AN UNLIKELY MAN

DISCUSSION STARTER

• What is often the purpose of a nickname?
• Matthew 16:13-19
• When you look at the NT, you see several key figures and Simon Peter was one of them.
• Matthew 17:1; Mark 14:33

LETS TAKE A CLOSER LOOK

• Simon was a very common name
• Luke 6:14
• Jesus didn't replace his name, he gave Simon the name Peter to tag a long, very much like a nick name.

LETS TAKE A CLOSER LOOK

• Peter is a nickname. What does "Peter" mean?
• Why did Jesus give him that nickname?
• James 1:8

LETS TAKE A CLOSER LOOK

• If Jesus called him Simon, it was like saying "Hey, you're acting like your old self."
• When He called him Peter, He was commending him for acting the way he ought to act.

FOLLOW ME...

• What was Simon Peter's occupation when Jesus first met him?
• Matthew 6:18-22

APPLICATION

• Did it seem like Jesus expected more out of Peter than Peter believed capable himself?
• What is the importance of placing high expectations on someone?
• If Jesus gave you a nickname based on a quality he believed you could aspire to have, what would it be? (For example, if you’re a boastful person, he’d call you humble. If you’re a fearful person, he’d call you Brave

APPLICATION

• As Christians, we have been called to bear the name of Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:17). That’s a harder name than "Peter" to live up to. Why?
• Do you think it was easy for Peter and His disciples to leave the fishing business?
• Luke 9:23

APPLICATION

• Peter was an unlikely person in a group of unlikely people. With that in mind, What are some reasons you think people feel inadequate or as though they are unable to really serve God?