By Michael C. Mack

1. Pride goes before a fall. That saying is a paraphrase of Proverbs 16:18. Share a story about when that proved true in your own life.

Read Mark 14:26-31, 66-72. 

2. How would you describe Peter in the beginning of this passage? (Also see Peter’s response in last week’s lesson: Mark 10:28.)

• Confident

• Cocky

• Full of good intentions

3. Jesus quoted Zechariah 13:7. Verse 9 of that passage refers to God placing those he loves into a fire to be tested and refined. How was the faith of the disciples, especially Peter, being tested and refined through this difficult process? 

4. Think about the disciples’ lives after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. In what ways was this prediction a teachable moment to prepare them? 

5. How was it possible for someone like Peter, whom Jesus was grooming to lead the new church, to turn away from such great faith in a matter of several hours? 

6. What is your biggest takeaway from this passage? What do you learn from Peter? 

7. At the end of this passage, Peter wept, understandably feeling regret and shame. Rather than judging Peter, we can look at how we too have fallen away in our faith in Jesus. How does God respond to you when you deal with a difficult, trying, painful situation in your life? Which of the following words of God brings you comfort in your own struggle to remain loyal? 

• “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14)

• “Is the Lord’s arm too short?” (Numbers 11:23)

• “‘If you can?’ Everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23)

• “With man this is impossible, but not with God, all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27).

Michael Mack leads church training events and consults with churches through his ministry, Small Group Leadership (www.smallgroupleadership.com).