Chapter 2 Discussion

[Angela]

This chapter's focus is on Peter. He seems to be struggling regarding accusations of disloyalty to the king. He also seems burdened with finding out buried truths of his family history, not knowing enough about his past and ancestry.

Peter seems to feel pretty defeated, fearful of losing everything, and doesn't have much faith that everything will work out. He is also being difficult with himself regarding his stutter, believing if he was a better communicator, etc. he would be able to explain and be more believable.

This makes me think of difficult times during war or times of conflict where people were judged by name, skin color, associations with people or businesses. Have you ever felt wrongly judged or accused of something out of your control? How did you handle and move past it?

[Angela]

While I've never felt fearful for my life, I have felt unfairly judged and criticized. When I was middle school age, I tried out for cheerleader and made the squad while a more popular girl did not. Out of jealousy, I was mocked and ostracized and called fat.

That was a very disappointing time in my life, not understanding what I had done or why classmates were being so cruel to me. At times, they would seem to be more accepting of me, only I would find out it was just a plan to further embarrass me. It affected my trust in others and could be very lonely.

As an adult, at times I have questioned God searching for purpose in my hardships, looking for discernment to make good of the unfortunate circumstances in my life. I can say it has made me a more compassionate person toward others facing hardships. Through my pain, I've been able to identify with others experiencing their own. It's enabled me to be there for others in their vulnerable moments, hopefully providing comfort to look past the pain and toward opportunity.

I am reminded Jesus meets us where we are. He understands us and unjustly suffered the ultimate brutality from the hands of others who failed to see Him for who he was. While I have failed him time and time again in my mistakes, in my reactions, He is always there for me. When I look for direction, I only need to look for Him and while I can never be as good as He is, I can strive to be more like Him by spending time with Him and gaining His insight, understanding and discernment.

[Britnie]

I too have never feared for my life with anything. The only thing that comes to mind for me is when I was in 6th grade. I went to a school that was 98% Mexican. I was pretty much the only white girl in my class so this specific group of boys would make fun of me all the time. It even got to the point where one day walking home from school this group of boys jumped me. It was a very hard time in my life because I was being judged because of my skin color instead of who I was. Luckily those boys are long gone and I haven't had any contact with them since that year.

I really like how you tied Jesus into this. He was ridiculed and made fun of and even crucified because of who he said he was. He went through things I pray I never have to go through myself.