Therewasjusttoomuchevidencetothecontrary.Theonlyway

thathewouldbelieve is ifhesaw Jesushimself. Ifhecouldputhis fingers in thenailholes,and inHisside,he

wouldbelieve.

God is not afraid of our fears and doubts, provided that our fears and doubts aremeans of understanding and

growinginfaith.Therearesomewhodoubt,butnotbecausetheyaregenerallyseekingtounderstand,butrather

theyareseekinganopportunitytosin.NotThomas.Hisdoubtwassincereandhischallengewasreal.

Days passed and the disciples andwomenmaintained their testimony to Jesus’ resurrection,much to Thomas’

frustration.Nevertheless,helovedthemandstayedwiththem.Theywerebackintheupperroom,withthedoors

locked again, when Jesus came and stood among them saying, “Peace bewith you.” The thoughts swirled in

Thomas’mind—who is this? Jesuscouldn’tbealive…couldHe?” And then Jesussaid toThomas, “Putyour finger

here;seemyhands.Reachoutyourhandandputitintomyside.Stopdoubtingandbelieve.” Hegraciouslyoffered

Hishandsandsidetohimforhisinspection,andforThomas,itwasenough. Jesuswasrightinfrontofhimand

alive!Heexclaimed,“MyLordandmyGod!”Jesusthensaidtohim,“HaveyoubelievedbecauseyouhaveseenMe?

Blessedarethosewhohavenotseenandyethavebelieved”—John20:29.

Jesus’resurrectionputsastoptoallofoursecond‐guessing. Herosefromthedeadsothatwemighthavehope

andlifebothinthislife(John10:10),andintheonetocome(1Corinthians15:8). Mayourdoubtsmeltlikethe

snowinsummerandmayourheartsbeestablishedandstrengthenedlikethemajesticmountains.Mayourdoubts

fleeawayandmaywebecomeboldwitnessestothewondrousnameofourgreatGod.Amen.

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SmallGroupPreparationQuestionsJohn20:24‐31

OpenIt

1. Whatbook(besidestheBible)haveyouenjoyedmost?

2. Whenhasdoubtsfilledyourlife?Howwereyouabletomovepastsuchthoughtsandfeelings?

ExploreIt:ReadJohn20:24‐31

3. WhatdisciplewasnotwiththeotherswhenJesusappearedtothem?(20:24)

4. WhathadtheotherdisciplestoldThomas?(20:24)

5. WhatdidThomassayheneededinordertobelievethatJesuswasraisedfromthedead?(20:25)

6. HowdidJesusrestoreThomas’sfaith?(20:26)

7. WhatdidJesussaytoThomas?(20:27)

8. WhatdidThomassayinresponsetoJesus’words?(20:28)

9. WhatdidJesussayaboutseeingandbelieving?(20:29)

10. WhatdidJohnleaveoutofhisGospel?(20:30)

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11. WhywasthebookofJohnwritten?(20:31)

12. WhatresultsfrombelievingthatJesusistheSonofGod?(20:31)

GetIt

13. WhenhaveyouhaddoubtsaboutyourfaithinChrist?

14. HowshouldwedealwithourdoubtsaboutChristianity?

15. WhyisitdifficulttobelieveinChrist?

16. InwhatwaysdoweneedtotrustChrist?

17. OnwhatevidencedoyourelyforyourbeliefthatJesusrosefromthedead?

18. WhatsortofevidenceforthetruthofChristianityhasJohngivenus?

ApplyIt

19. WhatdoubtsconcerningyourfaithinChristwouldyoubewillingtosharewithothersinyourgroup?

20. HowcanyouusetheGospelofJohntotellothersaboutJesus?

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Empty!Lesson4

SlayingourShame

“Whentheyhadfinishedbreakfast,JesussaidtoSimonPeter,‘Simon,sonofJohn,doyouloveMemorethanthese?’

HesaidtoHim,"Yes,Lord;YouknowthatI loveYou.’Hesaidtohim, ‘FeedMylambs.’ Hesaidtohimasecond

time, ‘Simon,sonofJohn,doyouloveMe?’HesaidtoHim, ‘Yes,Lord;YouknowthatI loveYou.’Hesaidtohim,‘TendMysheep.’Hesaidtohimthethirdtime,‘Simon,sonofJohn,doyouloveMe?’PeterwasgrievedbecauseHe

saidtohimthethirdtime,‘DoyouloveMe?’andhesaidtoHim,‘Lord,Youknoweverything;YouknowthatIlove

You.’Jesussaidtohim,‘FeedMysheep.’”—John21:15‐17

Guilt. Guiltisnotfun. Itimprisonsthesoul. ItkeepsthebelieverawayfrombeingeffectivefortheLord. Peter

knewguilt.HehadbeenoneofJesusstaunchestfollowers,declaringthatifeveryoneelseweretodesertJesus,he

wouldnot.AndevenifdeathitselfcameknockingatPeter’sdoor,hewouldgladlylaydownhislifeforJesus.

Petermade his declaration of loyalty to Jesus at the Last Supper, but itwas only a few short hours laterwhen

Peter’swordswould be tested. Betrayed by Judas and arrested, Jesuswas taken to the house of Caiaphas, the

Jewish high priest. Peter followed Jesus andmade hisway into the courtyard of Caiaphas’ home, towatch the

eventsunfoldfromwhatheperceivedtobeasafedistanceaway.Itwasatthemomentwhenhethoughthewas

safethattheunexpectedhappened. A lowlyservantgirlconfrontedPeter. SheaccusedhimofbeingwithJesus.

Afraid atwhatmighthappen tohim if discovered tobeoneof Jesus’ associates,Peter liedanddeniedknowing

Jesus. InanuncannydemonstrationofhowsindistancesusfromourSavior,Petermovedthistimeabitfurther

away. Peter sought to maintain his observer’s post from a safer distance. This time another servant girl

approaches.ConvincedthatPeterhadbeenwithJesus,shedeclaresaloudtothosestandingaround,“Thismanwas

withJesusofNazareth.”Unabletomoveanyfartheroutofthecourtyardwithoutleavingcompletely,Peteruttered

anoath,astatementsuretodissuadeanyfurtheraccusations,“Idonotknowtheman!”Appeasingthosestanding

by for a few moments, by keeping their doubts to themselves. However, his accent revealed his association!

(Matthew26:73)

Confrontedathirdtime,Petergavethemostemphaticdeclarationpossible,“Idonotknowtheman.”Itwasatthat

precisemoment,nosoonerhadthewordslefthis lips,aroostercrowed. Bewilderedatthesoundringinginhis

ears, he liftedhishead to see Jesus’ eyes staringbackathim. Jesus’words, still so fresh from just a fewhours

before,hunginhisearsandechoedthroughthedepthsofhissoul,“Beforetheroostercrowstoday,youwilldenyMe

threetimes”—Luke22:61b.

Denial. Desperation.Devastation.WhatwasPetertodo?AsthetearsstreakeddownPeter’sface,onecanonly

imaginethepainhefelt. Itwasinthismomentthatheknewhopeitselfwouldsoonbecrucified,butwouldGod

soonbeglorified?

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Theresurrectionchangedeverything. Jesus roseagainconqueringsinanddeath. Hopewasalive forevermore!

CondemnationanddevastationfleeinthelightofChrist’sresurrection.

TheresurrectionenablesPetertohaverestoration.Threetimesofdenial,requiresthreetimesofbeingrestored,

“Doyou loveMe?” Peter replies, “Youknow I loveYouLord.” Jesusgivesgraceandapurpose, “FeedMy lambs.”

AgainJesusasksthequestion,“Simon,sonofJohn,doyouloveMe?”ThewoundofPeter’sguiltisfreshandpainful,

butthesalveof Jesus’resurrection isbeingappliedtothewound. Heresponds,“Yes,Lord;Youknowthat I love

You." Peter’sdenials revealedhimretreating,now Jesusquestionsshowguilt fleeing. Jesus responds, “TendMy

sheep.”

Jesusasksathirdandfinaltimethequestion,“Simon,sonofJohn,doyouloveMe?”Peter,grievedatJesus’question,

makesanewdeclaration,“Lord,Youknoweverything;YouknowthatI loveYou.” Threetimesasinnerandthree

timesrestored, thissainthasbeenset free fromhisprisonofpain,demolishingthegateofguiltwith thekeyof

grace.Peterhasbeensetfree,restoredtorightrelationship,andfreedfromguiltbygrace!

Howmanyinourworldtoday,dearbrotherorsister,areprisonersofpain,cementedintheirsin?Howmanyare

confinedbyguiltandneedtoberestoredtoarelationshiptotherisenSavior?Dearone,Jesushasgivenusthekey

ofgracetounlockthegateofguilt.WeneedonlyaskandHewillopen.Hewillsetusfree.ThosewhocometoHim

inaspiritofrepentance,Hewillbynomeanscastout.Hewillsetusfree(John8:32).Amen.

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SmallGroupPreparationQuestionsJohn21:15‐25

OpenIt

1. Whendidyoueverhavetorestoreabrokenrelationship?

2. Discuss as a group an embarrassing moment you experienced? How were you able to get over theembarrassment?

ExploreIt:ReadJohn21:1‐25

3. WhatdidJesusaskPeterthreetimes?(21:15‐17)

4. WhatdidJesustellPetertodo?(21:15‐17)

5. HowdidPeterfeelafterJesushadaskedhimthesamequestionthreetimes?(21:17)

6. WhatdidJesuspredictaboutPeter’sfuture?(21:18‐19)

7. WhatcommanddidJesusgivetoPeter?(21:19)

8. WhatconcerndidPeterraise?(21:20‐21)

9. HowdidJesuswantPetertoserveHim?(21:22)

10. WhatrumorspreadastheresultofJesus’talkwithPeter?(21:23)

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11. WhatdidJohndowiththetestimonyhehadconcerningJesus?(21:24)

12. HowmanyofJesus’deedsdidJohnleaveoutofhisGospel?(21:25)

GetIt

13. Whydoourfailuresleadtosuchtimesofhopelessness?WhatwasJesuswaytopullPeteroutofhistimeofdespair?

14. WhenhaveyouexperiencedtheforgivenessofJesusoveraparticularfailure?

15. InwhatwayscanweserveothersasPeterwascalledtodo?

16. InwhatuniquewayshaveyoubeengiftedtoserveGod?

17. Whatmightcauseustobemoreconcernedaboutsomeoneelse’srelationshipwithChristthanourown?

ApplyIt

18. HowcanyoufocusyourattentionsolelyonyourservicetoGodthisweek?

19. WhathappensifwefailtoliveoutGod’scallingtoserveasministersinthebodyofChrist?

20. Whyisourcallasbelieverstoserveoneanothersuchahugeparttoourfaith?