Throughout the gospel accounts, Peter repeatedly failed Jesus as a disciple. He didn't listen. He challenged Jesus' authority. He told Jesus he was wrong. The few times Peter is praised by Jesus are quickly followed by Peter putting his foot in his mouth once again. He even swore to follow Jesus to death but then abandoned and denied him.

By the time we get to Acts, the change in Peter is astounding. He is a different man. The power with which he speaks to the crowds, the strength he exhibits in the face of opposition, the complete trust in God he demonstrates as he endures prison and persecution-this man Peter had experienced a radical transformation since he had traveled through Galilee learning from Jesus.

What happened?

Take a walk through the gospels and see the man whom Jesus called to be one of his closest disciples.
Put yourself in Peter's sandals and experience what it was like to follow the Son of God.
Imagine yourself in Galilee, seeing what Peter saw and hearing what he heard. And ask yourself, how would I have responded if I was Peter?

Because, in the end, we all have a little bit of Peter in us.

We all face situations in which we say something stupid. We all think we know better than others. We all deny Christ when we are embarrassed to acknowledge we know him. We all run away when we are scared. But Jesus is here, as he was with Peter, to forgive us, correct us, rebuke us, and encourage us.

Peter gives us hope. He is our picture of how one person can fail over and over again yet continue to receive the forgiveness and love of the Lord.

Each of this book's 12 chapters includes questions for self-reflection or group discussion, so it is easily adapted as a devotional type study, whether individually or with a group.