Bible Stories for Adults

Peter Denies Jesus

Matthew 26:69-75; John 18:15-18

Next Week - Jesus Before Pilate (Matthew 27:1-31)
Bible Words to Remember:
I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. Luke 22:32

How does Peter first enter the story of Jesus' ministry? = Son of John
John 1:35-37, 40-42 = Brother Andrew took him to Jesus, Jesus named him Peter
Why did Jesus give him this name? Because his faith was rock solid?
Matthew 16:18-19 = No, but He knew what Peter would become with the Spirit
What was Jesus responding to when He made this statement to Peter?
Matthew 16:13-16 = Peter had confessed that Jesus was the Christ, God's Son
Was this a sign of Peter's rock solid faith? = John was short for Jonah
Matthew 16:17 = No, God the Father had made Peter say that
How else do we see that Peter and the others didn't really understand what he had said?
Matthew 16:20 = Jesus told them not to tell others that He was the Christ

How did Peter later show a greater understanding of the meaning of being a rock of Jesus?
1 Peter 2:4-6 = We are living stones built on the living Stone into a spiritual house
How does Paul describe this concept? = Jesus is chief cornerstone, home of God's Spirit
Ephesians 2:19-22 = Holy temple built on foundations of apostles & prophets

Where was Simon (Peter) from?
John 1:44 = Bethsaida (house of fishing), fishing town on Sea of Galilee north shore
Where did Peter live when he met Jesus?
Mark 1:21, 29 = Capernaum, a town near Bethsaida, became Jesus' home base
What do we learn about Peter from the following story in Mark?
Mark 1:30-31 = He was married, Jesus healed his mother-in-law
Was Peter married throughout Jesus' ministry?
1 Corinthians 9:5 = Yes, he was married when Paul wrote 1 Cor (~55 AD)

What story tells us what Peter did in Capernaum? = Fish in deep during day, Only catch at night
Luke 5:1-7 = He was a fisherman; Huge catch after fruitless night
How did this event change Simon's life? = Simon & Andrew partners with James & John
Luke 5:8-11 = Repented to Jesus; left everything to follow Jesus as fisher of men

How many disciples did Jesus have? = Funk & Wagnalls v
Luke 6:17 = Large crowds - Disciple - Accepts or follows a doctrine or teacher
Did Jesus have a need to form a Life Group of a few disciples?
Luke 6:12-16 = Chose 12 apostles (one sent forth), Simon was one

Did Jesus feel especially close to any of His Life Group members?
Matthew 26:36-38 = Shared His sorrow with Peter, James and John
Where else do we see this inner circle?
Luke 8:51 = Only they went in with Jesus to raise Jairus' daughter
Luke 9:28-31 = Only they were present at Jesus' Transfiguration
Luke 22:8 = Peter & John prepared the Passover for Jesus' Last Supper

Did Jesus choose His inner circle because they best understood His purpose?
Mark 10:35-38 = James & John asked for places of honor in Jesus' kingdom
Jesus called Simon Rock. Did He give nicknames to James & John?
Mark 3:17 = He called them Sons of Thunder
What story helps us understand why Jesus called them Boanerges?
Luke 9:52-56 = Wanted to call down fire from heaven - Possibly quick to anger
Did Peter understand Jesus' purpose any better than James & John?
Matthew 16:21-23 = No, he scolded Jesus for saying He would suffer and die

Was Peter's faith hesitant or bold?
Matthew 14:22, 25, 28-29 = Bold - Peter faithfully walked on water to Jesus
How rock solid was Peter after he stepped out in faith?
Matthew 14:30-31 = It was weak - Peter lost faith & sank into water
Which seed in Jesus' parable of the sower best describes Peter's faith at this time?
Matthew 13:3-8 = The seed on the rock - Sprang up quick, withered without root
Why would Peter's faith be so bold at first but die so quickly?
Mark 10:28 = It was planted in himself, He looked to himself for his faith
Where should Peter have looked for his faith?
Ephesians 2:8 = Faith is the gift of God

Was Peter sincere in his faith?
John 13:36-37 = Yes, said he would die for Jesus
Did Peter sincerely want a stronger faith?
John 13:6-9 = Yes, asked Jesus not only to wash his feet, but all of him
Would Peter ever receive this strong faith he longed for?
John 14:26 = Jesus promised to send the Counselor to explain all things to them
When did this happen?
Acts 2:1, 4 = Disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost
Did Peter receive a strong faith at this time as Jesus had promised?
Acts :2:14, 37-38, 41 = From Pentecost, Peter accepted his faith from the Spirit

How did Jesus' apostles respond when Jesus said that one of them would betray Him?
Matthew 26:21-22 = Each one wondered if they were the one, all were capable
After realizing it wasn't them, were the eleven allowed to rest proudly on their faithfulness?
Matthew 26:31-32 = No, Jesus said all would fall away, but He'd gather again
How did Peter show his pride in the faith he had built for himself?
Matthew 26:33 = He said Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will

Did Jesus know more about Peter's situation than Peter himself?
Luke 22:31-33 = He said that Satan had asked for permission to test Simon
Did Jesus agree that Peter would be able to withstand Satan's temptations? = Mk 14:30 v
Matthew 26:34 = You'll disown Me 3 times before the rooster crows 2 times
Did Peter accept Jesus' warning?
Matthew 26:35 = No, he said he would die before disowning Jesus
How did Peter later show the misguided sincerity of his faith?
John 18:3, 10-11 = Cut off the right ear of the high priest's servant

Was Jesus' prediction fulfilled that all would fall away that night?
Mark 14:50 = Then everyone deserted Him and fled
Did His disciples sneak away or "run for their lives"?
Mark 14:51-52 = They ran away, even if it meant leaving their clothes behind
Did proud Peter also run away or did he stay close with Jesus?
Luke 22:54 = He was lukewarm and followed at a distance

Was Peter the only disciple who followed Jesus?
John 18:15 = No, John did also; John went into the high priest's courtyard
How was Peter able to get into the high priest's courtyard?
John 18:16 = John came back and vouched for Peter
How sincerely did Peter want to get in to be available to support his Jesus?
John 18:17 = Enough to deny his relation to Jesus
Did Peter realize what he had done and stay away from others to keep from repeating it?
John 18:18 = No, he went and stood with everyone else around a fire

What inevitably happened while Peter stood around the group in the courtyard?
Mark 14:69 = The girl told the others that Peter was one of Jesus' disciples
How did Peter respond?
Matthew 26:72 = He swore an oath that he didn't know Jesus

Did Peter's oath convince the people standing around?
Matthew 26:73 = No, his Galilean accent gave him away
Who does John say this person who spoke to Peter was?
John 18:26 = A relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off
Did Peter finally admit who he was? = Cross my heart and hope to die...
Matthew 26:74 = No, called curses on himself proving he truly didn't know Jesus

What happened just as Peter denied Jesus the third time?
Luke 22:60 = The rooster crowed (second time - Mark 16:72)
Did Peter realized what this meant?
Matthew 26:75 = Yes, right then he remembered what Jesus had said
What especially helped Peter realize the severity of what he had done?
Luke 22:60-61 = Jesus looked straight at him (Jesus knew without hearing)
How did Peter feel when reality sank in?
Luke 22:62 = Deeply ashamed at his lack of faithfulness, wept bitterly

How would Peter have felt when Jesus died without being able to make up for his denial?
1 Peter 5:1 = Distraught... - This verse says he witnessed Jesus' sufferings
What did Peter do when he heard that Jesus had risen?
Luke 24:11-12 = He ran to the tomb to see for himself
Did Jesus give Peter a chance to reconfirm his faith after denying Him three times?
John 21:15-17 = He asked & received Peter's confession 3 times

How did Judas react in worldly sorrow to his guilt of denial?
Matthew 27:3-5 = He hung himself
How was Peter's sorrow considered godly in comparison to Judas' worldly sorrow?
2 Corinthians 7:9 = Sorrow as God intends leads to repentance
Could Judas have been forgiven if he had godly sorrow instead of worldly sorrow?
2 Corinthians 7:10 = Yes, Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation