Last week we took a passage to our Discovery Bible Study groups that they found really confusing.
My wife had been to a conference where the speaker unpacked John 21:15-22. The talk had a great impact on her and Chris thought the issues addressed were very relevant for our three groups.
The problem is that they did not have enough background to understand the passage (it is at the end of this email)
One person is called:
- Simon Peter
- Simon, son of John
- Peter
John introduces himself as: the disciple whom Jesus loved; the one who also had leaned back on His chest at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray You?”
Then you have the problem of the different words being used for love. The amplified uses
- love [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend]
- love [with total commitment and devotion]
The study wasn't a total waste of time. People saw that we often focus on what others are getting ("What about him?"), but God wants us to focus on following Him.
It was also a good reminder to me of the importance of looking a passage from the perspective of someone who is not familiar with the Bible and thinking about what items they might find confusing.
How do you select the passages for your Discovery Bible Study? I'd love to hear from you.
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John 21:15-22
15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do—with total commitment and devotion]?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].” Jesus said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16 Again He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with total commitment and devotion]?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].” Jesus said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]?” Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you [really] love Me [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend]?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
18 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and walked wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and arms, and someone else will dress you, and carry you where you do not wish to go.” 19 Now He said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And after saying this, He said to him, “Follow Me [walk the same path of life that I have walked]!”
20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His chest at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray You?” 21 So when Peter saw him, he asked Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man [what is in his future]?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If I want him to stay alive until I come[again], what is that to you? You follow Me!”