Lesson 4: Peter’s great sermon.
Passage: Acts 2:22-41 - During his sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter boldly proclaims that Jesus of Nazareth was accredited by God through miracles, signs, and wonders, yet was handed over to be crucified according to God’s plan. Peter declares that God raised Jesus from the dead, fulfilling prophesy, and exalted him as Lord and Messiah. Convicted by his message, the crowd asks what they must do, and Peter urges them to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. About 3,000 people respond to the message and are added to the church that day.
Big Idea: The Spirit makes us brave.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Storytime — Activity Leader
Read book about baptism.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Last week we learned about how Jesus’ followers got a new team member for their mission to share Jesus with the world and build God’s kingdom! Today we’re going to learn about how one of Jesus’ friends, Peter, did something very brave, just like a superhero.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Who helped Peter be brave when he talked to the big crowd of people?
What did Peter tell them about Jesus?
What do you think it means to be Team Jesus?
What’s something very brave that you can do with God’s help?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for loving us and sending Jesus to save us. Thank you that you help us to be brave just like Peter with the power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you that we get to be on Team Jesus by sharing your love with everyone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Watercolour Painting — Activity Leader
Kids will use watercolour to paint a colouring page based on Acts 2:47.
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
-
Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Storytime — Activity Leader
Read book about baptism.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Last week we learned about how Jesus’ followers got a new team member for their mission to share Jesus with the world and build God’s kingdom! Today we’re going to learn about how one of Jesus’ friends, Peter, did something very brave, just like a superhero.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What do you think made Peter so brave when he went up to give his sermon to the crowd?
Has there ever been a time when you had to be brave and do something that scared you?
How is Jesus like a superhero in Peter’s story that he told the people? (he died on the cross and came back to life again, and became the Savior of the world)
Why do you think Peter told the people to be baptized? What do you think is the meaning of baptism?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for loving us and sending Jesus to save us, that you help us to be brave just like Peter with the power of your Holy Spirit, and that we get to be on your team by sharing your love with everyone. Please help us to live for you every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Watercolour Painting — Activity Leader
Kids will use watercolour to paint a colouring page based on Acts 2:47.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
-
Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Water filtration experiment — Activity Leader
1. The leader can give a few students the option to add a layer(cotton, charcoal, gravel, pebbles) to the funnel portion of the bottle.
2. Look at the bottle of dirty water. Use this as an analogy for kids lives… be clear that it isn’t all bad or all good, but there are some not so good parts mixed in there. Jesus wants to help us clear out our unkind ways and live in a way that is loving. Ask kids what they think will happen when they pour it through the filter.
3. Kids can take turns pouring the water over the pebble filter. Go slowly, it needs time to filter through. What is happening to the water coming out the bottom? How do you think this works?
What do you think Jesus uses to clean out our unkind ways and be more loving? Like this filter is a symbol, Baptism is a symbol for what Jesus does in our hearts.https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=60Big9Ut6Mc
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we are continuing our series about the early followers of Jesus.
Can anyone remember what the important mission was that Jesus gave to his followers before he left Earth? (To spread the good news of God’s love and forgiveness with the world)
And what was it that he promised to send them to help them with their mission? (The Holy Spirit)
Today’s story is going to be all about Peter and something really brave that he did.
Read: Acts 2:22-24, 36-39
Now let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
How does Peter’s speech show us that the Holy Spirit had changed him?
Have you ever done something that took a lot of courage and bravery?
What did Peter say about who Jesus is in his sermon to the crowd? What did he tell them they should do?
What does baptism mean to you? What do you think is so special about it?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today about how you sent Jesus to be our savior, and how you used Peter to share that good news that started the early church. Thank you that through the Holy Spirit we can also do brave things and be part of your mission to build your kingdom on earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Watercolour painting — Activity Leader
Kids will use watercolour to paint a colouring page based on Acts 2:47.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What was the really brave thing that Peter did? What helped him to be so brave?
What did Peter tell everyone in the crowd about Jesus?
What are some brave things that you can do with God’s help?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What do you think helped Peter to be brave enough to tell the crowds about Jesus?
Do you think the Holy Spirit can also help us to be brave when we have to do something scary?
In what ways is Jesus like a superhero in Peter’s message to the people?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Peter made a big change, from scared to say that he knew Jesus to bravely preaching to the crowds. What do you think changed him?
Has there ever been a time when you had to be brave? What helped you through it?
What was Peter’s message to the crowds about who Jesus is and what they should do to follow him?
What do you think is so special about baptism? What does it mean to you?
