Slices
Prepare
It is easy to be critical of others when they fail or make mistakes, but each of us is fallible and we cannot judge. Ask God for a humble and dependent heart, and a tender conscience that responds to correction.
Bible passage
Peter disowns Jesus
69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him. ‘You also were with Jesus of Galilee,’ she said.
70 But he denied it before them all. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ he said.
71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant-girl saw him and said to the people there, ‘This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.’
72 He denied it again, with an oath: ‘I don’t know the man!’
73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, ‘Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.’
74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, ‘I don’t know the man!’
Immediately a cock crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the cock crows, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Explore
Peter is a disciple we may readily identify with because he is the one who often makes mistakes. He is bold and impetuous, a natural leader and full of confidence, but far from perfect. At this stage he has not yet become self-aware and still has much to learn.
His triple denial of knowing Jesus and being one of his disciples is surprising given his boast that he would never fall away, but Jesus warned him this would happen (Matthew 26:33–35). With startling synchronicity, he hears a cock crow and is reminded not only of his failure but of the words of Jesus (v 75).
Peter, heartbroken, weeps bitterly, a sign of remorse and an indicator of the breaking of his ego (independent self). This is godly sorrow, the stirring of the conscience by God that leads to honest repentance, itself a gateway to forgiveness and restoration. Painful but purifying, this is an important moment in the formation of Peter’s soul and his preparation for servant leadership.
Respond
When have you known failure? How did you respond? Why does failure teach us more than success? Ask God to help you grow in self-awareness and humility. Look to learn the lessons that God may be teaching you through your life experience.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Deuteronomy 31,32; Romans 8
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Mission partner BSYW in Blackpool as they deliver workshops in schools on the theme of Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life. They also ask for prayer as they invite schools into local churches for their immersive Step into Easter outreach, sharing the events of Holy Week and pointing to John 3:16.
Join the conversation
Equipping the church to reach the next generation
Across England and Wales, increasing numbers of children and young people are asking big questions about life, faith and meaning. Many are more open than we might assume – curious, thoughtful, and ready for conversations about Jesus, even when church isn’t part of their everyday world. For churches who have a heart for the next generation, this presents a real and hopeful opportunity.
Many leaders carry a deep desire to help the next generation encounter Jesus, but with full diaries and many responsibilities, knowing how to respond – or where to begin – can feel uncertain. That’s why we’ve created the It’s Time to Act guide.
It’s a simple, encouraging resource designed to help churches take thoughtful, realistic steps towards revealing Jesus to the next generation. Rather than offering big programmes or quick fixes, the guide focuses on what’s possible now – small, achievable actions that can grow over time. Inside, you’ll find practical ideas shaped by real church life that work alongside busy schedules and varied contexts. So, whether your church is just beginning to explore this opportunity, or already taking steps, the guide aims to meet you where you are and help you discern what comes next.
Our hope is that It’s Time to Act feels less like another initiative, and more like an invitation – to notice where God is already at work, and to take a next step, one step at a time.
If you’d like to explore the guide and see whether it could support your church, you can order a copy here.