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Have you ever gone along with the crowd because you didn't want to be different? You didn't choose to act like a child of God because you were too afraid. Did you think that you had the courage to respond one way, but you did just the opposite? What happened?
Peter understands. He was sure that He would always be a bold witness for Jesus. He even told Jesus that he would die for Him. But at one point, Peter discovered it was easier to blend into the crowd than to admit he knew Jesus.
Now, use your imagination, as we journey back through time to look at the Life Connection Story "Peter Part 1."
(Story adapted from the New Testament books written by Peter and the Gospels, specifically Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75; Mark 14:27-31, 66-72; Luke 22:31-34, 54-62; John 18:15-27, 21:1-23)
My name is Peter. I am excited to share with you how God worked in my life.
I was invited by Jesus to travel with Him and eleven other disciples for three years while He ministered on earth. I had so many experiences in those three years, but I'll only be able to tell you a few of the stories in this episode. There are a lot more that you can read about in the Bible.
Just before Jesus went back to heaven, He told all of us disciples that we would lose our faith. I told Him that all the others may lose their faith, but I never would. Jesus told me that on that very night I would say I didn't know Him three different times before a rooster crowed. I argued that I would never say I didn't know Him. I said that I would even die for Him. Soon after this conversation, Jesus was arrested and taken away.
That evening, a servant girl recognized me as one of Jesus' disciples. I denied that I knew Him and left the courtyard. At the entrance of the gate, one of the servants saw me and asked if I had been with Jesus in the garden. Again I said that I wasn't with Him. A short time later, some people said that they knew I was one of the men that followed Jesus. I swore that I didn't know Him. As soon as I denied knowing Jesus the third time, a rooster crowed. Then Jesus turned and looked straight at me. I remembered that He told me I would deny Him three times before a rooster crowed. I was so sorry. I went outside and cried. I was disappointed in my actions. I thought I would have the courage to die for what I believed about Jesus, but instead I did just the opposite. Throughout the rest of my life, Jesus gave me many chances to be identified as one of His followers, and I had the courage to be a bold witness for Him.
After Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, we were on Lake Galilee fishing. We fished all night but caught nothing. Early the next morning, a man standing on the shore asked us if we had caught any fish. We said no. He told us to throw our net onto the right-hand side of the boat, and we would catch some fish. We did this and caught so many fish that we could not pull the net back into the boat. Then I realized the man on the shore was Jesus. I jumped into the water to swim to meet Him. The others went to the shore in the boat, dragging the net full of fish. On the shore, Jesus was cooking breakfast for us. After we ate, Jesus asked me three times in three different ways if I loved Him. Each time I answered, "Yes, I love You." By the third time I said, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You."
After each time He asked if I loved Him, Jesus told me to feed His sheep. It's one thing to say you love Jesus, but it's another thing to allow Him to serve others through you. That day was a turning point for me; I knew I was forgiven. Jesus gave me the chance to commit my love and my life to Him three times-the same number of times I denied Him. Then He said, "Follow Me." I didn't know where the future would lead, but I knew I could trust Jesus no matter what happened. By the end of my life, I did have the courage to die for Jesus. I asked to be crucified upside down because I didn't want to die the same way my Lord died. I'm living proof that Jesus has forgiven you, and He will give you the courage to be all that He wants you to be.
Let's thank God that He can give us the courage to not follow the crowd and allow us what to do what He wants so that others may see His love.
God, thank You that I don't have to be afraid to be different from the crowd. I can trust You to enable me to act like a child of God when I feel like doing the opposite. Thank You that You have already forgiven me when I mess up just like you did with Peter. I want others to see my love for You. I am willing to live my life in serving others to see them come to know of Your free gift of eternal life.
Use Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75; Mark 14:27-31, 66-72; Luke 22:31-34, 54-62; John 18:15-27, 21:1-23 and the Life Connection Story. They will help you complete your Life Connection Response.
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