JesusWalk® Publications

Apostle Peter
Disciple Lessons from the Rock
a 253-page book
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

 


Book front cover | back cover

Peter is one of the best-known characters in the Bible. Everyone knows about his fishing, walking on water, and denying Christ. Is there anything new to learn? Yes. It's one thing to learn stories as a child. It is quite another to process them deeply as adult disciples. We see so much more!

In this study we consider each appearance of Peter in the New Testament. But we go deeper, seeking to understand Peter's heart and zeal, his weaknesses and strengths. We seek to grasp how God is molding him.

Peter is mentioned in the Gospels far more times than all the other eleven apostles put together. In 8 or 9 instances, he serves mainly as the spokesman for the other disciples and isn't integrally involved in the narrative. But where Peter is part of the action or teaching, we'll spend the time to examine the context, the action, the related teachings, and see what we can apply to our lives. Here and there we'll draw wisdom from the mature apostle's letters, 1 and 2 Peter.

This study goes beyond being a biography. Rather it is a study designed to grow disciples today, using the life of Peter as a means to that end. We walk in Peter's steps and learn as he learned. We observe the younger, brash Peter and compare him to the apostle whose shadow heals people, who witnesses with bravery, preaches with power, and ministers with grace.

These materials can be used for individual study, as well as with a partner, small group, or class. Probing discussion questions help get at the main issues the text presents to us.

While the study is designed for the thoughtful lay reader, preachers and teachers will appreciate that the study is heavily footnoted with word definitions, Scripture cross-references, and sources used, drastically cutting down the time of sermon preparation. Indeed, many incidents from Peter's life can be easily formed into sermons drawing from the background materials presented here.

Here is a brief outline of this 11-week study.

  1. The Call of Peter (in each Gospel)
  2. Peter's Growth as a Disciple (Matthew 14-18)
  3. Peter's Confession and the Keys to the Kingdom (Matthew 16:13-27)
  4. Peter's Glory and Humiliation (Luke 9:27-36; John 13:1-17)
  5. Peter's Crisis and Denial (Luke 22, Mark 14
  6. Peter and the Risen Christ (Luke 24; John 20-21))
  7. Peter's Leadership in the Early Church (Acts 1-4)
  8. Peter's Authority and Power (Acts 5-8)
  9. Peter's Ministry to the Gentiles (Acts 9-11)
  10. Peter's Escape, Hypocrisy, and Counsel (Acts 12-15)
  11. Peter's Death and Legacy (John 21:18-19; 1 and 2 Peter)

A detailed outline enables you to see all the Scripture passages covered.

A free e-mail Bible study containing the same material is available at https://www.jesuswalk.com/peter/  If you are teaching a class you may duplicate free of charge Appendix 1. Participant Notes (PDF format)

  Apostle Peter: Disciple Lessons from the Rock, by Ralph F. WilsonPaperback format, US $17.95 Length: 253  pages. Must be ordered through Amazon.com. The paperback size is 7.5 in  x 9.25 in.  ISBN: 979 8314459096. ASIN: B0F1TPHBX5. Available now.

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Kindle e-book formatKindle E-book format, US $8.95. You may purchase this version directly from Amazon USA  or from national sites below. This is read using a your Kindle or a Kindle Reader program installed on your computer, tablet, or phone. It cannot be printed out (Amazon ASIN: B0F1NL8614). Available now. Amazon USA - Canada - UK - Germany - France - Japan - Mexico - Spain -  Italy -  Netherlands - Brazil - India - Australia 

 
PDF E-book format, $8.95. 253 pages. You purchase this PDF e-books and can download it within minutes. You can read it on your computer in PDF format if you like, or print out a single copy on your printer, either 8-1/2 x 11" or A4 paper. To make multiple copies, get reprint licenses below. No tax is charged on e-books. PDF e-books are ordered directly from the author at JesusWalk Publications. (Remember: If you plan to print this out, your total cost will be the $8.95 for the PDF plus the cost of printing -- paper, ink, toner, etc. In some cases the paperback might be a better value.) Available now.

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Reprint license to make copiesReprint License, $2.50 per copy. This allows you to print additional copies for your own group. Once you've ordered this item, set quantity field for the number of reprints you plan to make and click on "recalculate." One license is required for each additional copy you make beyond the initial book you purchased. This reprint license prohibits sale of the book to individuals outside your local area or congregation. You'll probably want to order a single copy of the e-book also, so you'll have the text from which to reprint. So if you have a group of 6 people, you'll need to order one e-book (for the first reprint) and 5 reprint licenses.

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Copyright © 2025, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor@joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.

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