Week 11 Peter

Grace Community Church - Loveland, CO

Week 11 Peter

August 20, 2023 • Erik Miller • Matthew 16:13–27, Luke 22:31–34, John 1:40–42, Luke 5:1–11, Matthew 14:22–33

Verses: John 1:40-42, Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 14:22-33, Matthew 16:13-27, Luke 22:31-34, Luke 22:54-62, John 21:1-19, Acts 2:1-47

Main Point: God uses our failures to grow us when we respond in love and trust.

Questions:

What impacted you from the message this weekend? What challenged you or encouraged you? What did you learn about God through the study of Peter?

What details do you know about Peter’s life? Which details seem the most important to you?

Read John 1:40-42. What happened in these verses? What is significant about Jesus giving Simon the new name Peter?

Read Luke 5:1-11. What do you learn about Jesus and Peter from these verses? What was Jesus doing when he told Simon to let down his nets? Why was Simon reluctant to let down his nets?

How did Jesus get Simon’s attention through this miracle? What was Simon’s reaction? What did Jesus call Simon to do?

Read Matthew 14:22-33. Describe the setting of this section of scripture? How did the men feel when they saw a man walking towards them on the water? What did Jesus say, and how did Peter respond?

What was Jesus’ response to Peter’s lack of faith? How did the people aboard the boat respond to Jesus? What does this account show us about Jesus and faith?

Read Matthew 16:13-27. How did the people describe Jesus? How did Peter describe Jesus? What is the significance of this moment?

Why did Peter try to rebuke Jesus? What was Jesus’ response? What does this tell us about Peter’s understanding of Jesus’ plan at that time?

Read Luke 22:31-34. What is the context of these verses? What did Jesus tell Simon about his future? Why was this both difficult and hopeful?

Read Luke 22:54-62. What happened in these verses? Why would Peter deny Jesus? What happened when Peter saw Jesus?

Read John 21:1-19. How is this account similar to Peter’s first call to be a disciple in Luke 5:1-11? How did Peter respond to seeing Jesus? What did Jesus ask Peter?

How can you see God’s grace at work in this passage? Think of a time when you have sinned and felt like God could never forgive you. How does this account give you hope in God’s amazing grace and forgiveness?

Read Acts 2:1-47. What role did Peter play in the early church and at the day of Pentecost? How did God use him on that day?

What things did you learn about Jesus through the life of Peter? Jesus called Peter and calls each one of us to follow Him. How can you answer that call in your life today?

What is one specific thing you can do this week to put into practice what you learned in this message?

Week 1 Abraham

June 11, 2023 • Erik Miller • Genesis 12—22

Main Point: Growing faith requires trusting God when we don’t understand. Questions: What impacted you from the message this weekend? What challenged you or encouraged you? What did you learn about God’s character through the study of Abraham’s life? Read Genesis 12. What promise did God make to Abram? How old was Abram? What kind of faith would it take to do what Abram did? Why did Abram lie to Pharoah about his relationship with Sarai? What does this show us about Abram? Read Genesis 15. In this chapter, God made a covenant with Abram, and promised him a male heir. What do we read about faith in Genesis 15:6? Why is this significant? What is symbolic about the ceremony that takes place in this chapter? What does this reveal about the Covenant God makes with Abram? Read Genesis 16. Abram and Sarai grew impatient and took matters into their own hands. What happened? What were the consequences of Abram having son with Hagar? Read Genesis 18:1-15. God fulfilled his promise to Abram and sent messengers to let him know. What did the messengers say? How did Abram and Sarai respond? Read Genesis 21:1-20. What happened when Isaac is born? How were Hagar and Ishmael treated? How did God respond to their situation? Read Genesis 22:1-19. What did God command Abraham to do? Why do you think God asked Abraham to do this? Read the story carefully. How would you have felt? What level of faith would it require for Abraham to do what God called him to do? What did Abraham think God was going to do? (See Hebrews 11:17-19.) How did God respond to Abraham’s faith? How did this incident change Abraham? What is one thing you can do this week to put into practice what you learned in this message?

Week 2 Jacob

June 18, 2023 • Erik Miller • Genesis 25—32

Main Point: Through faith God gives us a new identity to live into. Questions: 1. What impacted you from the message this weekend? What challenged you or encouraged you? What did you learn about the God’s character through the study of Jacob’s life. 2. Read https://biblia.com/bible/niv/gen%2025.19-34. What were the circumstances surrounding Jacob and Esau’s birth? What is the significance of their names? 3. What did Jacob get his brother to do? Why was was the birthright so important? 4. Read Genesis 27. This is a tragic account of deception, favoritism, and broken relationships. What did Rebekah do to help Jacob? How did Esau react when he discovered he had lost his birthright? 5. How would you describe Jacob’s character at this point in the narrative? 6. Read https://biblia.com/bible/niv/gen%2029.1-30.22. Who deceived Jacob in this section of the story? Under what circumstances did Jacob marry Rachel and Leah? 7. What was the relationship like between Jacob, Rachel, and Leah? Why were children so important? How did the names Leah gave her children change as she had more children? 8. Read https://biblia.com/bible/niv/gen%2032.1-21. Why is Esau chasing Jacob? What is Jacob preparing to do? 9. Read https://biblia.com/bible/niv/gen%2032.22-32. With whom was Jacob wrestling with? What is the outcome of the struggle? How was Jacob marked by this encounter? 10. What is the significance of Jacob’s name being changed to Israel? What does Israel mean? 11. What is one thing you can do this week to put into practice what you learned in this message?

Week 3 Joseph

June 25, 2023 • Erik Miller • Genesis 50:15–21, Genesis 37, Genesis 39—47

Main Point: Responding to adversity with trust and integrity honors God. Questions: What impacted you from the message this weekend? What challenged you or encouraged you? What did you learn about God’s character through the study of Joseph’s life. Read Genesis 37. What do you notice about Israel’s family dynamics in this chapter? What did Joseph dream about? Why did his family resent his dreams? What did his brothers do to him? What do you think Joseph might be feeling during this time? Read Genesis 39-41. Why did Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his household? What temptation did he face? What did he say when he was tempted? (See Gen 39:8-10) How did Joseph display integrity in the face of adversity in chapter 39? What happened to Joseph in prison? How does his ability to interpret dreams get him out of prison? How old was Joseph when he was put in charge of Egypt? How did he respond to the impending drought? Read Genesis 42-47. How did Joseph get his brothers to bring whole family down to Egypt? Why was it so hard to get all of his brothers and father to come? What happened when Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers. How did they respond? How did Joseph respond? (See Gen 45:1-15) Read Genesis 50:15-21. After Israel died, why were Joseph’s brothers afraid of him? What did Joseph say to reassure them? What do Joseph’s words reveal about his understanding of God’s sovereignty even in difficulty? What is one thing you can do this week to put into practice what you learned in this message?