This Week: August 18-23
Agony of Denial
In John 21:15–19, the resurrected Jesus sits with Peter after breakfast and asks him three times: “Do you love me?” Each time Peter affirms his love, Jesus responds, “Feed my lambs. Tend my sheep. Feed my sheep.”
Feed my lambs...
This is more than a restoration after Peter’s denial; it’s a graduation. The disciple who had spent years learning from Jesus is now called to shepherd others. Peter’s days of only receiving are over—now he must give.
Jesus makes it clear: the mission cannot rest on Him alone. For the Gospel to spread, others must step forward as shepherds. Peter’s call is our call: those who have received are now sent to share.
Jesus makes it clear: the mission cannot rest on Him alone. For the Gospel to spread, others must step forward as shepherds. Peter’s call is our call: those who have received are now sent to share.
Table of Contents
Key Points:
- From Learner to Leader – Discipleship moves us from receiving to giving, from following to leading.
- Love Requires Action – To love Jesus is to care for His people.
- The Mission Multiplies – The Gospel spreads when we each take responsibility to shepherd those entrusted to us.
5-Day Devotional
Day 1: Do You Love Me?
Scripture Reference: John 21:15 – “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my lambs.’”
Peter’s love for Jesus had to be more than words—it required action.
Action Step: Consider how your love for Christ is expressed. Is it only spoken, or is it lived out?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, help me to love You not just with my lips but with my life.
Peter’s love for Jesus had to be more than words—it required action.
Action Step: Consider how your love for Christ is expressed. Is it only spoken, or is it lived out?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, help me to love You not just with my lips but with my life.
Day 2: Restored for Purpose
Scripture Reference: John 21:17 – “The third time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ He said, ‘Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep.’”
Peter had denied Jesus three times, and here Jesus restores him three times. Grace isn’t just forgiveness—it’s a call to step forward again.
Action Step: Recall a past failure. Ask God how He might be using it to prepare you for service.
Prayer Prompt: Father, thank You for restoring me and giving me purpose despite my failures.
Peter had denied Jesus three times, and here Jesus restores him three times. Grace isn’t just forgiveness—it’s a call to step forward again.
Action Step: Recall a past failure. Ask God how He might be using it to prepare you for service.
Prayer Prompt: Father, thank You for restoring me and giving me purpose despite my failures.
Day 3: From Receiving to Giving
Scripture Reference: Acts 20:35 – “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
The disciples had spent years receiving from Jesus. Now it was their turn to give.
Action Step: Identify one way you can give to someone else this week—time, encouragement, or help.
Prayer Prompt: Lord, move me from a receiver of blessings to a sharer of blessings.
The disciples had spent years receiving from Jesus. Now it was their turn to give.
Action Step: Identify one way you can give to someone else this week—time, encouragement, or help.
Prayer Prompt: Lord, move me from a receiver of blessings to a sharer of blessings.
Day 4: Shepherding Others
Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 5:2–3 – “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
Peter himself would later teach others to shepherd with humility and willingness.
Action Step: Think of one person God may be entrusting to your care. How can you serve as an example for them today?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, help me shepherd those You place in my path with grace and humility.
Peter himself would later teach others to shepherd with humility and willingness.
Action Step: Think of one person God may be entrusting to your care. How can you serve as an example for them today?
Prayer Prompt: Lord, help me shepherd those You place in my path with grace and humility.
Day 5: Following Jesus’ Lead
Scripture Reference: John 21:19 – “Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’”
Even at the end of the conversation, the call remains the same: “Follow me.” Discipleship is never finished; it is a lifelong journey.
Action Step: Reflect on how you are following Jesus today. Where is He leading you next?
Prayer Prompt: Jesus, wherever You lead, I will follow.
Even at the end of the conversation, the call remains the same: “Follow me.” Discipleship is never finished; it is a lifelong journey.
Action Step: Reflect on how you are following Jesus today. Where is He leading you next?
Prayer Prompt: Jesus, wherever You lead, I will follow.
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