Small Group Lesson Plan for April 22: John 13:31-38

Written by: Jon Soden

JOHN 13:31–38 — DENIAL AND REDEMPTION

Last week we discussed the beginning of John 13 when Jesus washes His disciples’ feet. Following the

washing, Jesus alludes to His coming crucifixion, saying,

“My children, I will be with you only a little

longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot

come” (John 13:33). Being extremely devoted to Jesus, Simon Peter immediately responds,

“Lord, where

are you going?” Jesus tells him,

“Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”

Peter, confident in his loyalty, says,

“Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

Jesus answers with: “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster

crows, you will disown me three times!” (John 13:36–38).

Peter did not casually say this—he meant what he said. He had been following Jesus for multiple years

and had witnessed the scrutiny Jesus faced. Many times, Peter himself was pulled into that scrutiny

simply because of his association with Jesus. He saw Jesus almost be stoned to death, ridiculed by His

hometown, and accused of blasphemy by the Pharisees. Peter knew they lived under constant danger,

but his trust and confidence with Jesus nearby overpowered that fear. So when Peter tells Jesus he would

lay down his life for Him, he truly believed he would be willing to do so. But when the time came, Peter

failed.

Jumping to John 18, we read the three times Peter denies Jesus. First, when a servant girl asks if he is

one of Jesus’ disciples, he replies,

“I am not” (John 18:17). Then, as he warms himself by the fire, others

ask him the same question, and again he says,

“I am not” (John 18:25). Finally, a relative of the man

whose ear Peter had cut off challenges him,

“Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden?” Peter denies it a

third time, and at that moment the rooster crows (John 18:26–27). Despite his intentions, Peter failed.

But the story doesn’t end there. In John 21, after the resurrection, Jesus reinstates Peter. Three times

Jesus asks,

“Do you love me?” and three times Peter responds,

“Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”

Each time, Jesus commissions him: “Feed my lambs… take care of my sheep… feed my sheep.” This

reinstatement of Peter is one of the most beautiful stories in the Bible. It shows the character and nature

of Jesus. He is a God who is understanding. He is one who gives us second, third, and hundredth

chances. He does not want us to feel guilt and shame when we let Him down, but instead He chases after

us with love and grace. Peter did not deserve this love and grace, but Jesus offers it to him—and He

offers it to all of us.

Peter’s story is the perfect picture of why Christianity is different: every other religion depends on our

faithfulness, but Christianity depends on Jesus’ faithfulness. In every other major religion, the path to

salvation is built on human effort—following rules, doing good deeds, living morally, and hoping it’s

enough. Islam emphasizes following the Five Pillars and obeying the law. Judaism emphasizes keeping

the Torah and maintaining covenant faithfulness. Buddhism emphasizes following the Noble Eightfold

Path to overcome desire. Hinduism emphasizes righteous living and good karma to achieve a better

reincarnation. While these religions are all different, they share a common theme: salvation is achieved

through human effort.

But Peter’s story shows us something radically different. Peter tried. Peter meant well. Peter was sincere.

And Peter still failed. If salvation depended on human effort, Peter would have been disqualified forever.

But Jesus doesn’t save Peter because Peter is good—Jesus saves Peter because Jesus is good.

Romans 3:10 says,

“There is no one righteous, not even one,” and Psalm 14:3 says,

“All have turned away… there is no one who does good, not even one.” This doesn’t mean people never do good

things—it means no one is good enough to earn perfection. And if heaven is perfect, then none of us

qualify on our own.This is where Christianity is set apart from every other religion. It is Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross

that makes us righteous and qualifies us for a perfect heaven, cleansing us of the sin and imperfection we

carry. There is no amount of good deeds, church attendance, or donations that can accomplish this—only

the acknowledgment of Christ’s sacrifice and the grace He freely gives. Because of this salvation through

grace, we honor Christ with our deeds and our fruit—not to earn salvation, but because salvation has

already been given.

Peter’s denial shows us the truth about ourselves: even our strongest intentions and deepest loyalty can

fail. But Peter’s restoration shows us the truth about Jesus: His grace is stronger than our failure. He

doesn’t wait for us to fix ourselves. He doesn’t demand that we earn our way back. He meets us in our

weakness, restores us in our brokenness, and calls us forward with purpose. Just like Peter, we will fall

short. We will have moments we regret. We will have nights we deny Him with our actions, our silence, or

our fear. But Jesus responds the same way He did with Peter—with grace, patience, and a fresh calling.

Our salvation doesn’t rest on our performance. It rests on His sacrifice. Our hope doesn’t come from our

righteousness. It comes from His. And our story doesn’t end with our failure. It ends with His restoration.

Discussion Questions:

1. Peter truly believed he would die for Jesus, but failed when the time came to stand firm in his

faith. Have you ever had a moment where you intended to stand strong in your faith but ended up

failing?

2. How does Jesus’ response to Peter challenge the way we think God responds to our failures and

sin? What does that show us about God’s character and nature?

3. How does Peter’s story show the difference between salvation by grace and salvation by works?

To close out, this story reminds me of the parable Jesus tells about the Prodigal Son. If you haven’t read it

before, check out Luke 15:11–32. To summarize it, it’s about a son who leaves home to chase after

worldly desires. When he hits rock bottom, he hopes his father might at least take him back as a servant.

But the father—representing God—runs to him, embraces him, celebrates him, and restores him as a

son. Not because he earned it, but because he was loved.

Peter’s denial is his own “prodigal moment.” He turned away, he failed, and he carried the weight of that

failure. Yet Jesus meets him with restoration, not rejection. The story shows us the heart of God: a Father

who loves us even when we turn our backs on Him, and who welcomes us home the moment we return.

This picture was shared at my church last week regarding the Prodigal Son parable; please read the

writing for a glimpse of what God is like as our Father.

-The Prodigal Son by Charlie Mackesy is a great illustration to view