Serving From Experience
In this session we're going to take a long look at the life of Peter, one of the 12 disciples. Peter was typically the most vocal one of the group, and he sometimes said things he probably regretted later. Yet God used some of his tough experiences to turn him into a great leader in the early church.
Read John 13:36-38
If you were Peter, how do you think you would have responded to Jesus?
Jesus was arrested a few hours after this conversation, and Peter ran away with the other disciples. Peter hid in a nearby courtyard while Jesus was being quesitioned. What do you imagine Peter must have been feeling?
Read John 18:12-19, 25-27
Why do you think Peter denied Jesus, even though Jesus had told Peter what was going to happen?
How do you think Peter felt the moment he heard the rooster begin to crow?
How can our failures be turned into something good?
Jesus was crucified the same day Peter denied him. We know that's not the end of the story. Jesus defeated death and rose from the dead. Before he went into heaven Jesus spent time with his disciples...read John 21:15-19
Why did Jesus ask Peter the same question three times?
Who are the lambs and sheep that Jesus is referring to?
Do you think Peter felt disqualified to be used by Jesus? Why might Jesus have made the comparison between Peter's youth and old age?
The events in Peter's life reveal to us that God can use broken and imperfect lives to make a difference in the world. Peter was a big-mouthed, cocky fisherman who became a wise and gentle leader. We can assume that some of his painful and positive experiences shaped his life and molded him as a minister. The same can happen to you.
After you have dug into these scriptures you may want to discuss with the students the timeline Bob will be asking them to write down. How can these good and not so good life experiences help shape their life and witness for Christ?
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