THE ITINERANT PREACHER
2022 Theme: “Doing Life with Jesus”
Week 34: Peter – The Itinerant Preacher
Weekly Bible Bite: Acts 9:32-43
Video lesson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVx_G8yB19I (God’s Story – Peter)
Before Jesus had called Peter to become one of his disciples, he was known as Simon the fisherman. He didn’t have any special training and could be impetuous—sometimes putting his foot in his mouth and learning his lessons the hard way. But he was committed to Jesus and when Jesus would sometimes take a small group with him, Peter was often one of the ones chosen. Jesus was training him for a special task…to be one of the leaders amongst the apostles after Jesus left. He renamed him Peter, which means ‘rock,’ because he was going to have a very important role in growing the early Church.
After Jesus returned to heaven, Peter’s boldness proved an asset to the growing group of disciples. He spoke up on behalf of everyone when they came under attack, he boldly performed miracles—healing people who had been lame and even brought a lady who had died back to life, and he travelled from place to place sharing the news that Jesus was the Messiah.
Jesus had taken an ordinary fisherman and made him an extraordinary fisher of men…helping to bring people into God’s growing family.
Family goal:
Peter talked about Jesus wherever he went. Where are some places that you could tell others about Jesus?
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[Be sure to pick a measurable goal involving a task so that children will know when they have completed it.]
Weekly verse:
Matthew 16:18, NLT – “Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”
Family activities:
• Colour the picture of Peter.
• Jesus gave Simon the name Peter which means ‘rock.’ What name do you think Jesus might give you?
Prayer:
Thank you, God for Peter’s example. His life shows me that I don’t have to have everything altogether to be used by you…and in a big way. Help me to be like Peter, who even though he was sometimes too quick to speak or act, was still devoted to you.