John 21:1–17

“Feed My Sheep”

the resurrected Jesus Christ with His arms around the shoulder Peter

The resurrected Lord appeared to His disciples while they were fishing on the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee). On the shore, Jesus ate with them and invited Peter to demonstrate his love for Him by feeding His sheep. This lesson can help you show your love for the Savior as you strive to minister to others like He did.

Student preparation: Invite students to read John 21:15–17 at home with family members or friends and to discuss what it means to feed the Lord’s sheep.

Possible Learning Activities

“Lovest thou me more than these?” (John 21:15)

On a piece of paper or in your study journal, make a list of several things you did yesterday from when you woke up until you went to bed.

Next, cross out anything on your list that was only focused on you and your needs. Circle any activities that were focused on helping others. Take a minute to reflect on how you spend your time and what changes you could make to allow more time for helping others. As you study John 21, think about how you can minister to others as the Savior does.

John 21 records an account of Peter and six other disciples who went fishing on the Sea of Tiberias (Galilee) after Jesus Christ’s Resurrection. Read John 21:1–13, and look for how the Savior ministered to His disciples.

What did Jesus do to show His love and concern for the disciples?

Read John 21:15–17, looking for what the Lord asked Peter.

When Jesus asked Peter, “Lovest thou me more than these?” what do you think the word these referred to?

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles suggested that Jesus was referring to the boat, fishing nets, and the pile of 153 fish—that is, their old way of life before their call to the ministry (see “The First Great Commandment,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 84).
What truths can we learn from the Savior’s requests in John 21:15–17?

Students may identify a variety of truths, including this one: We can show our love for the Savior by feeding His sheep.
What do you think the Lord meant when He asked Peter to feed His lambs and sheep?

It may be helpful to remind students that substituting their name in the scriptures can help them personalize their scripture study and liken the scriptures to their own lives.

Read John 21:15–17 again, and substitute your name for Simon Peter’s name.

Consider displaying the following two questions and allowing students to silently ponder them. Or invite students to respond to them in their study journals. Provide an opportunity for students to express their love for the Savior by inviting a few to share their responses to the second question.

If Jesus asked you the same questions He asked Peter, what do you think He would refer to as “these” in your life?
What reasons do you have to love Jesus Christ more than anything else?

Feeding the Lord’s sheep

Invite students to share what they discussed as part of their preparation. Consider making a list on the board as students think of different ways to feed the Savior’s sheep.

What are some different ways to feed the Lord’s sheep and minister to others?

As you continue your study, think about who the Savior wants you to minister to. Watch the video “Feed My Sheep” by Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from time code 1:55 to 2:26 (available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org), or read his statement below.

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Jesus showed patience and love to all who came to Him seeking relief for their physical, emotional, or spiritual illnesses and who felt discouraged and downtrodden.

To follow the Savior’s example, each one of us must look around and reach out to the sheep who are facing the same circumstances and lift them up and encourage them to proceed on the journey towards eternal life.

This need today is as great as or perhaps even greater than when the Savior walked on this earth.

(Ulisses Soares, “Feed My Sheep,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 98)

Think of a time when someone reached out and ministered to you like the Savior would or when you tried to minister to someone else as He did.

How did this experience affect you?

The activity entitled “Sharing the gospel” in the “Supplemental Learning Activities” section could be used at this point in the lesson.

The resurrected Lord gave additional instructions to His Apostles. Read Matthew 28:19–20 and Mark 16:15, looking for another way the Savior asked them to minister to others.

Why do you think sharing the gospel is an important way to feed the Savior’s sheep?
How do you feel about sharing the gospel with others?

Some students might be afraid of sharing the gospel with others. Help students understand that it is normal to feel this way. Demonstrate empathy by relating to how they feel. The following statement from Elder Uchtdorf may also help.

Read the following statement by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

I am not asking that you stand on a street corner with a megaphone and shout out Book of Mormon verses. What I am asking is that you always look for opportunities to bring up your faith in natural and normal ways with people—both in person as well as online. …

There are many normal and natural ways to do this, from daily acts of kindness to personal testimonials on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to simple conversations with people you meet. …

In whatever ways seem natural and normal to you, share with people why Jesus Christ and His Church are important to you.

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Missionary Work: Sharing What Is in Your Heart,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 17)

What are some natural ways that you can share the gospel?

Consider inviting students to visit ChurchofJesusChrist.org/share for ideas of ways to share the gospel. Students could also share experiences they have had sharing the gospel with others.

Seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost as you ponder which of the Savior’s sheep you can minister to. You may think of neighbors, friends, people you are assigned to minister to, classmates, work acquaintances, or family members. Also consider people you may come across who are sitting alone or need assistance.

Which of Heavenly Father’s children need you now?
How can the Savior use you to help meet their needs?
How does it show your love to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ when you choose to minister to others?
How does feeding Their sheep help you become more like Them?

Give students time to prayerfully consider the questions above, and invite willing students to share some of their ideas.

Commentary and Background Information

How can we truly show the Lord that we love Him?

The Book of Mormon prophet King Benjamin taught that when we serve each other, we are truly serving God (see Mosiah 2:17). President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) declared:

In reality, you can never love the Lord until you serve Him by serving His people.

(Thomas S. Monson, “Great Expectations” [Brigham Young University devotional, Jan. 11, 2009], 6, speeches.byu.edu)

John 21:15–17. What is the significance of the Savior’s repeated instruction to feed His lambs and sheep?

President Russell M. Nelson shared these insights from the ancient Greek text of John 21:

In [John 21:15], the word feed comes from the Greek term bosko, which means “to nourish or to pasture.” The word lamb comes from the diminutive term arnion, meaning “little lamb.” …

In [John 21:16], the word feed comes from a different term, poimaino, which means “to shepherd, to tend, or to care.” The word sheep comes from the term probaton, meaning “mature sheep.” …

In [John 21:17], the word feed again comes from the Greek bosko, referring to nourishment. The word sheep was again translated from the Greek term probaton, referring to adult sheep.

These three verses, which seem so similar in the English language, really contain three distinct messages in Greek:

Little lambs need to be nourished in order to grow;

Sheep need to be tended;

Sheep need to be nourished.

(Russell M. Nelson, “Shepherds, Lambs, and Home Teachers,” Ensign, Aug. 1994, 16)

How can I feed His sheep?

There are countless ways to reach out and minister to others in love and kindness. For example, Sister Michelle D. Craig, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, prayed to know what more she could do to help God’s children. She had earlier received a prompting not to look at her phone while waiting in lines. Watch “Pray for Eyes to See as He Sees,” available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, or read the account below.

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The next morning, I found myself waiting in a long line at the store. I pulled out my phone and then remembered the impression I had received. I put my phone away and looked around. I saw an elderly gentleman in line ahead of me. His cart was empty except for a few cans of cat food. I felt a little awkward but said something really clever like, “I can see you have a cat.” He said that a storm was coming, and he did not want to be caught without cat food. We visited briefly, and then he turned to me and said, “You know, I haven’t told anyone this, but today is my birthday.” My heart melted. I wished him a happy birthday and offered a silent prayer of thanks that I had not been on my phone and missed an opportunity to truly see and connect with another person who needed it.

(Michelle D. Craig, “Eyes to See,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 16)