Simon Peter: Flawed but Faithful Disciple

by Adam Hamilton

He left everything to follow his teacher and possessed a passion that would change the world. That’s one way to describe Peter. Here’s poor, uneducated, quick-tempered, and full of doubts and fears. Doesn’t even sound like the same man. And that’s the point of Simon Peter, a new book and six-week adult Bible study by Adam Hamilton. Peter was just an ordinary guy who heard and followed God’s extraordinary call. Discover how you, too, have special gifts, talents, and abilities that God can use to make a difference today. In addition to the Leader Guide and DVD components for adult studies, corresponding youth and children’s resources, sold separately, can be used to create a churchwide study.Chapters The Call of the Fisherman Walking with Jesus in the Storm Bedrock or Stumbling Block? “I Will Not Deny You” From Cowardice to Courage The Rest of the Story

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Religion, Faith, Christianity, Spirituality, Christian Living

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 18, 2018

About the author

Rev. Adam Hamilton is the founding pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. He grew up in the Kansas City area. He earned a B.A. degree in Pastoral Ministry from Oral Roberts University and a Master of Divinity Degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.

The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection has grown from four people in 1990 to more than 16,000 adult members with an average weekly worship attendance of more than 8,600 in 2011. The church was listed as the most influential mainline church in America in a 2005 survey of American pastors.

Adam has been married 30 years to LaVon. They have two grown daughters.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent review of the life of the Apostle Peter. Our church used this in our Wednesday evening Bible study group. Learning his background and life events was very interesting as I'd known the common events in his life but not the traits of faith and personality that evolved over the course of his life. The video that accompanied this study was very helpful. Hamilton visits Israel and we see the locations of the events of the New Testament. I read the book but in this case those who didn't could get the highlights of the study from the video. I highly recommend this book (and video) to groups for study. It would be a good choice for a Lenten study or anytime during the year.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0

A little dash of history, a smidgen of travelogue and a lot of food for the soul. This was a great way to confirm and recalibrate so many things that are at the very center of my life, while at the same time learning more about "the Rock" of Christianity.

[Michelle M. Silvers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Great Bible study on Simon Peter, the Rock. I recommend for anyone wanting to delve into the Gospels and the life of the Apostle Peter

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’ve used this one for our small group—and interesting, thoughtful road for Lent. Has been jumping off place for discussion and encouragement for us as we seek to follow Him.

[Elizabeth Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve really enjoyed studying the lives of the disciples after Jesus. This book is such a good reminder that we don’t have to be perfect to be loved by God. In fact Peter was called “the rock” even though many times he failed, but there is a beauty in making mistakes and perseverance through them.

[Mike Mears · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book recommended by one of our associate pastors and carried in our bookstore. This is a book I’ll recommend myself. Simon Peter is a complicated man, as we all are. One minute he’s a champion for God, the next minute he’s denying Christ. The author states upfront that this isn’t an academic effort into the life of Peter. If you were stop right there, you would have missed a rich inspiring book that strives to take Peter’s life and use it as an application for our own. I love the fact that Mr Hamilton uses pictures, actual photos, but also word pictures. I’ll use this book again as a study guide when I read the book of Acts and the Epistles of Peter. Hope others enjoy and find meaning in this book as much as I did.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great in-depth study of the life of Peter, in a very readable, relatable format. I always enjoy, value and learn from Pastor Hamilton’s books. It made me want to go back and read several books of the Bible that go further into Peter’s ministry and teachings (which the book encourages). Recommend!

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the book our women’s group at church has been reading through for the year. We previously read Hamilton’s book THE LORD’S PRAYER. Each month, we would read a chapter and then discuss it. If you are familiar with The Chosen series, the first few chapters of this book follow the same story in several of the first few episodes.

Simon Peter was a regular guy who had doubts just like we do but after witnessing one of Jesus’ miracles, he quickly became one of his disciples. Like Peter, we have all denied Jesus. We’ve denied his existence, faith in us, and desire to be with us in every moment. We have all lived times in our lives that were inconsistent with our faith. But we are human and we are not defined by our failures. Jesus doesn’t define us that way and we shouldn’t either.

Author Adam Hamilton shares his excitement about showing photos of his granddaughter to others. He loves her so much, that the excitement spills out of him. In this same way, he shares an example about Simon Peter.

"That’s how Peter and the apostles felt about Jesus’ impact on their lives. It was so profound that Peter had to share it. He couldn’t stop talking about it. Has your faith impacted you in this way? Has your experience with the risen Christ been so life-giving that you had to share it? Have you been so filled by the Spirit that you just had to tell others about your faith in Christ?"

I found some real-life examples and reminders in this book. Hamilton convicted me by reminding me to be sure that I live in such a way that people around me know that I am a Christian.

” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so those that speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. “
1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV

[Cathryn Conroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are ALL Simon Peter. We say we will never betray Jesus, but we do and he forgives us—just as he did many times with the disciple Simon, the man Jesus named Peter, which means rock in Greek. That message of faith, hope, and inspiration is the basis of this highly readable book by Adam Hamilton.

Written for laypeople—not scholars—this book focuses on six events in the life of Simon Peter: Jesus calling him to become a fisher of men; Jesus walking on the water in the midst of a raging storm and inviting Peter to do the same; Peter revealing to Jesus his identity as the messiah but then arguing with Jesus about his death; claiming he will not deny him—and then doing so three times; meeting the resurrected Jesus on the beach; and Peter's work building the church after Jesus's death and resurrection.

While each of these events is fully and eloquently explained, the true power of this short, but impressive book is in Hamilton's interpretation of the meaning behind these biblical stories. It is ideal reading for the six weeks of Lent.

[Janis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Simon Peter: Flawed But Faithful Disciple as part of a six-session study group led by our pastor. We enjoyed reading and discussing the book as well as watching author Adam Hamilton’s corresponding videos. The book includes photos from the Holy Land and Rome and could be read without a study group. Hamilton speculates about missing details about Simon Peter’s life, but he’s very careful to explain what is actually documented in the Bible.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

When my Bible Study group picked this as a book, I wasn't very excited - even though I offered it as a choice! But I did know that it would be a solid study - much if not all of Hamilton's studies are. And it was a solid study. That led to a lot of really good conversation. And I learned a lot from it as well! So despite my lack of initial enthusiasm, I'd wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone wanting to take a closer look at the life and faith of Peter.

[Sam Mansfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gives This Flawed Human Hope

I like Hamilton’s writing style in painting a picture of a disciple that I now understand played a big part of the church beginnings. I enjoyed the last chapter, but wish there would have been more before the last chapters because I was already familiar with the events leading up to his preachings and death.

[Patty Corwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for a church group study.
Adam Hamilton is an excellent author, blending scripture with photos of the “places where it happened.” Our group also watched the DVDs where Hamilton teaches the information and actually goes to the sites spoken of in the book. Hamilton paints a picture of the faithful yet flawed disciple, giving me hope and strength for my own Christian walk.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best Bible study I have ever done. I told my group I want to repeat it again in six months. This study spoke to me like none other. Adam Hamilton offers great insight. I had a lot of "A Ha" moments. The companion video of the sights where Peter walked was the icing on the cake. I would give this ten stars if allowed.

[Janis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Hamilton never disappoints! The little black & white pix are useless, though. I couldn’t tell what I was looking at. Maps were useful. If you can watch the accompanying film that goes with this book, absolutely do it! It’s the most gorgeous of any of his that I’ve watched & quite interesting as well.

[Phillip III · Rating 5 out of 5]

While a taut 170 pages, it is jam-packed with what I needed. Paul and Peter are two of my favorite people (aside from Jesus) in the Bible. And I enjoy reading books by pastors who dive deeper into their person. This was my first book by Adam Hamilton, but I am anxious to read some of his other works.

[Gail Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read and discussed this with my Bible Study group. A good luck at Peter -- my favorite disciple -- and how he messed up (often because he tried too hard), yet became a great apostle, bringing many folks to Christianity.

[Nancy Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by Adam Hamilton about a Biblical character - a great way to immerse oneself into the time of Jesus and the early church, especially with the DVD, which is such a fun way to travel into that era and history. Our Bible Study group so enjoys these studies!

[Leanne Hale · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Adam Hamilton's studies. Like all of his others I've read, it's wonderful mix of history and application to faith. While not a Lenten study, it's how I read it and found it to be perfect for this time in the litugical calendar.

[Lance Kuhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adam Hamilton digs into the time and place of Peter's work to make his character and actions make sense for us. Having everything in context gives us much better insight into why he did what he did, and why Jesus chose him to be the Rock.

[Elliot Salinas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed reading more about not only Peter but the context of around the scriptures themselves throughout the bible.

I would highly recommend this to someone that wants to learn more about being a disciple themself.

[Gilbert C. Hanke]

Get a Clearer Picture of This Leader Who Followed Christ

This cleared up many questions I had from other New Testament texts. I have been to the Holy land once, and Hamilton 's words brought back wonderful memories.

[Travious Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many valuable lessons to be learned about what it looks like to be flawed but striving to live a life of love for Jesus and not only that, but what it looks like to be forgiven, and spreading that forgiveness to others

[Karen Babri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hamilton writes another insightful book. I'm looking forward to watching the DVD.

[Carol Willhoit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book

[Irene Monson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are we all a little like Simon

I found this book very encouraging and a good group study book in preparation for Easter and my journey to being a stronger Christian

[Rob Blaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounding up from 3.5 stars. Not my favorite Adam Hamilton work, but a nice reflection on an iconic figure.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read, inspirational.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is easy to read and understand. This is the first book by Adam Hamilton I have read. The material is well organized. The pictures included add to the depth of his writing.

[Tim Ogle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hamilton provides a scholarly researched narrative of Peter, the flaws but faithful disciple of Jesus.