Start Up Failure isn’t fun to think about. In a performance-based culture, many of us wish we could forget our worst grades, biggest mistakes, and worst failures, even though these things stick with us for a long time. But what if God wanted to use our failures to realign and redefine us in a big way? Let’s continue the conversation started this week. On a scale of 1-10, how far do you go with setting up Christmas decorations (1 being the Grinch and 10 being Clark Griswold)? When do you set things up? Today we’re talking about failure and it’s right after Thanksgiving. Share a cooking fail you had a hand in. What were you trying to make and what happened? Discuss Together What’s one thing in your past, big or small, you wish you could get a “do over” on? If you could go back, what would you do differently? Read Luke 22:54-62. Just a bit earlier, Peter declared to Jesus he would never deny Him. What do you think happened that caused Peter to do what he did in this passage? How does the passage describe Peter’s reaction once he realizes his big failure? Put yourself in his shoes. How would you feel? How would this affect you? Talk about a time when you’ve seen a person unable to get past a big failure they’ve had. In what way did that person’s inability to move on affect them? Read John 21:15-19. Why is it significant that Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him three times? What is Jesus doing here? How is Jesus’ view of failure different than our culture’s view of failure? How do we tend to view those who have messed up big time? Have you seen a failure in your life become an opportunity to connect or minister to someone else? Share with the group. How do you handle your own failure? Do you think you handle it in a healthy or unhealthy way? Is there a failure in your life that has turned into a source of shame and guilt? If you are open to it, share with the group. LIVE BIG God uses failure to redefine us based on His love instead of what we do or don’t do. And God uses failure to realign us to His love and His purposes. Take a moment to pray, offering up your messes and mistakes to God, knowing He is the great redeemer and restorer.