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New and Improved - Week One

March 30, 2025 0 0

 

Old leaves, new leaves

 

Our relationship with God is not static. It is constant but it’s always alive — alive to who we are in God, who we have been and who we can be. 

This week our readings focus on Peter turning over a new leaf. The resurrection has vividly depicted a new leaf, not only for Peter but for God’s relationship with all of humanity. What new leaves are we turning over like Peter? How is our relationship with God growing and changing? And just like Peter was to use the same grit and ingenuity he showed as a fisherman in being an evangelist how is God taking our old lives and making them into something new?

SEEDS TO SOW: What are some of the skills from Peter’s old job as a fisherman that could have helped him with in his new role as an evangelist for God’s kingdom?

 

Read John 21: 1-19

Read the whole reading and then return to each section as shown below below to repeat the relevant verses before going into the discussion.

 

Read John 21: 1-6

Old boat, new possibilities…

Peter, a fisherman by trade, falls back on what he knows and where he knows, and in the midst of that familiarity — Jesus is able to work something new. This fisherman is about to upskill his fishing for a far bigger catch…

Even though they don’t know who it is who is giving them advice yet, the disciples go ahead and do a 180, and have dramatically different results. 

What is it that makes the disciples to go back to what they knows and what is it that makes them try something new?

In our churches and faith communities what is an old thing we could try doing in a new way to get different results?

 

Read John 21: 7-14

Old fish, new fish…

Interestingly we read that Jesus already had fish on the BBQ and yet he still invites the disciples to contribute from their catch. Jesus loves us to contribute what we have, to join in the generosity. 

While his return was mindbogglingly new, the scene of a simple meal on the shore would have been a comforting one they immediately recognised. Why are we so often drawn to a blend of the old and new? How would you have felt as a disciple standing on the beach that morning?

 

Read John 21: 15-19

Old Peter, new Peter…

Three times Peter rejects Christ and now three times Peter accepts Jesus. There is power in repetition to heal our souls and give them a new start.

What is our prayer for modern day Peters today? Those who find themselves standing between their old life and their new life. How can we support people leaving the past behind and stepping into the future?