Denial in the Courtyard
April 14, 2006 - Mark 14.53-72
Open It
What subjects do most people try to avoid in polite company? Why?
What is one fact about you that most people don't know?
Explore It
Where did the events of this story take place? (14:66)
What was Peter doing at this critical time? (14:66)
How do we know Peter was concerned for Jesus? (14:66)
What was the servant girl's opinion of Jesus? (14:66-69)
How did Peter's denial of Christ happen? (14:66-72)
Who confronted Peter about his association with Jesus? (14:67)
How did Peter respond to the servant girl's questioning? (14:68, 70)
Why did Peter move "out into the entryway"? (14:68)
Who else besides the servant girl confronted Peter? Why? (14:70)
Who in the courtyard was curious and insistent about finding out who Jesus' followers were? (14:66-70)
How did Peter respond to the third question about whether he was a follower of Christ? (14:71)
Why did Peter cry? (14:72)
What reminded Peter of Jesus' words to him earlier? (14:72)
How did Peter react when he realized what he had done? (14:72)
Get It
What does this story tell us about Peter?
Why do you think Peter denied knowing Christ?
What does this story tell us about human nature?
What does this story tell you about you?
What different kinds of reactions have you received when you have told others about your faith in Christ?
Why are Christians sometimes afraid to identify themselves as believers in Christ?
Why are Christians sometimes afraid to tell non-Christian friends about Christ?
In what sorts of situations are you sometimes uncomfortable or fearful about identifying with Christ or Christianity?
What can we learn about the cost of being Christ's disciple from this passage?
How do other people's attitudes toward Christ affect your willingness to talk about your Christian faith?
How can you affirm your faith in Christ in situations where others may be indifferent or hostile to it?
Apply It
In what situation or context will you consciously identify with Christ publicly this week? How?
What person do you need to tell of your faith in Christ? When can you?
Notes
Mark 14:66-67: Caiaphas's house, where Jesus was tried (Mark 14:53), was part of a huge palace with several courtyards. John was apparently acquainted with the high priest, and he was let into the courtyard along with Peter (John 18:15-16).
Mark 14:71: Peter's curse was more than just a common swear word. He was making the strongest denial he could think of by denying with an oath that he knew Jesus. He was saying, in effect, "May God strike me dead if I'm lying."
Mark 14:71: It is easy to get angry at the Sanhedrin and the Roman governor for their injustice in condemning Jesus, but Peter and the rest of the disciples also contributed to Jesus' pain by deserting him (Mark 14:50). While most of us may not be like the Jewish and Roman leaders, we are like the disciples because all of us have been guilty of denying Christ as Lord in vital areas of our lives. We may pride ourselves that we have not committed certain sins, but we are all guilty of sin. Don't try to excuse yourself by pointing at others whose sins seem worse than yours.