TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter). John 1:42b
Read: John 1:40-42
Listen: John 1
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Simon hears from his brother that the Messiah has come. When Andrew brings Simon to Jesus, Jesus looks at him, tells him who he is, but then gives him a new name. It’s more than a name change. Jesus sees what Simon can be if he lets Jesus work in his life. Jesus spends three years shaping Peter, yet Peter famously betrays Jesus. God then uses Peter to spread the good news of Jesus in the first century. It isn’t that Peter doesn’t have flaws, but God is willing to work through the mess in Peter’s life to form him.
We often don’t think like this. It can be easy to think God focuses on our flaws when he thinks of us. And we all have plenty. It is difficult to believe that God sees us like he saw Simon. Jesus sees us for what we can become if we follow him. Like Peter, God has something he wants to do through us. He has someone he wants to reshape us into. Jesus walked with Peter for three years. Watch this video clip as Pastor Jeff Manion explains how God gives us a church community to walk with us. God uses other people to help us grow. It’s often the people closest to us who can encourage us to continue to follow Jesus because they see our potential.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Lean into your church community. If you aren’t in a small group, join one here. If you’re already in a small group, connect with your group members to discuss how the group can be a place where you encourage each other to be the people Jesus wants you to be.
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.
PHILIPPIANS 4:5b–7
The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
