Following Jesus · Part 38 of 40 · 3 min
Breakfast and a New Beginning
Some of Jesus' disciples went fishing on the Sea of Galilee. They worked all night but caught nothing.
Water moved around their boat.
In the morning, Jesus stood on the shore. At first they did not know it was him.
He told them to cast the net on the right side of the boat. When they did, it filled with fish.
One disciple recognized Jesus. Peter was so eager to reach him that he went into the water and headed for shore.
Jesus had prepared a charcoal fire, with fish and bread. He invited his tired friends to eat.
The charcoal fire crackled beside the breakfast.
After the meal, Jesus spoke with Peter. Three times he asked whether Peter loved him.
Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times. Now Jesus gave him a chance to answer with love and a new task: care for his sheep.
That meant caring for the people who belonged to him.
“Take care of my sheep.”
Peter's failure had not erased Jesus' love. Forgiveness came with an invitation to begin again and serve.
When we are forgiven, we can grow more gentle toward others. Jesus helps us use what we have learned to care for someone else.
Retelling of John 21:1–19.
Supporting reading: The Desire of Ages, chapter 85. Open the book
Talk about it together
- Forgiveness
- Service
- What had Jesus prepared on shore for his tired friends?
- How do you think Peter felt when given a new chance to serve?
- How can learning from a mistake help us care for someone?
Activity · 2–5 minutes
A New Caring Task
With a grown-up, think of a small task you want to learn better, such as putting away a game. Practice together and decide how to ask for help if you make a mistake. Remember that learning can help us care better.
Try it today: We can learn from our mistakes and begin helping gently again.
More stories with these values
Put the story in order
Open the interactive activity or prepare a printable sheet for home, classroom, or family.
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