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RESET 2

“Stop fighting, and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.” —Psalm 46:10

Our first meeting focused on the concept of fighting. The word “fighting” here could also be translated as “striving” or “be quiet.” Even those of us who may not be in an intense battle feel the pressure from an outside culture obsessed with striving or finding identity in how much and how well we can get things done.

The culture of the sports world takes this pressure to the next level. We concentrate on working, practicing, improving, training, and playing as much as we can, frequently disregarding the physical, emotional, and spiritual damage this performance-based identity may create. In a world that screams for more effort for fulfillment and purpose, God lovingly and wisely invites us to cease striving, stop, and be quiet.

Key Scriptures: Luke 22:54–62; Matthew 26:69–75

Following Jesus’s initial call in the boat, Peter becomes one of Jesus’s inner circle. He has a courtside seat to the action, and he is a key figure alongside Jesus in many of the defining moments of His earthly ministry. However, Peter still has his struggles, missteps, and major mistakes. Perhaps the biggest is what we read in Luke 22 and Matthew 26. After assuring Jesus of his total loyalty, when the moment of true testing arrives, Peter fails; he denies knowing Jesus three times. Luke tells us that he “wept bitterly.” Peter blew it, and he knew it.

Even those of us who have been called by Jesus and who love him will be tempted to deny Jesus by our words or actions when the time of testing comes. This could happen with your team, your coaching staff, your family, and your parents. The shame and guilt following those moments can be powerful.

• Think about a time when you messed up. How did you process the feelings of guilt and shame?
• In that moment, how were you processing your relationship with the Father? How do you think He saw you in your moments of sin and failure?

Go to John 21:2–19 and read it aloud.

Do you see any similarities to the text we read in Reset 1? How about the text we read above? This entire scene seems to be a reenactment of Jesus’s initial call of Peter and a threefold affirmation of Peter’s love for Jesus to cover his threefold denial of Jesus at His trial. Jesus demonstrates that despite Peter’s sins and failures, Jesus wanted to restore him and use him for Kingdom purposes.

• What do you think Peter is feeling as Jesus asks him these questions, presumably in front of the others?
• Where do you need forgiveness and restoration to move forward in your kingdom assignment?

Be Free: “So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.” —John 8:36

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” —2 Corinthians 3:17

Jesus came to end our guilt, sin, and shame forever. He has covered our sins through His vicarious atoning sacrifice on the cross; He has punched through the curse of death by coming out the other side; and He has poured out the Holy Spirit into our lives, giving us new hearts that desire to please the Lord. In our sins and failures, we can run to him for forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration. First John 1:9 says that He is faithful and just to forgive our sins when we come to Him and confess. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ!

Come back to Jesus. Pour out and confess your heart to Him. He will forgive you, restore you, and send you into Kingdom service just like He did for Peter.