Teaching

We just played a game about finding lost sheep. Before Jesus was arrested, He spoke about His sheep—His followers—being scattered and lost.

Have five children look up and read one verse each of Matthew 26:31–35:

³¹ On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert Me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ ³² But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” ³³ Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts You, I will never desert You.” ³⁴ Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know Me.” ³⁵ “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.

In these verses, Jesus referred to a prophecy in Zechariah 13:7 about how the shepherd would be struck down and the sheep would be scattered. Yet Peter boldly declared that he would never deny Jesus, even if it meant his own death! Many people talk about Peter’s failure—however, the other disciples all made the same promise! They all loved Jesus, yet they failed when faced with a difficult decision in their human weakness.  

How many times did Peter deny knowing Jesus? Three times.

Write three large minus signs on the board with space between them, like this:  –  –  – . These minus signs represent Peter’s three failures or negative actions.

Jesus warned Peter that he would do that, yet Peter did not believe it was possible. Peter was very confident in his own strength and abilities.

Afterward, Peter was heartbroken at what he had done. He was devastated to realize he had turned his back on Jesus. Perhaps Peter thought his life had no more direction or purpose. He returned to the one thing he knew—fishing. That’s where Jesus came to Peter and called out to him.

When Peter realized it was Jesus on the beach, he was so excited that he swam to shore ahead of all the others. After Peter and the disciples ate the meal Jesus had prepared for them, Jesus asked Peter three questions to search his heart.

Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. The first two times, Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him using the Greek word Agapao, which means unconditional love—the highest kind of love that always continues, no matter what happens.

Before Jesus died, Peter had boasted about loving Him—yet he had failed and his heart was broken. Peter answered that he loved Jesus using the Greek word Phileo, which means brotherly love.

Jesus then asked Peter a third time, using the Greek word Phileo for brotherly love instead of the word Agapao for unconditional love. The Bible tells us that Peter was deeply hurt when Jesus asked him if he loved him for the third time. Peter answered that Jesus knew everything and that yes, he loved Jesus, using the word for brotherly love.

As you discuss each assignment Jesus gave Peter, draw a vertical line through a minus sign on the board to make it a plus sign.   

Each time Peter answered, Jesus gave him an assignment—a new purpose in life. The first time, Jesus told Peter to continuously feed His lambs. These are young sheep, like all of you—young and growing! Jesus wanted Peter to feed young children and young believers with the Word of God to help them grow. 

The second time, Jesus told Peter to take care of His sheep. This means to watch over and protect adults and mature believers.

The third time, Jesus told Peter to feed His sheep; to teach believers God’s Word and help them grow to be more like Jesus. Jesus forgave and restored Peter three times; one for each time he denied Jesus!

Point to the board. What have these minus signs become? Plus or positive signs.

Do the plus signs remind you of something else? Crosses.  

Yes! Jesus turned Peter’s failures and negative actions into positives; He forgave and restored Peter, and gave him new purpose in life. Through the power of the cross, Jesus forgives our failures and strengthens our weaknesses! Satan desired to sift Peter and cause him to lose his faith forever; however, God used the sifting for Peter’s good, to mature and refine him. Three times Peter failed. Three times Jesus forgave. Three times Jesus restored and gave Peter a new assignment. So, if you ever feel as if God can’t forgive you or have a purpose for your life, remember that what He did for Peter, He will do for you!

OPTIONAL OBJECT LESSON: Uncover the materials on the table. Hold up the clear pitcher with pebbles and water. Coinciding with the presentation below, slowly pour all of the pitcher’s contents through the strainer into the other container. The strainer should allow only the water to pass into the clear container.

Let’s say that this pitcher represents Peter. He had many good and positive things, which are represented by the water in the container. He also had many impurities or undesirable things, represented by the pebbles. Like all of us, Peter was a mixture of positive things and negative things. God wants to purify us—to remove the negative things—so we can glorify Him with our lives.

Peter thought he was strong before he was tested; however, he found that he was weak when faced with a difficult situation. Through the test, Peter was humbled.

Being a follower of Jesus is not easy. As we follow Jesus, we will be tested and refined, too—not once but many times. Each time we can become stronger and grow closer to Jesus as we trust Him, and as the chaff or negative parts of our lives are refined and removed.   

Peter was strengthened by the testing in his life. After the test, Peter would be filled with the Holy Spirit and given power to follow Jesus with power and boldness as never before in his own strength. Jesus called Peter to strengthen others and to take care of His lambs and sheep. Jesus calls each one of us to do the same! 

We can be filled with faith and hope because we know that Jesus is with us through every trial and test we go through! He calls out to us, loves, forgives, and prays for us—we have His promise!  

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Hand out the craft supplies to any children who were not present for the previous lesson. Have them follow the directions to complete their craft. Display the sample craft for children to see. 

Our challenge is based on James 1:19b:

You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

When we get excited or angry, it’s easy to say something quickly, without thinking. What does God want us to do?

Did any of you think about this scripture since we met last time? What happened when you did? 

Let’s continue to use our crafts as a reminder to stop, think and pray before we say or do something we shouldn’t. God will help us—if we trust Him! 

Note: For additional discussion on the lessons Peter learned and the letters he wrote to the New Testament church, see Additional Activities—Bible Study: Peter’s Books.