The Character of a Christian Man – Lesson Two

God Wants Confident Leaders

Opening Discussion

Agree or Disagree?    Men like to be in control; and are afraid when they are no longer in control.

Agree or Disagree?    Everyone is insecure in some way, shape or form.

Look at the Word

Read John 13:1-11.  What was Jesus doing for the disciples the night before he died?

                        How did Peter appear to be confident?  How did Jesus respond?

Read Matthew 26:31-35.   What was Jesus trying to tell the disciples?

                        How did Peter appear to be confident?  How did Jesus respond?

Read Matthew 26:36-46.  What did Jesus ask the disciples to do?

How did Peter appear to be confident?   How did Jesus respond?

Read Matthew 26:47-54.  How did Jesus want his disciples to befriend him?

                        How did Peter appear to be confident?   How did Jesus respond?

Read Matthew 26:57-58, 69-75.  How did Peter appear to be confident?

                        How was Peter’s confidence a sham?  What brought his deep insecurities to light?

                        What snapped Peter out of “confidence” and into repentance?

Agree/Disagree?  When we see Peter, on his knees, weeping so bitterly he could hardly talk, uncertain of the future, terrified of his sins, full of regret and looking to Jesus only for nothing but pure mercy… this was the most confident Peter had been all night.

Read I Corinthians 15:3-5.  It seems Jesus made a special, personal Easter appearance to Peter.  Why would Jesus go out of his way to do this?

Read John 20:19-23.  How did Jesus restore confidence in the disciples Easter evening? (Peter included)

            How did Jesus show he had confidence in the disciples?  (Peter included)

Read Acts 2:36-41.  Renewed in confidence, what amazing and blessed results followed?

Read I Peter 1:3-9.  List all the ways Peter expresses confidence.

                        v.3                                                        v.6

                        v.4                                                        v.7

                        v.5                                                        v.8-9

            Does this sound like a totally different Peter than the one we read about the night Jesus died?

            What changed – why was Peter so confident?

How did Peter learn to capture the truth of 2 Corinthians 12:10 – “When I am weak, then I am strong.”?

Apply

What is the difference between sinful confidence and godly confidence?

            Explain why this is true: “Deep repentance is confidence.”

How can we be confident leaders…

                        In the home?

                        In the workplace?

                        With our fellow church members?