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.
Students who have not made a decision to choose to trust in Christ for their forgiveness will do so.

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?

Read Luke 23:33

Describe crucifixion at a level that is appropriate for the age group you are teaching. As our society moves further from the Bible you can probably assume that the whole idea of crucifixion is new. Some of the elements you may want to mention depending on your age group.
- The Romans perfected death by crucifixion. Crucifixion was a brutal death in which an individual was nailed to two pieces of wood in the shape of a cross. Nails were hammered into the individuals palms and ankles. The cross was then placed upright and the individual hung from their nail pierced hands. Most people did not die from the wounds but rather suffocated to death as they hung on the cross. For many people days would pass as their life slowly evaporated away. Jesus suffered the most horrific death possible as he hung on the cross yet listen to the words Jesus spoke as he hung.
Read Luke 23:34a
As Jesus hung on the cross do you think that the people were sorry for what they were doing?
- No, at least most were not, Read 23:33b-38.
There were two criminals that were crucified beside Jesus. One criminal mocked Jesus but the other believed in Jesus. Listen to what happened to this sinner who believed Jesus.
- Read 23:42-43
- Jesus can and will save.
What do you think happened to Jesus? Do you think the people actually killed Jesus, the God of the universe?
Read Luke 23:44-46
When Jesus died a Roman centurion made a most significant proclamation.
- Read Luke 23:47

Why was it important that Jesus was a righteous man?
- Romans 6:23 states "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
- Jesus died even though he didn't deserve death. He paid the wages that we earned so that we don't have to.
Peter failed Jesus, but Jesus still forgave Peter.
Have you failed Jesus? Have you committed a sin or even many sins?
No matter what you have done Jesus is willing to forgive you. All you have to do is accept Jesus' death on the cross as full payment for your sins. That is, admit you are a sinner, believe in Christ's death, and choose to trust Him.