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Group Discussion
Questions for facilitating dynamic discussion
Deconstruction - A Doubter's Journey
March 26,2023
Week 4: Repentance & Restoration
Jeff Griffin
John 21:15-17
Deconstruction is a journey where we unpack, rethink, and examine our belief system. Wise, purposeful deconstruction can be healthy, but deconstruction without reconstruction often leads us down a dark path. Let’s continue to wrestle with our questions and doubts in a way that hopefully yields growth instead of destruction.
In honor of March Madness, what’s your favorite come-back story, either in sports, or a downand-out individual who came back into good graces?
1. Which significant detail did Jeff mention from John 21:9, as shown below, and what was Jesus trying to do there? (i.e., What was the parallel with Peter’s first denial found in John 18?)
“When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.” (John 21:9)
“The woman asked Peter, ‘You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?’ ‘No,’ he said, ‘I am not.’ Because it was cold, the household servants and the guards had made a charcoal fire. They stood around it, warming themselves, and Peter stood with them, warming himself.” (John 18:17-18)
2. Jeff said, “The temptation to minimize failure is very real for all of us, but it’s always the wrong path.” What are some possible reasons we try to explain away our sin?
3. Peter denied Jesus three times, and after the resurrection Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him, followed by specific instructions about caring for His flock. (See John 21:14-17.) Why do you think it was so important for Jesus to repeat these instructions to Peter?
4. What do Jesus’ grace-filled words in that scenario say about the power of true repentance — especially when it comes to forgiving our sins? How does that counteract the lies from the enemy that say our prior nasty, embarrassing sins are much too great for God to forgive?
5. It is one thing to say we will follow Jesus; it’s another thing to willfully commit our lives to Him. What would you say if Jesus asked you, “Do you love me? Do you really love me? Are you even my friend?” How might God be calling you to be used by Him to be a world-changer?
There was absolutely nothing Peter could do to fix his situation on his own, except throw himself at the mercy of Jesus, which is exactly what he did. And Jesus forgave him, just as He can forgive each of us. How can your small group support you in taking your next step of faithful obedience to Christ, whatever that might look like?