The Point The Passage The Bible Meets Life The Setting

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The Point God can redeem us from even our worst failures.

The Passage Luke 22:54-62; Acts 4:8-13

The Bible Meets Life We often have good intentions to do the right thing, but we falter when the time comes. This is particularly devastating when it comes to our plans regarding the Christian life, making us hesitant to serve again. I tried before and I failed miserably. Who am I to think I can serve God? We can all learn from Peter. Peter failed, yet he learned to rely on God’s power to boldly serve Him.

The Setting Jesus and His disciples had shared the Passover meal (Luke 22:14-38). During the meal, Jesus predicted His betrayal by one of His disciples (vv. 21-23). Peter had boldly pledged to go with Jesus to both prison and to death, to which Jesus responded by predicting Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed (vv. 31-34). Later that night in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was betrayed and arrested (vv. 39-54). Despite an initial display of boldness in cutting off the ear of the high priest’s slave (v. 50; John 18:10), Peter, along with the rest of the disciples, abandoned Jesus and fled. But Peter followed the mob at a distance as they took Jesus to the high priest’s house.

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What does the Bible say?

Luke 22:54-62; Acts 4:8-13 (HCSB) Galilean (Luke 22:59)— Galilee was a region in the northern part of Israel. Jesus was from Nazareth and Peter from Bethsaida, both towns in Galilee. Nazarene (Acts 4:10)—This term references Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus; Nazareth was located in the region of lower Galilee about halfway between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee. Cornerstone (Acts 4:11)— The Greek words translated “cornerstone” are literally “head of a corner” and can refer to the first stone or to the final stone in a building project.

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Luke 22:54 They seized Him, led Him away, and brought Him into the high priest’s house. Meanwhile Peter was following at a distance. 55 They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, and Peter sat among them. 56 When a servant saw him sitting in the firelight, and looked closely at him, she said, “This man was with Him too.” 57 But he denied it: “Woman, I don’t know Him!” 58 After a little while, someone else saw him and said, “You’re one of them too!” “Man, I am not!” Peter said. 59 About an hour later, another kept insisting, “This man was certainly with Him, since he’s also a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 Then the Lord turned and looked at Peter. So Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly. Acts 4:8 Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders: 9 If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man—by what means he was healed— 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing here before you healthy. 11 This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.” 13 When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.

SESSION 5 © 2015 LifeWay

THE POINT

God can redeem us from even our worst failures.

GET INTO THE STUDY

10 minutes

ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Play a short

Notes

video clip of the final scene of the movie “Miracle,” (2004) the true story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team who conquered all odds to defeat the Russian hockey team in the semi-finals. For a brief clip, start playing the movie at 2:04:33 and end at 2:05:50. DISCUSS: Invite your group members to discuss Question 1 on page 99 of the

TIP: Gather your members to watch the movie “Miracle” (2004) together. This classic film chronicles the U.S. hockey team’s journey in the 1980 Olympics.

Personal Study Guide (PSG): “What’s one of your favorite comeback stories?” Allow time for each person to respond. RECAP THE PSG (PAGE 100): What does a devastating failure look like? Sportscasters might mention the Buffalo Bills. After all, they lost the Super Bowl in 1991. And 1992. And 1993. And 1994. For others, devastating failure is defined by something far more personal: A poor financial decision. A broken engagement. A sexual sin. SAY: “Peter’s life has shown us, however, we are not doomed to live with the regret of our failures.” GUIDE: Call the group’s attention to The Point on page 100 of the PSG: “God can redeem us from even our worst failures.” PRAY: Transition into your Bible study time with prayer. Pray for your group members who may be experiencing the consequences of some kind of failure. Ask God to show each one how He can use even the worst situations for His glory. PLAYLIST PICK: “Satisfy My Soul” by Marc James and Brenton Brown

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10 minutes

STUDY THE BIBLE Luke 22:54-62

Notes

54

They seized Him, led Him away, and brought Him into the high priest’s

house. Meanwhile Peter was following at a distance. 55 They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, and Peter sat among them.  When a servant saw him sitting in the firelight, and looked closely at him,

56

she said, “This man was with Him too.” 57 But he denied it: “Woman, I don’t know Him!” 58 After a little while, someone else saw him and said, “You’re one of them too!” “Man, I am not!” Peter said. 59 About an hour later, another kept insisting, “This man was certainly with Him, since he’s also a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 Then the Lord turned and looked at Peter. So Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly. READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Luke 22:54-62. SUMMARIZE: When Jesus began His ministry, He handpicked His team. Peter, also known as Simon, quickly became a leader and spokesman for the disciples. ]]

When Jesus predicted that His followers would abandon Him, Peter brashly declared that even if everyone else abandoned Jesus, he would boldly stand his ground. He would even die for Jesus (Mark 14:27-31).

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Hours later, Jesus was arrested and Peter cowered in front of a small group. Rough and tough Peter denied even knowing Jesus—not once, not twice, but three times.

ALTERNATE QUESTION: When have you felt like you’ve let God down?

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When the rooster crowed, Peter remembered Jesus’ words. Immediately the remorse kicked in. Peter wept bitterly.

DISCUSS: Question 2 on page 102 of the PSG: “How do you typically respond when you feel like you’ve let someone down?” DISCUSS: Question 3 on page 103 of the PSG: “What are some ways we deny Jesus?” TRANSITION: Thankfully, Peter’s story doesn’t end with his failure. God had a plan.

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THE POINT

God can redeem us from even our worst failures.

Luke 22:54-62 Commentary We have all denied Jesus. Verses 54-55: After His arrest, Jesus was brought to “the high priest’s house.” Peter had fled along with the rest of the disciples after Jesus’ arrest (Matthew 26:56). However, Peter was now following Jesus and the arresting party into the high priest’s courtyard (v. 58). Peter was there to stay warm (Mark 14:67; John 18:18); he was also there to get information about Jesus’ situation. Verses 56-57: A servant most likely had noticed Peter in the recent company of Jesus. After examining Peter closely, she declared to the group, “This man was with Him too.” It is impossible to know the motives behind the girl’s question, whether she was being confrontational or just making an observation. Peter’s response to the servant girl’s declaration was a denial. “Woman, I don’t know Him!” Peter was an impulsive individual. When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” it was Peter who responded “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” (Matthew 16:15-16). But this same man shortly thereafter rebuked Jesus for predicting His rejection, suffering, death, and resurrection (vv. 2123). It was Peter who also boldly proclaimed to Jesus, “I’m ready to go with You both to prison and to death!” (Luke 22:33). Peter found it easy to speak boldly around the disciples, but harder to do so in a hostile environment. Verses 58-59: After a brief time, someone else made another charge. “You’re one of them too!” Peter responded with his second denial, “Man, I am not!” With his words, Peter disassociated himself from both Jesus and His disciples. About an hour later, Peter was challenged again regarding his relationship with Jesus. Another individual was insistent, stating, “This man was certainly with Him, since he’s also a Galilean.” Matthew’s Gospel indicates that the individual picked up on Peter’s Galilean accent (Matthew 26:73). Making a bad situation far worse, Peter’s accuser was “one of the high priest’s slaves, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off” (John 18:26) earlier in the evening in the garden of Gethsemane (v. 10). Verses 60-62: Here was a chance for Peter to redeem himself and be courageously honest. Once again, however, he denied Christ. In the stillness of the predawn darkness, a rooster crowed. No doubt the call of the rooster rang in Peter’s ears as he “remembered the word of the Lord.” On the previous evening, after Peter had claimed he would go to prison and die with Jesus (Luke  22:33), Jesus had predicted, “‘I tell you, Peter,’ He said, ‘the rooster will not crow today until you deny three times that you know Me!” (v. 34). Overwhelmed with shame, guilt, and grief at his sins of denial, Peter went outside and wept bitterly.

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10 minutes

STUDY THE BIBLE Acts 4:8-12

Notes

8

Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the

people and elders: 9 If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man—by what means he was healed— 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing here before you healthy. 11 This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.” SUMMARIZE: In Acts 4, we find Peter and John after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. True to His Word, God had sent the Holy Spirit to His people. ]]

Peter and John had encountered a lame man in the temple complex and had completely healed him in the name of Jesus.

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As a result of the miracle and their preaching of the gospel there, Peter and John were arrested and held overnight to face trial before the Sanhedrin the following day (Acts 3:1–4:4).

READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Acts 4:8-12. SAY: ”Far removed from his failures, Peter now proclaimed boldly about Jesus: ‘There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.’” ALTERNATE QUESTION: What are some of the ways God’s forgiveness has made a difference in your life?

DISCUSS: Question 4 on page 104 of the PSG: “What does Peter’s experience teach us about the Holy Spirit’s work in and through us?” ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Bring and share a photo of yourself as a teenager. Just as we all grow out of our teen years and mature into adulthood, God desires for us to grow and mature spiritually. Spiritual growth includes bringing our failures to Him and allowing Him to redeem them for His purposes. Like our teen years, this process isn’t easy, but it’s critical to our spiritual maturity. TRANSITION: The next verses reveal the reaction of the members of the Sanhedrin to Peter’s message.

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THE POINT

God can redeem us from even our worst failures.

Acts 4:8-12 Commentary God’s Spirit empowers our witness. Verse 8: The context of this story is an incident in the temple complex involving Peter and John after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit. The two had encountered a lame man in the temple complex and had completely healed him in the name of Jesus. As a result of the miracle and their preaching of the gospel there, Peter and John were arrested and held overnight to face trial before the Sanhedrin the following day (Acts 3:1–4:4). As Peter stood before the Sanhedrin, he was filled with the Holy Spirit. This phrase does not refer to the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit that occurs in every believer at the moment of salvation. Rather, it refers to the experience of being governed and empowered by God’s Spirit. Because Peter was empowered by the Spirit, he was able to face persecution and preach the gospel with power (see Luke 12:11-12). Verse 9: Speaking with irony, Peter asked if he and John were on trial for “a good deed done to a disabled man.” Good deeds are often considered suspicious when jealousy and insecurity abound. The apostles had been preaching the gospel of Jesus in the seat of the power of these religious leaders. This was a wise reply. Peter was basically saying, “The only thing you can possibly have arrested us for is this miracle—for doing good to that poor lame man. Doing good is not crime.” Verse 10: Peter used this opportunity to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. The lame man had been healed “by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene.” The name of Jesus represented Jesus’ person, power, and authority. That Peter called Him Jesus Christ the Nazarene specifically identified to whom Peter was referring. Peter reminded the rulers of the people and elders that they had condemned Jesus to death and handed Him over to the Romans to be crucified (Luke 22:66–23:5). While Peter’s message was specifically for these leaders, he also had all the people of Israel in mind as well. Verse 11: The background for Peter’s words here is from Psalm 118:22. This text was used by Jesus Himself in His parable of the vineyard (Mark 12:1-11), as well as by Peter in his first letter (1 Peter 2:7). In its original context, the stone was thought to be either the nation of Israel or Israel’s king, but finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. Peter reinforced what he had said previously, identifying the Jewish religious leaders as the builders using the word “you” for emphasis. Verse 12: Peter proclaimed to the Sanhedrin, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.” The phrase “no other name” refers to the exclusivity of salvation being found by faith in Jesus Christ alone. As Jesus proclaimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE © 2015 LifeWay

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10 minutes

STUDY THE BIBLE Acts 4:13

Notes

13

When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they

were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus. READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Acts 4:13. RECAP THE PSG (PAGE 105): Earlier, Peter and John had healed a man who was “lame from birth” (3:2). Peter was proclaiming Jesus as the reason (4:10-12), and the religious leaders had nothing to say in response (v. 14). They did, however, notice three telling things about Peter and John: they were bold; they were untrained and uneducated (by the religious leaders’ definition); and they had been with Jesus. ALTERNATE QUESTION: What parts of your story, failures included, should you be telling so that God may be glorified?

DISCUSS: Question 5 on page 105 of the PSG: “How can we support one another in moving past our failures?” SUMMARIZE: Peter isn’t the only one with a story of redemption. You also have a story, that of your own encounter with Jesus Christ. Your failures can lead you to greater faith when you experience the forgiveness of Jesus. Tell your story—all of it—and let the Holy Spirit use your witness to bring others into the kingdom of God. DO: Instruct group members to complete the activity on page 104 of the PSG on their own. Power & Grace ]]

In what way do you most need the power of the Holy Spirit? ____ To give me wisdom to make godly choices ____ To give me assurance of God’s presence in my life ____ To help me turn over my failures to God and allow Him to use me for His kingdom ____ To help me face my areas of weakness with His strength ____ Other: ______________________________

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In what personal failure do you need to experience God’s forgiveness and redemption?

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Write a one-sentence prayer in the space below giving this situation to God.

SESSION 5 © 2015 LifeWay

THE POINT

God can redeem us from even our worst failures.

Acts 4:13 Commentary Our bold witness points others to Jesus. Verse 13: The boldness of Peter and John could not be ignored by the council of the Sanhedrin. The Greek term translated “boldness“ was used in reference to the freedom and courage of a person to speak whatever he or she desired in public. Luke used the word to emphasize the courage of those empowered by God to proclaim the message of the gospel. These professional, trained religious leaders were “amazed“ at these two uneducated and untrained men. The apostles’ words and actions and the witness of the healed man to the truth and power of Jesus left them with “nothing to say” (Acts 4:14). The Sanhedrin could not deny the power of Jesus in the healing of the lame man. They also “recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

Previous Biblical Illustrator articles “The Work of the Holy Spirit: A Biblical Overview” (Summer 2012), “Peter’s Messages” (Fall 2000), “To Be Bold” (Fall 2000), and “The Life of Simon Peter” (Winter 1987) relate to this lesson and can be purchased, along with other articles for this quarter, at www.lifeway.com/biblicalillustrator. Look for Bible Studies for Life.

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5 minutes

LIVE IT OUT SAY: ”Today’s study points to one glorious truth: God can redeem us from even our worst failures.” GUIDE: Lead group members to consider the responses to the Bible study listed on page 106 of the PSG. ]]

Evaluate your life. Is there failure there? Don’t hide from it. Face it and be honest about it. Then repent and turn to Christ for forgiveness.

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Get more of the story. Over the next few weeks, read through the Book of Acts. Pay attention to Peter’s role in the growth of the early church and the legacy he left. When you’re tempted to feel the weight of a failure, remember Peter’s story.

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Identify one person with whom you can share your story of failure and redemption. Ask God to use your story to encourage someone who needs hope beyond their own sense of failure.

Wrap It Up
 SAY: “When it comes to failure, no one is immune. That’s what makes Peter’s story a significant one. When we fail, God can take our repentance and redeem even the worst situations. Repent and trust wholly in Him—He can use your failure for His glory.”

Get expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid (MinistryGrid.com/web/BibleStudiesForLife).

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