Meltdown: Forged in the Fire

Forged in the Fire

Meltdown: God’s Response When We Lose It

February 23, 2025

Dr. Clayton Chisum

Mark 14:66-72 NLT

Question #1: Have you ever made a that you didn’t keep?

Jesus went to the cross, but Peter didn’t/ After all his promises, Peter still had a meltdown.

Question #2: Do you have a meltdown that you?

John 21:15-17 NLT

wants to in your meltdown, but will in your meltdown.

John 21:19 NLT – “Follow me”

Jesus all over again.

Revelation 21:5 ESV

When Peter was terrified and ashamed at the sight of a fire, Jesus used that fire to forever remind him of God’s loving ability to make him new.

Isaiah 48:10 NLT

While Satan wants to , Jesus is forging in you a .

In order for Peter to be the Rock, he had to be strengthened through the fire.

1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT

You can’t let your meltdowns define your value or determine your future. Only Jesus gets to do that.

Discussion Questions:

1. The sermon started with Peter’s bold claim that he’d never betray Jesus, only to fail spectacularly. What’s a time in your life when you felt overconfident about something and then faced a meltdown moment? How did it feel to realize you didn’t live up to your own expectations?
2. Clayton’s sermon asked, “Have you ever made a promise to God that you didn’t keep?” Share an example if you’re comfortable – big or small. How did it affect your relationship with God or your view of yourself?
3. Peter’s memory of the charcoal fire in John 21 brought back his betrayal. Clayton’s sermon asked, “Do you have a past meltdown that haunts you?” Without going into too much detail unless you want to, how does that memory still impact you today? What makes it hard to let go?
4. In John 21:15-17, Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” -mirroring Peter’s three denials- and then gave him a purpose: “Feed my sheep.” What does this exchange tell us about how Jesus meets us in our failures? How does it contrast with how Satan wants to “sift” us, as mentioned in Luke 22?
5. How have you seen a tough moment or meltdown in your life refine your faith or character, even if it didn’t feel good at the time? Can you relate to Peter’s journey from brokenness to being “the Rock”?
6. Peter later wrote in 1 Peter 1:6-7 about trials strengthening faith, something he learned firsthand. What’s one specific way you can let Jesus redefine a past mistake or current struggle this week? How might that lead to a bigger purpose or perspective?