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Back to Breakfast on the Beach: Jesus Restores Peter

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# Breakfast on the Beach: Jesus Restores Peter

*A middle school lesson on John 21:1-19, about 40 minutes.*

## Hook

Ask: have you ever let a friend down and then had to see them the next day? What did that first conversation feel like? Give a minute for two or three stories.

## The story

Read John 21:1-14 aloud, with students taking turns by paragraph.

Point out the details:

- The disciples go back to fishing. They are going back to their old life.
- They catch nothing all night, just like the day Jesus first called them (Luke 5).
- Jesus is on the shore, cooking. The risen Lord of the universe makes breakfast.
- There is a charcoal fire. The last time Peter stood by a charcoal fire, he denied Jesus three times (John 18:18).

## Three questions, three answers

Read John 21:15-19.

Jesus asks Peter "Do you love me?" three times, once for each denial. Ask students why Jesus does not simply say, "It is fine, forget about it." Help them see that Jesus is not shaming Peter. He is undoing the denial, one answer at a time, and then giving Peter a job: "Feed my sheep."

## The big idea

Jesus does not just forgive Peter; he restores him and sends him. The resurrection means failure is not the end of your story.

## Activity

Give each student an index card. On one side, they write (privately) something they wish they could undo. On the other side, they write Jesus' words: "Follow me." They keep the card.

## Discussion

1. Why do you think Peter went back to fishing?
2. What does it say about Jesus that he made breakfast?
3. Jesus gave Peter a job right after forgiving him. What might that mean for you?

## Close

Pray that each student would hear Jesus inviting them to follow, especially if they feel they have failed him.