The Story
Read one or more of these stories about Peter and the Lord:
- Peter walking on the water (Matthew 14:22-33).
- Peter denies the Lord three times (Luke 22:31-34,54-62).
- The Lord tells Peter to “feed My lambs” (John 21:15-17).
Ideas for Discussing Peter
- We read about Peter in many stories in the New Testament. He was one of the first disciples called by the Lord. His name comes first when the disciples are listed. And he often speaks for the other disciples.
- It is Peter who says to the Lord: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (John 6:68-69; Matthew 16:13-16).
- The stories about Peter illustrate the development of faith in our lives. First, we need to learn truths about the Lord and the life of heaven. Then we need to use these truths in our lives and trust in the Lord. Our faith will be tested but the Lord is always ready to help us.
- Peter represents the rock of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the one and only living God. It is this faith that opens heaven to us. Yet faith, by its very nature is not constant. Faith is never sure of itself until it has been tempted. It is not an abiding faith until it has become life” (“The Meaning of the Disciple Peter” by Karl R. Alden).
- Kurt Horigan Asplundh notes that “What is said about Peter applies to each of us as well. We are all disciples of the Lord, and so the Lord might well ask each one of us, ‘Do you love Me?’ Have we strengthened our faith by hearing what the Lord teaches and by practicing it?” (“Having Faith in the Lord”).
- How can the stories about Peter help us learn how to have true faith in the Lord?
Read more about the Lord and Peter
- “Peter’s Bravery” by Peter M. Buss, Sr. (ages 7-14)
Though Peter was a leader among the Lord’s disciples, he was afraid when the Lord was arrested. As predicted by the Lord, Peter denied knowing the Lord not once but three times. But Peter became one of the bravest of men. - “Being Like Peter” by Morley D. Rich (for teens)
Introduces the spiritual meaning of the disciple Peter and what his life can teach us. - “Having Faith in the Lord” by Kurt Horigan Asplundh (teens and adults)
To be living and valuable, faith must stand with love.... Have we strengthened our faith by hearing what the Lord teaches and by practicing it? - “The Meaning of the Disciple Peter” by Karl R. Alden
As we see this colorful character weaving his way through the Gospel stories, we may also visualize our own faith.
Projects and Activities for All Ages
- The Lord and Peter Walk on Water (ages 4-6)
This easy project allows little ones to retell the story of the Lord and Peter walking on the water. - Walking on Water (ages 4-10)
Cut a slit in the picture so that children can retell the story of Peter walking on water toward the Lord, sinking as he began to doubt the Lord’s power to help him, and then being pulled to safety by the Lord. - Walking on the Sea Coloring Page by Lisa S. Buss
Shows the Lord walking on the water and reaching out His hand to Peter. - Peter’s Life Story Line (ages 7-14)
Use the story line template to note highs and lows in Peter’s life. You may want to focus on Peter’s life during the three years of the Lord’s ministry on earth, paying special attention to when his faith was stronger and weaker. - Peter Serves the Lord Sequencing Strips (ages 7-14)
Cut apart the story strips of Peter's life then sequence them to tell his story. - Short Plays about the Lord and His Disciple, Simon Peter (ages 10-14)
Four scenes about the Lord and Peter from the gospels of Matthew and John, and two later scenes from the book of Acts. - Faith in the Lord Bookmarks
Print these bookmarks to help you remember to “trust in the Lord and not be afraid” (Isaiah 12:2). - “Get in the Boat and Go” Spiritual Task by David Roth
The Lord can become fully present in our life when we let go and let Him lead us. - Write about Peter’s Perspective on the Life of the Lord (teens and up)
After reading and reflecting on key stories in the Gospels which involve Peter, try writing a narrative of the Lord’s ministry from the perspective of Peter. You may want to focus on the story about walking on water, denying the Lord three times, or the Lord thrice asking Peter whether he loves Him.
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