3 Day Bible Reading Plan - “Encouragement in Friendship”
“We need people who: remind us of who we are, affirm our strengths, and push us into the future. Imagine a world where people only become as much as others affirm they can be. That’s a sobering thought. What would the world look like if we only grew to the level others believe we could? I don’t think the world would be a great place. We underestimate the power of affirmation and encouragement.” - Pastor Paul Crandell, 10/12/25
Day 1
Featured Verse: John 21:1-3 - “Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’”
What does the disciples’ return to fishing reveal about their understanding of their purpose and mission after Jesus’ resurrection?
In what ways does this passage illustrate the tension between returning to familiar routines and embracing the transformative call of discipleship?
What does this passage suggest about God’s presence and purpose in the mundane or ordinary aspects of life, such as returning to work like fishing?
Pause and Reflect: How do you discern when God is calling you to step out of your comfortable, familiar routines and embrace a new or renewed purpose in your life?
“Let us compare this appearance with those that went before. In those Christ showed himself to his disciples when they were met in a solemn assembly (it should seem, for religious worship) upon a Lord's day, and when they were all together, perhaps expecting his appearing; but in this he showed himself to some of them occasionally, upon a week-day, when they were fishing, and little thought of it.” - Matthew Henry
Day 2
Featured Verse: John 21:4-8 - “Jesus said to them, ‘Children, do you have any fish?’”
How does the miraculous catch of fish in John 21:4-8 serve as a theological reminder to Peter of his initial encounter with Jesus in Luke 5, and what does this suggest about God’s faithfulness in reaffirming His call?
What does Jesus’ intentional recreation of a miraculous catch reveal about His desire to restore Peter’s faith and commitment after his denial and return to fishing?
What theological significance lies in Jesus’ choice to meet Peter in the context of fishing, a symbol of his former life, to reaffirm his apostolic calling?
Pause and Reflect: How might Jesus be using the ordinary or familiar aspects of your daily life to call you back to a deeper trust in His purpose for you?
“John, the evangelist and apostle, who wrote this book, and who is meant by the disciple whom Jesus loved, because of his love to Christ, and Christ's particular love to him; he first discerned that it was the Lord, being more quick-sighted, and having a greater spiritual scent and taste for divine things than Peter and the rest of the disciples; and which he declared to Peter, not out of vainglory, but to stir up and quicken him to hasten to him: now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord; that is, heard John say that it was the Lord, he was at once convinced and persuaded of it; being, though a little slow of heart to believe all that the prophets had written concerning Christ, yet, when he had once got a sight of him, he was strong in the faith, and could not be moved from it.” - John Gill
Day 3
Featured Verse: John 21:9-17 - “Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’”
What does the threefold questioning of Peter’s love signify theologically about Christ’s approach to healing Peter’s guilt and shame from his earlier denials?
How does Jesus’ command to “Feed my lambs” and “Tend my sheep” serve as a reaffirmation of Peter’s calling, and what does this reveal about Christ’s grace in restoring flawed disciples?
What does Jesus’ personal engagement with Peter in this passage teach about the role of divine encouragement in empowering believers to overcome failure and embrace their God-given mission?
Pause and Reflect: How can you open your heart to Jesus’ restoring love, as Peter did, when you feel weighed down by failures? What steps can you take to embrace His encouragement to fulfill your calling?
“The question which our Lord puts to Peter here is a very humbling one, and is founded on that declaration which this apostle had made some time before, that though all should be offended with Christ, yet he would not; and that though he should die with him, he would not deny him. Our Lord now calls him by his original name, Simon—not Peter, the name which Christ had given him, signifying a rock, because his conduct on that occasion had shown that he was rather a reed, easily shaken by fear.” - Adam Clarke
“It is very gracious on our Lord’s part to come and breakfast with his disciples, and next, to begin asking of the chief of them, 'Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?' There is no more questioning now about that matter; Christ does not say, 'Simon, son of Jonas, why didst thou deny me?' No, that is all passed; and now the question is, 'Lovest thou me?' The practical point pressed home upon the apostle’s heart is, 'Lovest thou me? Lovest thou me? Lovest thou me?' Three times is that question put, because Peter had denied his Lord three times; and now he must make a threefold confession of his love.” - Charles Spurgeon