Unit 28, Session 3

Jesus Forgave Peter (John 21)

Dear families,

In the beginning of John 21, we read of the resurrected Christ’s third appearance to His disciples. Although Peter had seen Jesus, perhaps he had not yet come to terms with his three-fold denial of Jesus. Through a series of three questions and commands, Jesus demonstrated His mercy and forgiveness toward Peter’s denial as well as His wisdom to help Peter understand that obedience flows from a heart of love toward God. 

How does Christ’s forgiveness toward Peter demonstrate His own mercy toward us? What does Jesus’ commission to Peter teach us about our call as forgiven disciples? 

While Peter hadn’t been the first disciple in the boat to realize the man calling them back to shore was Christ, he was the first one making waves to get back and join the Savior where He stood. We witness this headstrong disciple plunge himself into the sea to swim to Jesus while the rest struggled to haul in all the fish they had caught. 

In their conversation after breakfast, Jesus repeatedly asked Peter, “Do you love me?” Each time Jesus asked, Peter became more grieved. Jesus didn’t ask this question because He didn’t know the disciple’s response; rather, Jesus wanted Peter to examine his motives and mission before stepping into God’s calling on his life: that he would lead others into His gift of eternal life. 

Lead your children to consider how impactful Jesus’ mercy was in these moments on the beach. How unbelievable it is that Jesus was willing to forgive Peter after all the times he had denied Him! This same forgiveness has been granted to us through faith in Jesus.  

Remember: God chose to use Peter to lead others to Jesus, despite the ways he had fallen short in sin. God can choose us, too. Nothing can separate us from Jesus’s love, power, or authority over our lives. With each new day, He beckons us to lead others as we follow Him. 

Check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities.

FAMILY TALKING POINTS

CHRIST CONNECTION

This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

• Babies & Toddlers: Jesus loved His friends and wanted them to follow Him. Jesus loves us and wants us to follow Him, too. 
• Younger Preschool: Jesus showed His friends that He still loved them and wanted them to follow Him. Jesus forgives and loves everyone who trusts in Him. 
• Older Preschool: When Jesus was arrested, His disciples ran away. Jesus showed His friends that He still loved them and wanted them to keep following Him. Even though we sin, Jesus forgives us and wants us to follow Him. 
• Kids: The disciples had turned away from Jesus when He was arrested, but Jesus still wanted to use them in God’s plan—as fishers of men who would tell people the good news about Jesus. Jesus is the Lord who forgives us and makes things right again. 

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Younger Preschool: How do we know God wants us to know Him? We know God wants us to know Him because He shows Himself through the Bible. 
• Older Preschool: How do we know God wants us to know Him? We know God wants us to know Him because He shows Himself through the Bible.  
• Kids: How do we know that God wants us to know Him? We can know that God wants us to know Him because He has revealed Himself through His Word. 

KEY PASSAGE

This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Babies & Toddlers: People who know God will live forever. John 17:3 
• Younger Preschool: People who know the only true God and Jesus will live forever. John 17:3 
• Older Preschool: “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ.” John 17:3 
• Kids: “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ.” John 17:3 

** Next week: God Wants Us to Know Him (Matthew 28)