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. Can the children recall any instances when Jesus did talk to a non-Jew, or even perform a miracle? (the Samaritan woman at the well, the Roman centurion’s servant) . 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.

3. True/False questions:

This time have the students choose from those below clean and unclean and look at pictures and discuss their eating habits to make your decision. You could use stickers and a sheet of construction paper divided into two columns; let the students put the correct side of the paper.

Clean                                                                     Unclean

Cow                                                                      Pig      

Lamb                                                                     Rabbit

Goat                                                                      Dog

Salmon                                                                  Shrimp

Bluefish                                                                 Oyster

4. Remind the children that Jesus loves all people, everywhere, and commands us to do the same. None of God’s children is “unclean”. Bring pictures of children of other lands with dress, skin color, customs different from ours. Sing “Jesus loves the Little Children” several times.

5. Make a Story Wheel: Take two paper plates. Divide one into five sections. In each section, draw a scene from the story: Peter on the roof sleeping, vision of the animals, Peter walking to the house of Cornelius, Peter healing, the Holy Spirit descending (a tongue of fire?) Cut a wedge from the other plate the size of one scene. Attach the second plate over the first with a brad. Tell the story by turning the plate to show the illustrations one at a time.

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