Learning Objectives

Students will acknowledge that they, like Peter, have sinned.
Students will believe that Jesus can and will forgive them for even their worst sins.

Introduction

Name tags for each of the main characters. File:DenialNameTags.pdf
- Peter
- Servant Girl
- Servant 1
- Servant 2
- Rooster
Cut out each Name Tag and tie a string around it so that the students can wear each name tag.
A tarp or bed sheet

Use a timer and give the students 2 minutes to build a tent using the tarp or bed sheet.
As students the following questions
- Why is a tent a useful when camping?
  - To protect your stuff from the elements
- What sort of protection does a tent provide?
  - Protection from rain.
  - Protection from bugs.
  - Protection from wind.
  - Protection from animals.

We all need protection from the wages of sin. Jesus offers that protection. Today we are going to learn about one of Peter's greatest failures. However, even in this great failure Jesus forgave Peter. Jesus offers each of us the same forgiveness that he offered to Peter.

Have students recall the lessons up to this point. Walk them through the calling of Peter, Christ's response to the people in need, Peter's confession, and the arrest in the garden.
We will pick up the narrative with Jesus being led to the house of the high priest. The high priest would have had some legal authority and this was to be the first "trial" of Jesus.
Before we begin the lesson I want us all to practice our lines. I have given each of our actors a card with their lines. Let's practice reading through the lines. Peter, make sure to read your with the personality that your card calls for.
Read Luke 22:54-62. Stop before each quoted statement and as the student playing that part to read that line from the following File:DenialLines.pdf

- In order the help with lesson materials the text from the NKJV is included below. Note: when reading this text you should not read the bold text but rather have the actor read that line.

Having arrested Him, they led Him and brought Him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed at a distance. Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.” But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” And after a little while another saw him and said, “You also are of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” Then after about an hour had passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Surely this fellow also was with Him, for he is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So Peter went out and wept bitterly.

Ask students what Peter had done.
- Peter had denied Jesus. Even after promising Jesus that he would stick with Him, Peter failed. Doesn't this sound like a terrible sin? Do you think Jesus could ever forgive Peter for doing this?