By Richard Woelmer

Download a PDF of the Word One Bible Study for Easter 3C Gospel.

Text: John 21:1-14 for the Third Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Series C

OBJECTIVES

Participants will:

  1. The Lord is to be part of our everyday lives.
  2. Our loving Father supplies our physical and spiritual needs.

MATERIALS NEEDED

  1. One large bowl filled with water.
  2. Any small item in mass quantity that floats and can represent fish (chili crackers, Peppridge Farm Goldfish, mini-marshmallows)
  3. Serving spoon for each team.
  4. Large cup or bowl for each team.
  5. Copies of Martin Luther’s explanation of the First Article of The Apostles Creed.

GROUP GUIDELINES

“GOIN’ FISHIN’ RELAY” – Divide into teams of four.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

  1. Place a large bowl of water filled with floating fish at one end of the room opposite the teams that are lined up single file at the other end of the room.
  2. The first person on each team runs to the bowl with a large spoon and scoops out of the water as many of the fish as possible in one He/she then carries the spoonful of fish back to the team and deposits the fish in the container. The spoon is handed to the next team member, who does the same things until everyone on the team as had a turn. The team with the most fish in their container wins!
  3. Stay in your team and discuss the following questions:
    1. What’s the most incredible thing that has ever happened to you?
    2. How did it affect your life?
    3. In your opinion, what’s the most incredible thing that could ever happen to a person? Why?
  4. As a whole group, list and prioritize the incredible, miraculous things that Jesus did. How did the miracles that Jesus performed affect people’s lives? What is the most incredible thing Jesus did? What affect did it have for you?

LOOKING AT GOD’S WORD

  1. Read John 21:1-4. What prompted Peter and the other disciples to go fishing? boredom? a need for income? Do you think they were thinking of Jesus? Why or why not?
  2. How much time do you spend thinking about what God has done for you?
  3. What are some of the things that fill our day as well as distract us from thinking about the incredible resurrection of Jesus Christ?
  4. Read John 21:5-6. How did Jesus interrupt the disciples’ routine? What do you think was their reaction to His instruction? How were they affected by this encounter?
  5. Read John 21:9-12. What else did Jesus do for their benefit?
  6. Read Romans 10:17; 1 Peter 1:23; Titus 3:5; Matthew 26:27-28. How does Jesus get our attention? How does it affect us?

REINFORCING WHAT HAS BEEN LEARNED

Read Ephesians 1:18-19. Summarize the three things God promises to give us because of Christ’s resurrection. Ask the group to pick a persistent problem that draws them away from thinking about what God has done. How does God’s promise affect this problem?

CLOSING

Read together Martin Luther’s explanation to the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed.

Originally published in Discovery Bible Studies.

Updated for youthESource in March 2016