Peter Disowns Jesus—Matthew 26:69–75 Open It 1. *What does loyalty mean to you? 2. What are some of your greatest fears? 3. What examples could you cite to prove the old adage, “There is strength in numbers”? Explore It 1. Where was Peter? (26:69) 2. *Who approached Peter? Why? (26:69) 3. What did the servant girl say to Peter? Why? (26:69) 4. *How did Peter respond to the servant girl’s question? (26:70) 5. What did Peter do after his exchange with the servant girl? (26:71) 6. When another girl approached Peter, what did she say? (26:71) 7. How did Peter handle the second girl’s claim? (26:72) 8. Why did a third group of folks insist that Peter had to be a follower of Christ? (26:73) 9. What extreme reaction did Peter have to the allegation that he was a follower of Jesus? (26:74) 10. *What happened when Peter denied knowing Christ? (26:74–75) 11. What memory did the cock’s crow trigger in Peter’s mind? (26:75) 12. How did Peter react when he realized what he had done? (26:75) Get It 1. What do you think Peter was hoping to accomplish by hanging around the trial of Jesus? 2. What happened through a couple of young girls to scare Peter into silence? 3. How would you have felt in Peter’s place? 4. *When do you find you are most tempted to downplay or even deny your Christian beliefs? 5. *When has your faith in Jesus cost you something? 6. Why do some Christians seem to be able to stand up for Christ with no problem, while others stumble often? 7. If you were accused of being a close follower of Jesus Christ and were put on trial, would witnesses be able to come forward to present evidence against you? 8. How can close friendships with committed believers keep you from falling away from Christ? Apply It 1. *To what person should you demonstrate your loyalty this week? How? 2. Whom might you be able to engage in a conversation about Jesus Christ this week? 3. In what settings do you need to acknowledge Christ more consistently by your actions (or nonactions)?