St. Peter

PETER

Objectives:

  1. Students should know that Peter was one of Jesus’s twelve disciples.
  2. Students should know that Peter started the church in Rome.

3.   Students should know that Peter died as a martyr, upside down on a cross in Rome.

Possible Lesson Plan:

  1. Open with prayer.
  2. Again, use the Scriptures to review the life of St. Peter:

Mark 1:16-18                    Calling as a fisherman

Mark 3:13-19                    Choosing of the twelve/ nickname Peter (the rock)

Matthew 14:22-33             Walking on water

Matthew 16:13-19             Keys to the kingdom

Matthew 17:1-6                Transfiguration

Luke 22:54-62                   Denial

John 21: 1-19                    Feed My Sheep

Acts 2:14-15, 37-41          Pentecost

 

Now for some new scenes in his life:

Acts 3:1-10                       Healing the Lame Man

Acts 4:1-3, 18-22              Brought before the Sanhedrin

Acts 5:17-25                     Freed from Prison, Preaching in Temple

Acts 9:36-43                     Raising of Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead

Acts 10                              Peter and Cornelius – review this, already read

Acts 12:3-17                     Miraculous escape from prison

Acts 15                              Council in Jerusalem – review this, already read

 

Peter finally traveled to Rome. He was the first bishop of Rome and was crucified upside down by the Emperor Nero on the same day St. Paul died.

 

  1. Peter was also one of the Lord’s greatest apostles. Work a bit on the words “disciple” and “apostle”. Say the words and have the students repeat them. Peter was both – the disciples were the original followers of Jesus who studied and lived with the Lord during His life on earth. So, a disciple is a student, a follower. How many of the original twelve can the students name? One man was chosen to take the place of the one who betrayed Jesus? Who betrayed Jesus? Who took his place? How was Matthias chosen? “Apostle” is someone sent out by the Lord to establish His Church. So, an apostle is a leader, a teacher. Peter was a disciple who, on Pentecost became an apostle. What happened on Pentecost? Paul never knew Jesus on earth but was sent by Him to establish churches all over the Mediterranean world. See if the students can land these famous people in the right category:

Disciple           Disciple and Apostle  Apostle        Neither

      Judas Iscariot        Peter                                                 Paul                             Abraham

                                    Thomas                                            Silas                             David

                                    Andrew                                             Luke                            Daniel

                                    John

                                    James  

Are there still apostles in modern times? Watch future lessons for the answer.

 

  1. Play a learning game: Final Jeopardy: Write answers, each on one sheet of paper. Give each student a sheet of paper. Hold up an answer and give about 1 minute to write a question. Some possible answers:

Lame Man

Tabitha (Dorcas)

Cornelius

Simon the Tanner

Angel

Rhoda

Nero

 

  1. We will make a very small book, with pictures from the life of St. Peter to color inside; can you tell each of these stories? Then fold and enjoy! Pattern is on the next page. Begin by printing the page on white copy paper. Fold down the middle lengthwise and widthwise, then fold again widthwise to make a fold between each picture. Unfold and LOOK. Fold carefully lengthwise and CUT with scissors down the middle line ONLY between the two middle pictures, leaving the paper intact on the ends. Refold, bulging the two middle sections so the blank sides turn back to back, locating the front and back (words and icon of Peter and Paul).  Entire booklet should fall into place with eight small pages. Fold firmly.

6. End with prayer: Lord, make me now Your good disciple learner.