Our Savior Lutheran Church

Welcome

In this study we will reflect on the life of the apostle Peter and what he can teach us. Though God will never choose one of us to be among those who laid the foundation of the church of Jesus Christ, He has chosen all of us to become men of God. Peter is one New Testament personality who points the way. The apostle Paul spoke for all such men when he wrote, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

To Get Us Started

We live in a culture that wants things now. We don’t want to wait even for spiritual maturity. Two millennia ago, neither did the apostle Peter. In that respect Peter and we are like impatient children. God had to slow Peter down and get his attention through failure. Hopefully we can learn without as much pain.

1. When you were growing up, which of these was hardest for you to wait for? Why?

2. In your childhood neighborhood who was the natural leader who influenced all the other guys? What was the biggest mess he ever got you all into?

The Word

The following words from Scripture trace certain key encounters between Peter and Jesus that shaped this tough-minded businessman into one of God’s greatest servants.

A New Name

[40] Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. [41] The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). [42] And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter). --John 1:40-42

Penetrating Accountability Questions

[27] "You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written:

" 'I will strike the shepherd,

and the sheep will be scattered.'

[28] But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."

[29] Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not."

[30] "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today--yes, tonight--before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times."

[31] But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same.

[32] They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." [33] He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. [34] "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."

[35] Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. [36] "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

[37] Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? [38] Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." --Mark 14:27-38

Peter’s Ultimate

[54] Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. [55] But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. [56] A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him."

[57] But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said.

[58] A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them."

"Man, I am not!" Peter replied.

[59] About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean."

[60] Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. --Luke 22:54-60

Brokenness And Restoration

[15] When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"

"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

[16] Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"

He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

[17] The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. [18] I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." [19] Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!" --John 21:15-19

Observations

Jesus took a tough-minded, successful businessman with a lot of raw talent and many rough edges and eventually changed him into a hard-hitting servant of God. It took time, but it happened. Underneath all that coarse exterior was a soft heart and a lot of love. Jesus changed him form the inside out.

Jesus also wants to change you and me.

Observation 1

No matter what your previous experience, Jesus Christ can use you to serve Him.

God specializes in transforming our hearts, redirecting our self-centered energy, and reshaping our raw talent and abilities to achieve His purposes in this world. He did this for Peter and for the other men who followed Him. They were all different and unique. Only Judas Iscariot turned his back on Jesus.

Each of us is created in God’s image but with distinct reflections of His unfathomable and indescribable personality. When we were brought to faith in Jesus Christ, God didn’t change our individual uniqueness. Instead He uses those unique qualities to create a special member of His church, the body of Christ. The church’s diversity with unity is to continue, but under the control of the Holy Spirit. We will see God’s purpose unfold in the unique personality of Peter.

Observation 2

It takes time to become the man God wants you to become.

As far as we know, Peter and his brother, Andrew, grew up in a good Jewish family. They had been taught the Law of Moses. The promise of the coming Messiah was not a strange concept to these men. When Peter began to follow Christ, it took several years for God to deal with his self-sufficiency, pride, and prejudice. Thankfully, the Lord could use him during this “growing up” period – when he “spoke like a child,” “thought like a child,” and “reasoned like a child” (1 Corinthians 13:11). When Peter “became a man,” God used him to the full.

Even when Peter failed Jesus the most, he didn’t allow Satan to keep him in a state of defeat and despair. The important question is, “What steps are you taking to forget “what is behind” and to set as your “goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14)?

Observation 3

Prejudice is one of the most difficult challenges many men face in their Christian lives.

Five years after Pentecost, the Lord confronted Peter about his prejudice against Gentiles (Acts 10:1-36). When Peter obeyed the Lord and abandoned his bias, the rest of the church followed Peter’s lead. It was one of his finest moments.

Two things are certain: 1. No man is mature in Christ who is prejudiced against others; 2. God cannot use a man to the full if he allows this sin to continue and to affect his attitudes and actions toward others.

To Discuss

1. Which of these characteristics of Peter do you identify with most strongly? Why?

2. Which of these reasons do you think best explains why Jesus renamed Simon “The Rock”? Explain your choice.

3. Why do you think Peter got so defensive when Jesus predicted he would deny Him? What are some better ways Peter might have responded?

4. When Jesus asked Peter to pray with Him at Gethsemane, what personal benefit did Jesus hope Peter would gain from that prayer session?

5. How do you think each of these affected Peter’s denial of Jesus?

6. What do you imagine Peter thought about his relationship with God after he had denied Jesus three times?

7. Jesus let Peter affirm his love for Him three times – the same number of times as he had denied Him. What do you think that accomplished for Peter?

8. At what points in these stories do you identify most closely with Peter? Why?

9. Which of these three observations about spiritual growth challenges you most? Why?

a. No matter what your previous experience, Jesus Christ can use you to serve Him.

b. It takes time to become the man God wants you to be.

c. Prejudice is one of the most difficult challenges many men face in their Christian lives.

Going Deeper

10. How has God used failure in your life to make you more humble and compassionate in your attitudes toward others?

11. What do you sense God is trying to change about you now? What do you think He wants to accomplish as a result of this change?

Peter was brash and impulsive, but he wasn’t a fool. He was a natural leader whom Jesus prepared to play a key role in establishing the church. Jesus is at work preparing each of us for the role He has for us in His body.

12. What are some of the key elements in your education and background that you see God using in your service for Him?

13. What prejudices did you learn in your family and community as you grew up? How do you think you can tell when God has overcome these in your life?

14. Pray that each man here will cooperate with God patiently and hopefully during the lifelong process of becoming the men God wants us to be.