Until the Rooster Crows
Matthew 26:30-35; 69-75 (ESV)
Matthew 26:30-35
Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial
And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
Matthew 26:69-75
Peter Denies Jesus
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
Study Guide Questions:
Observation Questions
Observation Questions focus on gathering facts and identifying key details. This can include repeated words, themes, and characters). Observation asks "what does the text say?" not "what does the text mean?" It is not intended to go into interpretation or life application yet. Observations provide a crucial foundation for accurate interpretation and application, preventing misconceptions.
What observations do you note in today's passage?
Please note that these questions are intended to help the community group member learn what types observations could be made in the passage...
In Matthew 26:31–35, what does Jesus say will happen to all the disciples, and what promise does he give immediately after predicting their scattering?
How does Peter describe himself in comparison with the other disciples, and how does Jesus respond to Peter’s confidence?
What causes Peter to weep bitterly after the rooster crows?
Interpretation Questions
Interpretation Questions focus on interpreting what has been observed. The goal is to try to understand the original author's intended meaning and purpose for the intended audience. Interpretation bridges observations with life applications. It will consider key terms, explores context, and answers "why" to uncover the main point.
What are some key points that resonated with you from the message or from your observations above?
Discuss the significance of Jesus’ promise to go before the disciples to Galilee.
Discuss the type of pride Peter displays even without openly bragging.
Discuss the contrast between Jesus's faithfulness and Peter's lack.
Discuss the difference between being confident in the strength of one's devotion versus confidence in Jesus.
Life Application Questions
Life Application questions are intended to transform knowledge gleaned from observations and interpretations to practical application in your life. These questions are intended to move the facilitator and the participant from understanding what the text meant to how it applies to daily life. Life application questions are intended to transform listeners into doers, bridging biblical truth with current circumstances to foster personal transformation and spiritual maturity.
What is your key takeaway from the message?
Where/when do you find yourself dismissing God's warnings?
Like Peter, where are you most tempted to compare yourself with others and what might that comparison reveal about where you may be trusting in yourself rather than Christ?
2 Corinthians 7:10 states that a Godly grief produces repentance. On the flip side, human remorse focuses on the consequences to oneself. Think of a recent failure, sin, or pattern you regret. Are you mainly focused on the consequences for yourself, or are you seeing how your sin has affected your relationship with Jesus and others?
When you fail, do you tend to defend yourself, hide, minimize what happened, or try to fix everything alone? What might it look like to honestly bring that failure to Jesus instead?
Jesus knew Peter’s coming failure and still promised to meet him after his resurrection. How does knowing that Christ fully knows your weakness change the way you approach him today?