Session 11

Weak (Mark 14:37-39)

37 Then he came and found them sleeping.
He said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping?
Couldn’t you stay awake one hour?
38 Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation.
The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
39 Once again he went away and prayed, saying the same thing.

Ask:

• When has someone you were really depending on let you down?
• How did that make you feel?

Note that Jesus was going through a dark time and finding the disciples asleep did not comfort Him.

Paraphrase:

paraphrase Jesus’s dialogue with Peter.
Discuss what Jesus meant by contrasting the spirit and the flesh.
Encourage adults to talk about times when their good intentions failed to produce meaningful action.

Some scholars think Jesus called Peter out because he had boasted about His loyalty to Jesus earlier in the evening.

Ask:

• How does the contrast between Jesus and His disciples emphasize our human weakness?
• How can prayer protect a believer from the dangers of temptation? (p. 95)

Pray:

Jesus prayed when He was distressed.

Allow some time to silently pray about a struggle they are facing.
Encourage students to lean into God’s grace and to be honest with Him about what they are feeling.
After a couple of minutes, say a prayer for the group.