Can you think of a time you felt unqualified? Maybe you felt unqualified when you brought a brand-new baby home from the hospital or when you received a prestigious, yet unexpected, new job responsibility. We have all felt unqualified at times in our lives. This is even true when it comes to our faith. When God calls us to follow Him and take challenging steps of faith, we all may, at times, feel unprepared and unequipped. The good news, however, is that God is not deterred by our seeming “disqualifications.” He uses imperfect, unqualified people every day to have an impact for Him and His kingdom. That includes you, my friend! All He requires is our willingness to follow Him in faith.
When was a time you felt unqualified to do something, but you surprised yourself? What happened?
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1. Read Luke 5:1-11. Name some of the reasons why Peter probably felt unqualified to be in the presence of Jesus and be used by Him?
Luke 5:1-11
1 One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” 5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. 8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
1 One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” 5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.
8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
2. What does this passage of Scripture reveal about who Jesus calls to follow Him and uses to have an impact?
3. Read Matthew 14:22-33. How did Peter’s response to seeing Jesus on the water take courage?
Matthew 14:22-33
22Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. 24Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. 25About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” 27But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” 28Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29“Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” 32When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
4. Do you think Peter demonstrated more faith than the other disciples on the boat? Why or why not? How does your answer to that question impact how you understand this interaction between Jesus and Peter?
1. Can you relate to Peter’s words in Luke 5:8? Why or why not?
2. Focusing on the waves in the sea caused Peter’s faith to waver. What waves or storms here on earth might be causing your faith to waver? How can you refocus your eyes on Him?
3. What step of faith would you take if you put aside fear of being unqualified and trusted God to use you?
When we begin to wonder if God can use us, sometimes we need to remember how He has already been at work in our lives. Break up into groups of two or three and share one way God used you to make an impact for His kingdom when you felt unqualified. Let these stories of God using us when we feel unqualified encourage you all to trust Him to continue using you in the future.
During the weekend message, we heard that Peter’s life was full of high and low moments of faith, much like our own. Throughout the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, also known as the Gospels, we read about these moments of faith. For the next few moments, read about three of these moments in Peter’s life, some high moments and some low, and discover what we can learn from them.
Throughout His ministry, many people misunderstood Jesus. Some saw Him as a great teacher and nothing more. Some, mainly religious leaders, saw Him as a threat. Still, a select number of people saw Jesus for who He really was, the long-awaited Messiah. Peter was one of those people. Take a moment to read about his declaration of faith and discuss it with your group.
1. Read Matthew 16:13-19.
Matthew 16:13-19
13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” 15Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 19And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”
2. What was significant about Peter’s statement about who Jesus was?
3. What misunderstandings today do people have about who Jesus is? How can we point them to the truth about who He really is?
4. What are the responsibilities of Christ followers today because of who He is, and what is at stake if we do not live up to those responsibilities?
Perhaps the lowest moment in Peter’s faith came as he saw Jesus arrested and put on trial before His ultimate crucifixion. As Peter watched what was happening, three different people asked him if he was one of Jesus’ disciples. Three times, Peter denied even knowing Jesus, His teacher whom he had dedicated his entire life to for three years and beyond. Let’s read about these moments now and learn from Peter’s mistakes, knowing that like him, we are prone to wander from God and turn away from Him. As a result, we must set our hearts and minds on Him alone.
1. Read Matthew 26:69-75
Matthew 26:69-75
69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.[a]” 72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said. 73 A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.” 74 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.
2. Compare Peter's different answers each time he was asked if he knew Jesus. What do you learn from the progression you see in his answers?
3. Why do you think Peter denied knowing Jesus?
4. What tempts us today to hold back from sharing about our relationship with Christ? How can we fight against those temptations?
In the last chapter of John, we read about a special interaction between Peter and Jesus. Jesus had been crucified and risen from the dead, and now He had appeared to His disciples, including Peter. Can you imagine how Peter felt when he had a chance to have a one-on-one conversation with Jesus? I am sure Peter felt deep joy knowing that Jesus was alive, but also deep shame for what he had done, denying knowing Jesus. As He spoke with Peter, Jesus had an important message for Him: He still had a job to do. Read about this life-changing conversation between Jesus and Peter now and talk about it with your group.
1. Read John 21:15-23. This passage takes place when Jesus had appeared to His disciples in the days after His resurrection.
John 21:15-23
15After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. 16Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. 17A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. 18“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” 20Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” 21Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” 22Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” 23So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
2. Name the emotions you think Peter felt after Jesus asked Him three times, “Do you love me?”
3. What phrases do you see repeated in this interaction between Peter and Jesus, and what can we learn from that repetition?
4. Why do you think this conversation was so important for Peter to have before Jesus returned to heaven?
After reading this Scripture, reflect on what you learned with your group. Answer the questions below.
1. What can we learn from all of these stories from Peter’s life about faithfulness and following Christ?
2. Who do you know who needs to hear the good news that our mistakes do not disqualify us, and that God will restore and redeem us if we turn back to Him? How can you encourage them this week?
End your time praying together. Pray for the people in your lives who need the hope that no one is “too far gone” to be used by God and that our inadequacies and mistakes do not disqualify us. Pray that they would turn back to God and that God would use you to share the hope of Christ with them.
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