Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (John 18:15-27), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• Why is it good that the Scriptures give a painfully honest account of Peter’s denial? (There might be several reasons.) Are you personally helped by this account in your own life with God and/or ministry to others? Why or why not?

• [15, 16] John didn’t seem to be very threatened by the idea of being known to the high priest and his household. Why was Peter so threatened? Why was Jesus not at all threatened by the very real persecution he was facing at the same time?

• [19-24] (Read Deuteronomy 19:15-19; 1 Peter 2:19-23) Jesus exposed his interrogation for what it was—a mockery of justice—by mentioning the lack of witnesses to testify against him as required by Scripture. He did not desperately defend himself, but relied on God’s justice, even though he was being unjustly treated. Can you imagine his faithfulness? Have you had opportunities in your life to demonstrate similar faithfulness in the face of injustice? How did that go? Can you imagine imitating Jesus in this grace? How could you do it?

• The religious leaders didn’t really stop to consider Jesus’ teachings or his challenge to them here—they sought to remove Jesus from the picture with extreme prejudice. How is this similar to the way people commonly reject Jesus and the Gospel? How does this inform and shape our participation in Jesus’ mission?

• (Read Psalm 88.) How does the “darkness” of the world—especially in the shunning of Jesus by his beloved and friend—highlight the “light” of Jesus?