Lesson 5: Jesus forgives Peter.
Passage: John 21 - After his resurrection, Jesus appears again to his disciples by the Sea of Galilee. Several disciples, including Peter, go fishing but catch nothing until Jesus, standing on the shore (though they don’t recognize him yet), tells them to cast their net on the right side of the boat, leading to a miraculous catch. Recognizing Jesus, Peter jumps into the water to reach him. After having breakfast together, Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him, restoring him after his earlier denial and commissioning him to “feed my sheep.”
Big Idea: Jesus gives us second chances.
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: Follow the Leader — Activity Leader
The kids will stand in a circle and take turns being the leader who will lead the group in different actions.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be hearing one more Easter story from Nana Alex. This time it will be about how Jesus visited his friends after he came back to life!
Let’s watch our video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What were the disciples doing when Jesus came to visit them? What did Jesus help them do?
How did Peter feel when he saw Jesus again?
What did Jesus ask Peter three times? Why do you think he asked him that?
Do you think Jesus gives us second chances just like he gave to Peter?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you that you love us, forgive us, and always give us second chances when we make mistakes, just like Jesus gave Peter a second chance. Please remind us how much you love us every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Bead + Pipe Cleaner Craft — Activity Leader
Kids can make flowers or other creations out of beads and pipe cleaners.
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.
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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: Caterpillar Race — Activity Leader
You will need a standing and finish line (perhaps the kids can go around a table and return to the front of the classroom). Split the kids into teams of four or five. Each team will form a straight line and each kid will place their hands on the shoulders of the kid in front of them. On the count of three, everyone will crouch down like a caterpillar, being careful not to let go of their teammate’s shoulders. Then they will race around the track!
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be hearing one more Easter story from Nana Alex. This time it will be about how Jesus visited his friends after he came back to life!
Let’s watch our video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What were the disciples doing when Jesus came to visit them? What miracle did Jesus do?
How did Peter react when he realized that it was Jesus?
What did Jesus ask Peter three times? Why do you think he asked him that? (Because Peter denied him three times, Jesus was giving him a chance to take it back by saying he loved him three times)
Has there ever been a time when you needed forgiveness and a second chance like Peter? Do you think Jesus is always willing to forgive us when we make mistakes?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you that you love us, forgive us, and always give us second chances when we make mistakes, just like Jesus did for Peter. Please help us to apologize when we are wrong and also forgive others when they wrong us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Bead + Pipe Cleaner Craft — Activity Leader
Kids can make flowers or other creations out of beads and pipe cleaners.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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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
This activity can be done with the whole class or in small groups. Together, the kids will tell a story. Provide a theme, or let them have free reign (with a reminder to keep things appropriate). The first person will start the story with just four words. Then the next person will add four words of their own. Continue until everyone has gotten a chance or the story is finished.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we have one more Easter Story with Nana Alex. This time it’s about what happened AFTER Jesus’ resurrection and how he visited his friends by the water. Let’s start by reading our passage.
Read: John 21
Now let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What were the disciples up to at the beginning of the story? Why do you think they went back to their fishing after Jesus’ death?
What was the miracle that Jesus performed for them? Why do you think this made Peter recognize him?
What was the question that Jesus asked Peter three times? Why do you think he did that?
Has there ever been a time when you messed up and needed a second chance? What about a time when you needed to forgive someone else for hurting you?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
Dear God, thank you for the story today about how Jesus visited his friends after his resurrection and also gave Peter a second chance to make things right after betraying Jesus. Thank you that you always forgive us and give us second chances when we make mistakes. Help us to apologize when we’re wrong and to forgive others when they do wrong to us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Activity: Bead + Pipe Cleaner Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will make flowers or other creations out of beads and pipe cleaners.
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 were Jesus’ friends doing when he visited them?
How did they react when they realized it was Jesus?
How did Jesus show Peter that he was giving him a second chance (after Peter pretended he didn’t know Jesus earlier in the story)?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What were the disciples up to at the beginning of the story? How did Jesus show himself to them?
What were the disciples reactions when they realized it was Jesus? What did Peter do?
How did Jesus show Peter that he was giving him a second chance (after Peter had pretended he didn’t know Jesus earlier in the story)?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Why do you think the disciples went back to their fishing after Jesus’ death?
What was it that caused them to recognize Jesus when he appeared to them?
How do you think Peter felt seeing Jesus for the first time after he had denied knowing Jesus at his arrest?
How did Jesus show Peter that he had truly forgiven him and was giving him a second chance?
