The 911 Handbook
Study Guide Answers
Lesson 17/Chapter 15
When You Feel Like Complaining: The Empty-Net Syndrome
Answers are written in italics
We can choose to be either an optimist or a pessimist on empty net days.
The pessimist says: "We wasted the day because we didn’t catch anything."
The optimist says: "God had a reason why we didn’t catch anything."
Every situation can be viewed from God’s perspective or a human viewpoint. Discuss how viewpoint can determine whether a person becomes an optimist or a pessimist.
If we look at our circumstances from a human point of view, we are limited in our perspective. This causes us to only view surface issues and blinds us from seeing a higher purpose, which makes us pessimistic.
If we see our circumstances from God's perspective, we realize that He has purposes beyond our human understanding. By submitting ourselves and our circumstances to God, we trust Him to be in control. Trusting God's higher purpose for our situations makes us optimistic.
From God’s perspective, what was the primary reason Charles Francis Adams needed to take his son fishing?
God wanted him to have fun with his son, but apparently he was more interested in catching fish. He looked at the day as wasted and missed the opportunity of having fun with his son.
Discuss why we need to look beyond our human viewpoint in order to keep our attitudes right.
God has reasons for our circumstances that aren't always obvious to us. We must look beyond our human viewpoint to see what God is doing.
The pessimist says: "The fish aren’t out there. It won’t do any good."
The optimist says: "I will trust and obey, though I don’t understand."
Discuss several reasons why it was God’s will for them to fish all night and not catch anything.
1. They would have missed meeting Jesus because they would be too busy unloading their fish to take to the marketplace.
2. Jesus wanted to use an empty boat to preach to the multitudes on shore.
3. They would have no need for Jesus to perform a miracle.
4. Peter might have continued to fish for fish instead of fishing for men.
Why do you think Peter decided to let down the nets again after they had worked all night and caught nothing?
He believed that if he cast out the nets again, he would either make Jesus look foolish or a miracle would occur.
Why does God sometimes allow us to exhaust our resources before He performs a miracle?
He allows us to come to the end of our resources many times to prove He is the one who makes the provision. Because they hadn’t caught anything after fishing all night, they understood that God put the fish inside the nets when they went out a second time.
The pessimist says: "Look at the nets!"
The optimist says: "Look at the fish!"
How can the object of our attention determine whether we complain or rejoice?
If we only focus our attention on our problems such as broken nets, it will lead to complaining. If we focus on positive things like God’s provision, it will lead to rejoicing.
How can focusing upon our blessings (fish) reduce the burden of our problems (broken nets)?
It creates a larger, more positive perspective. When we focus on God’s blessings, it helps us see our problems are only a small part of a much bigger picture.
The pessimist says: "God is sinking our boats!"
The optimist says: "God is blessing our boats!"
Why did God allow them to catch so many fish that it filled the boat and began to sink?
To show the He is able to provide beyond our means to contain it.
What are "good" problems?
"Good" problems are the kind of "problems" we want to have. They are responsibilities that come to us as a result of being blessed. God blessed their boat with such an abundance of fish that they needed help.
The pessimist says: "I’m not a bad person!"
The optimist says: "I’m a sinful man!"
Why does a pessimist think he's not a bad person?
The pessimist always wants to cover up his true condition. He blames everyone else for his problems, but refuses to think anything is wrong with himself.
Why did Peter call Jesus "Master" in verse 5, but called him "Lord" in verse 8?
After the miracle was performed, Peter realized Jesus wasn’t just a "master" but was Lord. When he saw the holiness of Jesus, he recognized himself as a sinful man.
The pessimist says: "I am losing my fishing business!"
The optimist says: "I am gaining eternal life!"
Why would they leave everything behind after they caught the tremendous haul of fish?
They realized that following Jesus was better than staying in the fishing business. They had found a new reason to live, fishing for men instead of fish.
Why weren't they worried about the loss of income if they followed Jesus?
They were convinced if Jesus could provide that many fish, then He could provide all their other needs as well.
List some things we can do to change our attitudes from pessimistic to optimistic?
1. We can thank God for each of our blessings every day.
2. We can stop seeing the negative in every situation and start looking for the positive instead.
3. We can stop complaining when things don’t go our way.
4. We can trust God when the nets are empty that He is in control and has reasons we might not understand.