Epilogue
Broken and restored

The Restoration of Peter
Sunday - April 12th

This Sunday Simon Lace brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.

Readings
Luke 22:31-34 (NLT)
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

John 21:15-19 (NLT)
After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”
“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.
A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”

Questions to Consider

What do you make of Jesus’s statement that Satan had asked to sift the disciples like wheat, and that Jesus had prayed for them?
Why do you think Jesus singled Simon Peter out with the words “Simon, Simon…”
What do you make of Jesus giving Simon the name Peter. Note: Jesus would be speaking in Aramaic, using the name “Cephas”, whereas John wrote this exchange in Greek, using “Petros”. Both Cephas and Petros mean rock, or stone.
How do you think Peter would have felt when Jesus said he would deny knowing him? And what about later, when the rooster crowed, or later still, when Jesus was crucified?
What do you think were Jesus’s reasons for appearing this third time to the disciples, after his resurrection? What was the point of this ‘epilogue’ to his earthly ministry?
Do you see any significance in Jesus asking Peter three times if he loved him?
Given that they would have been speaking in Aramaic, and that John was writing in Greek, what significance can you find in John’s use of the word “agapas” (love) when Jesus asks the question the first two times, and the use of the word phileo (love) every time Peter answers (and the third time Jesus asks)?
Is there anything in your life that needs restoration? Is this something that you/others bring to God in prayer?

Prayer
Loving God, we thank you that you want to see healing, redemption and restoration. We bring before you those things in our lives, and the lives of those whom we love, which need your healing touch. Lord Jesus, please come and restore, even make better than before, all of the people and circumstances that only you can make whole and good and beautiful again. Amen.

Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click to see more

Visitors click here

Planning your Visit

I am New

Welcome from all of us at Easthampstead Baptist Church!

Thank you for taking the time to learn a little more about us. As you explore our website, we hope that you catch a broader glimpse of what EBC is all about. It's about people - people just like you - who want to embark on a journey to discover more of God and his will for our lives.

What should I expect on a Sunday Morning?

Sometimes going to a church for the first time can be a little daunting. I promise we won't bite! To help ease any uncertainties below are the answers to some common questions people have before attending a Sunday morning.

What do I have to wear?

We are a 'come as you are' sort of people and have no formal dress-code for our Sunday services.
We can assure you that we don't have bouncers on the door vetting your attire!
If you are still not sure, feel free to check out our services on YouTube to have an idea.

What time do I need to be there?
At the moment we have one Sunday morning service which starts at 10.00am.

On the 4th Sunday of the month we run our All-sorts service which starts at 10:00am.

Check out our other services below!

Services

We would recommend you turn up 10 minutes before the service starts so you have a chance to say hi!
If you have children that need signing in to the children and youth work, they need to be signed in from 9:50am.

Parking

There is plenty of parking both out the front and at the back of the building. Just follow the signs!

How safe is my child in your care?

We run separate children and youth work during our 10:00am service, which is run by a group of volunteers who have all been DBS checked.

Children ages 11 and under must be signed in and out by their parent/carer. The youth can sign themselves in and out.

More information

For information about our safeguarding policy click here

Epilogue Broken and restored

The Restoration of Peter Sunday - April 12th