Peter talks about Jesus

Acts 2:14, 22-24, 32-33, 37, 38, 41

To help the children learn that God prepared and helped Peter announce the good news about Jesus.

“They never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah” (Acts 5:42b, NIV*).

Peter was a simple fisherman who became a faithful disciple of Jesus. He was one of the first ones whom Jesus called to follow him (John 1: 35-42).

Peter was a strong man, brave but hasty. Jesus called him “the rock.” Sometimes his strong personality caused him trouble. He often spoke and acted without carefully thinking, as when he denied Jesus after his arrest (John 18:17, 25-27). However, Jesus knew Peter’s heart and knew that he would become a great leader of his people.

After his resurrection, Jesus forgave Peter for denying that he knew him, and invited him again to follow him (John 21:19).

This impetuous man did not despise the invitation of his teacher, friend and savior, but became the leader of the Christian community. He was an eloquent preacher and introduced many people to the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit did a beautiful work in the life of Peter; he helped him to master his character and to work harder in the ministry entrusted to him by Jesus. Many people heard his preaching and the message of salvation. In this way, the believers began to multiply, and the proclamation of the gospel spread everywhere.

Peter was a hot-headed man by nature and at times, he apologized for his deeds, or what he said without thinking. Something similar happens to us; the circumstances or our character make us act many times with haste, without reflecting on the consequences of our actions.

God can teach us to control this tendency of acting before we carefully think.

Have you noticed in any of your children the tendency to react guided by their impulses?

It is common for young children to act in an impulsive way.

It is important for your children to identify with the apostle Peter and learn that, despite his character, God used him to preach the good news of Jesus Christ, his Son, to countless people.

This time, God wants to use you to proclaim the good news to your children. Then it is they who will carry that message to others.

This is a beautiful teaching about the message of salvation: God uses his children as carriers of the words of life.

This was Peter

Invite a member of your congregation to represent the apostle Peter (he may wear a tunic or sheet as a costume). Ask him to tell the children some important facts about the life of this biblical character (his work as a fisherman, his birthplace, the time of his encounter with Jesus, etc.).

Have the group form a semicircle and sit down, and provide a chair for the guest. Welcome him, and let him begin his story. If children have questions, let them ask them freely.

It is important that preschoolers become familiar with the biblical hero of this unit.

After the guest leaves, hand out blank paper and crayons for the children to draw Peter. When everyone is finished, have them hang the pictures on a wall to form a mural.

Tell them: “Here we have many drawings about the biblical character of this unit. Peter was a man who loved and obeyed God. During these lessons, we will learn more about his life.”

Use the following activity to teach children biblical truth.

Peter speaks to a large crowd

Prior to the session carefully read Acts 2:14, 22-24, 32-33, 37 – 38 and 41 and be prepared to tell the story in your own words.

The apostle Peter followed Jesus throughout his ministry on earth. He saw with his own eyes all the miracles that the Son of God did; even walked on the water next to Jesus.

When Jesus died, Peter felt very sad. But when Jesus was resurrected, he was filled with a very special joy. He surely knew the Son of God and knew that he had to fulfill the task Jesus left him: to preach the gospel to all people.

One day while Peter was with the other disciples in Jerusalem, they received a very special visit: the Holy Spirit of God descended upon them, filling them with power. Peter went out into the street and began to preach the message of salvation.

He told people that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came into the world to die for the sins of all. He also told them that although they all saw Jesus crucified, God raised him from the dead on the third day. “He is risen, he is alive!” said Peter, “and he wants all to repent of their sins and return to him.”

That day, more than three thousand people believed in the message of the gospel. God used Peter as an instrument to proclaim to others the plan of salvation through the death and resurrection of Christ.

Peter talks about Jesus

Prepare in advance Student Activity Sheet #45-A, #45-B and #45-C. You may need to cut out in advance several of the figures of Peter that corresponds to this lesson. Hand out the activity sheets. Let those who are able carefully cut out and paste or tape the figure of Peter in the midst of the crowd. Help them to remember the day that Peter spoke to the people who were in Jerusalem. Allow time for the children to color the figures that are blank, and trace the Faith Word (Jesus) of the unit.

When all are done, turn to Student Activity Sheet #-45-C and have the children color the spaces that have a dot to find the mysterious name. If they wish, they can color the rest of the letters with different colors.

Encourage the children to take home their activity sheets and use them to share today’s lesson with their family and friends.