The Best Is Not Behind You!
Pastor Steven Furtick
Sermon Summary
Wondering if the best parts of your life are already behind you? Grieving what used to be? This week, Pastor Steven continued in John 21 to remind you: Past mistakes, missed opportunities, and comparison don’t get to steal your hope when you walk with Jesus. God’s still writing your story, and there's more ahead than you realize.
Sermon Highlights
Purpose doesn’t peak.
Thinking, “Is the best behind me?” can happen in seasons of success AND failure.
Sometimes, when you say “ruined,” God says “ready.” The thing you think would disqualify you is actually the thing that developed you.
Jesus is trying to move Peter from position to purpose.
Jesus offers 3 things in John 21:
There will always be something to eat, and there will always be someone to feed — God has called you to eat and to feed.
All eating, no feeding, you get weak. All feeding, no eating, you get weary.
The best is not behind you; it’s just inside you.
More faith means less control.
Hold loosely to your future, and follow closely to the One who holds your future.
Sometimes the Lord pulls you aside to give you a purpose. If you are always reachable to people, how will you be accessible to God?
It’s impossible to follow Jesus when you’re facing John.
Turn around. The best is not behind you.
I don't have to do anything but two words: “Follow me.”
Scriptures
Read this week’s Scriptures. Ask your group what stands out to them.
Sermon Discussion
Conversation Starter
Choose the one that works best for your group!
Pastor Steven’s message made the point that the best is not behind you. What’s something you’re better at now than you were ten years ago?
What’s a hobby or skill you’d still love to learn, no matter how old you get?
What’s something you tried for the first time recently that you wish you’d discovered sooner?
Discussion Questions
“Sometimes, when you say ‘ruined,’ God says ‘ready.’ The thing you think would disqualify you is actually the thing that developed you.” How has God used a difficult season to prepare you for something you didn’t see coming?
“All eating, no feeding, you get weak. All feeding, no eating, you get weary.” Which do you need to make more room for right now: receiving from God or sharing what He’s given you? What could that look like this week?
“The best is not behind you; it’s just inside you.” How could you use what God’s already given you to make a difference this week?
“Purpose doesn’t peak.” Where might you be limiting what God can do through you because of your age, circumstances, or past?
“More faith means less control.” Share a time when you trusted God without knowing how things would turn out. What did that experience teach you about Him?
“Sometimes the Lord pulls you aside to give you a purpose.” What’s one boundary that could help you be more present with God this week?
“There will always be something to eat, and there will always be someone to feed — God has called you to eat and to feed.” What has God taught you through a past experience that could help someone facing something similar?
Prayer Prompt
Ask your eGroup if they have any prayer requests or praise reports they’d like to share, and include them in your closing prayer.
Pray this prayer over your eGroup to close, and/or send it to them throughout the week to let them know you’re praying for them!
Lord, thank You for our conversation today and for the reminder that our best is not behind us because You are in control of our futures. Thank You for your grace, so that when we may feel disqualified, we can trust that You’re preparing us for what you’re calling us into. As we go throughout our week, please help us continue to surrender our plans to You, trust that You have a purpose for us, and seek opportunities not only to be filled by You but also to pour into others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Additional Content
Here’s some additional content you can use to encourage your group this week.
Go Deeper: Original Biblical Language
The Greek word “ginosko” (γινώσκω) is one of several Greek words for knowledge. Unlike other words for knowledge, this knowledge is based on experience and relationship. Pastor Steven shared how this knowledge shows that Jesus knew everything about Peter, including his past mistakes. Peter had to process these things with Jesus so that he didn’t drag his past mistake into his next opportunity. What’s a past mistake you need to talk through with Jesus so you can move forward into what He’s calling you to do?