REFERENCE BIBLE VERSES
Proverbs 24:16 | for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. (ESV)
1 John 1:9 | If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (ESV)
OBJECTIVE
To understand that failure will happen even to the best of us, but how we respond to our failure differentiates those who thrive and those who don’t.
CONTENT
PETER VS JUDAS
- Two of His disciples, Peter and Judas, both failed Him in critical moments. Peter, though passionately loyal, denied knowing Jesus three times out of fear. Judas, one of the chosen twelve, betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
- But what set them apart wasn’t the gravity of their actions — both denied Jesus in their own ways — it was how they responded afterward.
- Peter was deeply grieved by his failure. Scripture tells us he wept bitterly (Luke 22:62). But he didn’t allow shame to destroy him. Instead, he returned to Jesus, received forgiveness, and was restored (John 21:15–19). He later became a bold apostle and one of the foundational leaders of the early Church.
- Judas, on the other hand, was also remorseful (Matthew 27:3), but he chose isolation and despair instead of turning to Jesus for forgiveness. Overcome with guilt, he ended his life, missing the grace that could have been his too.
- This powerful contrast teaches us that failure isn't final — unless we let it be. It's not about if we fall, but what we do after the fall.
A STEP CLOSER TO SUCCESS
- The Bible doesn’t hide the failures of even its greatest heroes — from Moses' anger to David's adultery, to Elijah’s despair. Why? Because God isn’t looking for perfect people. He’s looking for people who will get back up.
- Failure can actually be a step closer to success when we handle it with humility, repentance, and hope. Proverbs 24:16 reminds us that the righteous will fall — not once, but repeatedly — yet they rise again. It's not a lack of falling that defines righteousness, but the decision to rise.
- 1 John 1:9 assures us that when we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive. That means we don’t have to stay stuck in guilt. If God forgives us, then we must also learn to forgive ourselves.
- With every failure, we begin to realize more deeply how much we need Jesus. Our weaknesses, our shortcomings, and our inability to always get it right drive us to the cross — again and again. This isn’t something to be ashamed of. In fact, it's in our weakness that His strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9).
- Rather than allowing failure to breed hopelessness, we can let it birth a deeper dependence on God. Every fall becomes a reminder: we cannot do this on our own. And that realization — that we need Him every moment — keeps us grounded, humble, and hopeful.
- This is the beauty of walking with Jesus. Our failures don’t push Him away — they pull us closer to Him, if we let them. So instead of giving up, we press on. We rise again. Not in our own strength, but in His.
- Just like Peter, we can rise from our worst moments and become instruments of God’s purpose — if we choose restoration over regret, and hope over despair.
REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Remember a time where you experienced failure, discuss it with your friends. Did it bring you closer or away from Christ? How could you have reacted better?
- What does your understanding about Christ’s forgiveness and His work at the cross reminded you today? How does this help you become confident and secure to pursue life?
REFERENCES