PETER AND CORNELIUS

Objectives:

1. Children should be able to tell the story of Peter and his vision.
2. Children should know the meaning of the words “Jew” and “Gentile”.
3. Children should know that Jesus loves all people.

Possible Lesson Plan:

1. Open with prayer.
2. Read the story in the Golden Children’s Bible, pages 470-471. Discuss the meaning of the word, “Jew”, and say it a few times. Remind the children about the story of Abraham (or reread it) and how God chose this people. For what purpose? To prepare for Jesus, the Messiah. The Jewish people called all other people “Gentiles” and did not associate with them. Remind them also (or reread) that God gave a strict law to Moses that included which animals were “clean” and which “unclean”. “Unclean” animals were not allowed to be eaten, just as we do not eat meat during Great Lent. Review the definition of clean: animals that have divided hooves and chew cud and sea creatures with fins and scales. Look at pictures of animals to see the hooves and fins and scales; bring pictures of animals (or a book from the library) to class as a reference for the next activity.

Add St. Peter to your timeline. 

3. Feed the Elephant True/False questions:

This time have the children feed the elephant only clean animals; choose from those below and look at pictures and discuss their eating habits to make your decision.

Clean                                                                     Unclean

Cow                                                                      Pig      

Lamb                                                                     Rabbit

Goat                                                                      Dog

Salmon                                                                  Shrimp

Bluefish                                                                 Oyster

4. Re-enact the vision with a sheet and stuffed animals (or the vast array of animal puppets we have in the cabinet). God told Peter to eat all animals; that God makes all things He blesses clean. Have the children tell stories of their favorite pets or stuffed animals. Do they love them, even the ugly ones? Even the “unclean”ones?

5. Remind the children that Jesus loves all people, everywhere, and commands us to do the same. Bring pictures of children of other lands with dress, skin color, customs different from ours. Sing “Jesus loves the Little Children” several times.

6. Make paper plate masks, this time of unclean, but lovely in God’s eyes, animals. Use the list above for ideas. Some others are cat, lion, raccoon, camel, whale, shark. Cut holes for eyes, punch holes on each side for tying string, color and decorate with yarn, etc.

7. Close with prayer: Lord help me to love everyone this week with Your love.