Setting the Theme
What things in life make you afraid?
Peter is confronted by a young woman in the Courtyard. Her question pushes all his fear buttons. He denies Christ and tries to avoid people. Where in your life do you hide in fear?
Approaching God’s Word
Pray that God would open our hearts and lives to His Word.
Read Luke 22:54-62
54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”
57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.
58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”
“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.
59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”
60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Engaging the Message
Either in Wednesday evening worship or by YouTube, engage the message for the week. The space below is intended for your personal notes and reflections.
The Voice of Fear is shouting at Peter. How does the Voice of Fear impact your life.
For Peter, in a courtyard
For Moses, at a burning bush
For David, fleeing Saul
For Elijah, in a cave
Each had the voice of fear shouting loudly.
Digging Deeper
Discuss one or more of the following with a friend or family member:
Talk about a time in the dark that really prevented you from doing something.
Think about the servants and how they approach Peter.
- Peter is approached by the young woman at the fire
- Peter gets up and walks away from and moves toward the Gate when the second person confronts him
- Peter is confronted near the fire by a servant who’s relative’s ear was healed (John 18:26)
If you were the servant, what would you think of Peter? What would you think of Jesus?
Read Psalm 57. What does this Psalm of David show about David’s fear and God’s faithfulness?.
Read I Kings 19:9-18. How does God approach Elijah who is trapped in fear? What does this mean for you when you face fear?
Talk about one or more of the following with people who can point you back to Jesus and His love for you.
What promise of God above do you want to hold onto as you face the rest of your week?
Who could you invite to follow Jesus with you this week to help you hold onto God’s promises?
Daily / Word
Sunday: Luke 22:54-65
Monday: John 18:15-18
Tuesday: John 18:26-27
Wednesday: Luke 8:22-25
Thursday: Mark 5:24-34
Friday: John 20:19-21
Saturday: I Corinthians 2:1-5
Prayer for the Week
Dear Jesus, We all struggle with the voice of fear I our lives. Sometimes, God, that voice is so strong it feels like fear will win. I can get lost in the fear that is shouting at my heart. Please, Christ, give me the trust to know that you conquered fear and have set us free from all fear.
In Christ’s name.
Amen
