A Disciple's JourneySample

Review Questions for Week 3

1. How have you been growing in Christ this week? What have you been learning?
2. Try to put yourself in the mindset of Peter after he had denied knowing Christ. When he heard that Christ had been raised from the dead, what do you think Peter expected Jesus to say to him?
3. Is there a mistake you’ve made that still haunts you? Have you given it to the Lord and asked for His forgiveness and restoration?
4. To the best of your ability, did you maintain the habits of a healthy Christian this week? If not, what is a meaningful step you can take next week toward acquiring each habit?

When you think about the incredible things God did through Peter, you should also remember this dark night of the soul that Peter went through. The suffering and death of Christ was a crucible, not just for Christ but also for his followers. It brought out the worst in them. Think about Judas Iscariot. He made the greatest mistake of his life, too, by betraying Christ. But the outcome was completely different than Peter’s.

There’s a distinction in 2 Corinthians 7 that helps explain the difference. Paul says: “Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Judas’s remorse and brokenness were worldly grief, and they led to despair and death. Peter’s sobs of remorse came from godly grief, and they led to repentance, rededication, restoration, and ministry without fear or regret. The two kinds of grief look similar for a moment, but the outcomes could not be farther apart.

Have you had an experience in your life that caused you grief? Or are you experiencing grief right now over mistakes you’ve made or sinful patterns that have thrown your discipleship journey off track?

It’s not too late. God could be working in you, producing godly grief. This can lead to repentance, restoration, and a life lived without fear and without regret. God can still use you, just like he used Peter. Praise the Lord for his amazing grace for sinners like us!