Peter Disowns Jesus – Luke 22:54-62

How was Peter’s denial of Christ different from Judas’ betrayal of Jesus?

Bible Reading

Luke 22:54-62

54  Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed at a distance.

55  Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.

56  And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.”

57  But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.”

58  And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!”

59  Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.”

60  But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

61  And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”

62  So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

(NKJ)

 

Food for Thought

1.   How does peer pressure affect our decisions?

2.   In what circumstances have you felt pressured into going along with the opinions of your friends?

3.   How do we deny Christ today?

 

Bible Study

4.   For what reason did Peter follow Jesus at a distance? (22:54)

5.   Of what did the servant girl accuse Peter? (22:56)

6.   How did Peter respond to the servant girl? (22:57)

7.   How many times was Peter accused of knowing Jesus? (22:56-59)

8.   How did Peter respond to the second and third accusations put to him? (22:58-60)

9.   Why did the third person suspect Peter was a follower of Jesus? (22:59)

10. What happened when Peter denied Jesus the third time? (22:60-61)

11. What caused Peter to remember Jesus earlier prediction? (22:60-61)

12. What did Jesus do the third time Peter denied knowing him? (22:61)

13. Why was Peter so upset and bitter about his actions? (22:61-62)

14. How did Peter respond to the realisation that he had denied Jesus? (22:62)

 

Kingdom Dynamics

15. What would make Peter deny knowing Jesus, when he said earlier he was willing to die for him?

16. Did any of the disciples admit to knowing Jesus during his arrest?

17. What dangers have you experienced in following Jesus too closely?

18. If you could put in a good word for Peter, what would it be?

19. What kind of look do you think Jesus gave Peter?

20. Have you ever felt Jesus looking at you?

21. Why do you think Jesus prayed for Peter beforehand that his faith would not fail?

22. What do you suppose was the impact of this failure on Peter’s future?

23. In what way has failure changed you?

24. What failure in your past comes closest to being a watershed in your life like that of Peter?

25. When have you done something because of peer pressure, then later regretted it?

26. In what circumstances are other people able to influence us to act in ways we know we should not?

27. How was Peter’s denial of Christ different from Judas’ betrayal of Jesus?

28. What can we do to stand against the pressure of others to do things we know are wrong?

29. How should we respond when we fail to obey Christ?

30. What can we learn about repentance from Peter’s example in this story?

31. How would you define true repentance?

32. What methods does God use to make us aware of ways we need to change?

 

Practical Christianity

33. What could you do this week to strengthen your stand for Christ in the face of pressure from others?

34. In the future, how could you encourage another believer who has done something wrong but shows a willingness to repent?