Category Archives: Peter

January 6, 2013 · 1:16 pm

Peter’s Path (BOOK)


 

Peter’s PatPeter's Path Book Cover Thumbnailh is a book I published a few months ago.  It is a collection of all my lessons about Peter, the apostle.

To see the book in the Amazon store, click on the image to the left.

Here’s a description:

We know more about Peter than about any other disciple who walked with Jesus. His life contains lesson after lesson about how to live and how to know Jesus more. In the pages of this book, you will find object lessons, Bible lessons, games and drama skits to help you teach about the most important events from Peter’s life.

 

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October 31, 2012 · 5:20 am

My Latest Book – Peter’s Path


I’m very excited to announce that my new book just went live on Amazon!  It’s called:

Peter’s Path:

Lessons, Skits and Games for Teaching About the Life of Simon-Peter

It’s a collection of all my object lessons, Bible lessons, games, and drama skits about the life of Peter, the Apostle.  You can find all the lessons here on the blog for free, but if you’re lazy like me, you might prefer to have them collected for you.  And for $3.99 (Kindle Edition), it’s worth the time savings.

Hope you like it!

If you would like to purchase the hardcopy version, click this link: Peter’s Path – Hardcopy

If you would like to purchase the Kindle version, click this link: Peter’s Path – Kindle

 

Blessings….Michael

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Filed under Book, drama, Game, Jesus, Lesson, Object Lesson, Peter

October 16, 2012 · 5:52 pm

Yes, No, Wait (GAME)


Time

15-20 minutes
Description

Peter says that God is attentive to (really pays attention to) our prayers, but sometimes we don’t get the answer we expect or want and sometimes we don’t get any answer at all.  It’s helpful to know that God always answers prayer with one of three answers, Yes, No or Wait.  When He says yes, we can move ahead.  When He says no, we should take a step back and reconsider what we are asking.  If God doesn’t want us to have it, it either isn’t good for us or doesn’t fit with His bigger plan.   When God doesn’t seem to answer, He is most likely saying that we should wait.  He wants to grant us our request, but it’s not time yet.  This board game will illustrate principles of prayer.

 

Scriptures

  • 1 Peter 3:12

 

Materials

  • Gameboard (1 per group of 4-6 – You can download this from the Lesson and Material Downloads page at www.teachingthem.com.  The file is called, “Yes, No, Wait – Gameboard.”)
  • Something small to use as game pieces (like coins, beads or beans – one per person)
  • “Yes, No, Wait” dice (1per group of 4-6 – You can download this from the Lesson and Material Downloads page at www.teachingthem.com.  The file is called, “Yes, No, Wait – Dice Pattern.”)
  • Scotch tape (1 roll)
  • Scissors (1 pair)
  • Bible

 

Preparation

  • Print out the gameboard and the “Yes, No, Wait” dice.
  • Cut out the dice pattern, and crease it along each of the edges.
  • Tape the edges of the dice pattern together.
  • Practice the script.

 

Procedure

Use the following script (or modify to suit your needs):

  • “We’re going to play a game called, ‘Yes, No, Wait.’”
  • “It’s about how God answers prayer.”  (Have a volunteer read 1 Peter 3:12.)
  • “Peter says that God is attentive to (really pays attention to) our prayers, but sometimes we don’t get the answer we expect or want and sometimes we don’t get any answer at all.”
  • “It’s helpful to know that God always answers prayer with one of three answers, Yes, No or Wait.”
  • “When He says yes, we can move ahead.”
  • “When He says no, we should take a step back and reconsider what we are asking.”
  • “If God doesn’t want us to have it, it either isn’t good for us or doesn’t fit with His bigger plan.”
  • “When God doesn’t seem to answer, He is most likely saying that we should wait.”
  • “He wants to grant us our request, but it’s not time yet.”
  • “Here’s how the game is played.”
  • “Everyone starts with their game piece on the START space.”
  • “The person who gets to go first is the one in your group who is the youngest (or the one with the closest birthday).”
  • “On the first turn, each player will say something out loud that he/she would like for God to do for him/her.”  (To keep it light, you might want to give an example like, “Please give us three weeks off from school!”)
  • “Then, the player will roll the ‘Yes, No, Wait’ dice.”
  • “If the player rolls a ‘Yes,’ he/she should move ahead 3 spaces.”
  • “If the player rolls a ‘No,’ he/she should move back 2 spaces (or stay on the START space if it’s the first turn).”
  • “If the player rolls a ‘Wait,’ he/she should stay in the same space until the next turn.”
  • “After the first player rolls and makes a move, play passes to the person on his/her right.”
  • “This continues until someone advances enough spaces to reach the ‘God’s Will For Your Life’ space and becomes the winner.”
  • “It’s okay if you get to move more spaces than you need to win on the last roll. You just need at least enough to reach the end space.”
  • “Want to play?”  (Determine who goes first, and let them make their first roll.  Continue playing until someone reaches the end space.  You may want to ask the debrief questions below while the game is being played to save time.)

 

Debrief Questions

  1. Why does God sometimes say, “No” to our prayers?
  2. What should we do when He says, “No?”
  3. Why does God sometimes say, “Wait” to our prayers?
  4. What should we do when He says, “Wait?”

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October 3, 2012 · 2:05 pm

Simon-Peter Says (GAME)


Time

10-15 minutes
Description

After he received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, Peter was able to do miracles.  One time, he healed a man who had been lame since birth.  As a result, the man was able to go into the Temple for the first time in his life. (You couldn’t go in if you had something physically wrong with you.)  He was so excited, he went in walking and jumping and praising God!  This game is played like “Simon Says,” but there are only three commands – “Walk,” “Jump” and “Praise God.”

 

Scriptures

  • Acts 3:1-10

 

Materials

  • Bible

 

Preparation

  • Practice the script.

 

Procedure

Use the following script (or modify to suit your needs):

  • “We’re going to play a game called, ‘Simon-Peter Says.’”
  • “It’s inspired by a story about Simon-Peter healing someone.”  (Have a volunteer read Acts 3:1-10.)
  • “What an incredible story!”
  • “Simon-Peter healed a man who had been lame since birth.”
  • “As a result of being healed, the man was able to go into the Temple for the first time in his life. (You couldn’t go in if you had something physically wrong with you.)”
  • “The man was so excited, he went in walking and jumping and praising God!”
  • “So, this game is about that story.”
  • “The game is played like ‘Simon Says.’”
  • “Everyone starts on the ground, except the leader, who calls out the commands.”
  • “If the leader says, ‘Simon-Peter says, ‘Walk!’ everyone should get to their feet and walk in place.”
  • “If the leader says, ‘Simon-Peter says, ‘Jump!’ everyone should jump in place.”
  • “If the leader says, ‘Simon-Peter says, ‘Praise God!’ everyone should put their hands in the air and shout, ‘Halleluiah!’”
  • “If anyone does the wrong motion, they are out.”
  • “If anyone hesitates too long, they are out.”
  • “If anyone follows a command that doesn’t start with ‘Simon-Peter Says,’ they are out.”
  • “The leader can trick the players at times by saying, ‘Simon says…’  If anyone makes the motion, they are out, because this game is ‘Simon-Peter Says,’ not ‘Simon Says.’”
  • “When there is only one person left, he or she gets to be the leader.”
  • “Want to play?”  (You can be the leader the first time to demonstrate how it is done, or you can have one of the children do it if you think they understand the game well enough.  After you have played several rounds, discuss the following debrief questions.)

 

Debrief Questions

  1. How do you think the man’s life changed when he was able to walk?
  2. Do you think healings like this still happen today?  Why or why not?
  3. Why doesn’t God heal everyone who is sick or hurt?

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September 30, 2012 · 9:01 am

Restored (GAME)


Time

15-20 minutes
Description

Peter denied knowing Jesus three times.  After Jesus rose from the dead, he reinstated Peter to leadership of the church by giving him three opportunities to express his love for Jesus.  In this activity, children will try to knock down three cans labeled, “I don’t know him!” with beanbags or balls labeled, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you!”

 

Scriptures

  • John 18:15-18
  • John 18:25-27
  • John 21:15-17

 

Materials

  • 3 canned foods labeled, “I don’t know him!”
  • 3 beanbags or balls labeled, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you!”
  • Note cards or duct tape to use to label the cans and the beanbags/balls.
  • 1 permanent marker for labeling
  • 1 surface (like a overturned bucket or table) to set the cans on
  • Masking tape
  • Bible

 

Preparation

  • Label the cans of food and the beanbags or balls.
  • Select a space to play the game.
  • Stack the three cans (two on the bottom and one on the top) on the bucket or table.
  • Use the masking tape to lay down a “throwing line” about ten feet away from the cans. (The children will stand behind this line to make their throws.)
  • Practice the script.

 

Procedure

Use the following script (or modify to suit your needs):

  • “We’re going to play a game called, ‘Restored.’”
  • “It’s about Jesus and Peter.”
  • “Peter told Jesus one time that even if everyone else left Him, he never would.”
  • “Peter even carried around a sword in case he needed to defend Jesus against an attacker.”
  • “But one night, the Jewish leaders sent their guards to arrest Jesus.”
  • “Peter attacked with his sword, but he hurt a servant instead of the guards.”
  • “Jesus healed the man that Peter had cut and then let the guards arrest Him.”
  • “Peter and all of Jesus’ best friends got scared and ran away.”
  • “Peter followed the guards from a distance as they took Jesus to the Jewish leaders.”
  • “The guards took Jesus to the house of the top Jewish leader and put Him on trial for crimes He didn’t commit.”
  • “Peter waited in the courtyard while the trial was going on, and people started to notice that he looked like one of Jesus’ followers.”
  • “They asked him three times if he was one of Jesus’ followers, and he denied it each time.”
  • “Jesus wasn’t surprised, though.”
  • “He had told Peter that he would deny knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crowed.”
  • “Sure enough, when Peter denied he knew Jesus for the third time, a rooster crowed, and Jesus looked directly into Peter’s eyes.”
  • “Peter was so ashamed that he ran away and cried and cried.”
  • “When Jesus needed Peter the most, Peter wasn’t a very good friend.”
  • “But even though Peter wasn’t a very good friend to Jesus, Jesus still wanted Peter to lead His followers.”
  • “After Jesus rose from the dead, He met with Peter to let him know that he was forgiven.”
  • “Then, one morning, Jesus did a strange thing.”
  • “He asked Peter three times if Peter loved Him.”  (Have volunteer read John 21:15-17.)
  • “By asking Peter this question three times, Jesus was letting him know that Peter was forgiven and restored to a leadership position for Jesus’ followers.”
  • “Each ‘I love you, Lord,’ was like a big eraser getting rid of the ‘I don’t know Hims!.’”
  • “So, this game is like the Bible story.”
  • “Each of these cans is labeled, ‘I don’t know him!’ and represents the three times Peter denied knowing Jesus after Jesus had been arrested.”
  • “Each bean bag (or ball) is labeled, ‘Yes, Lord, you know I love you!’ and represents the three times Peter was given a chance to express his love to Jesus after Jesus rose from the dead.”
  • “Everyone will take turns throwing three bean bags (or balls) at the cans from a distance of about ten (10) feet.”
  • “If you knock the cans down, it will be like erasing Peter’s denials with his confessions of love for Jesus.”
  • “Want to play?”  (Let the children line up and take turns trying to knock over the cans.  Each child gets three throws before you reset the cans for the next child.  After each child has had at least one chance to knock the cans over, discuss the following debrief questions.)

 

Debrief Questions

  1. How do you think Peter felt after denying Jesus three times?
  2. Do you remember why Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” three times?  Why did He do that?
  3. How do you think Peter felt after Jesus gave him three chances to confess his love for Jesus?
  4. Do you believe God forgives you for every bad thing you do?  Why or why not?

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Filed under Church, forgiveness, Game, Grace, Jesus, leadership, Peter, Relationships

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August 20, 2012 · 2:50 am

Name Change Toss (GAME)


Time

10-15 minutes
Description

God often changed someone’s name in Scripture to identify his or her potential, and other people in authority renamed characters for various reasons. This matching game challenges children to select both the old and new names of the Biblical characters and throw a beanbag on each one to earn points.

 

Scriptures

  • John 1:40-42

 

Materials

  • Masking tape (1 roll)
  • Permanent marker (1 – darker color)
  • Name cards (A PowerPoint file with these names is available on the Lesson and Material Downloads page at www.teachingthem.comin the file called, “Name Change Toss – Name Cards.”):
    • Abram (Exalted Father); Abraham (Father of Many)
    • Sarai (Argumentative); Sarah (Princess)
    • Jacob (Deceiver); Israel (He Struggles With God)
    • Ben-Oni (Son of My Trouble); Benjamin (Son of My Right Hand)
    • Lo-Ruhamah (Not Loved); Ruhamah (Loved)
    • Lo-Ammi (Not My People); Ammi (My People)
    • Simon (Listens and Obeys); Peter (the Rock)
    • Saul (Prayed For); Paul (Humble)
  • Beanbags (2) or something similar that children can toss onto the grid
  • Bible

 

Preparation

  • Select a space to play the game.
  • Create your 4×4 grid with masking tape (each square should be about 8”x8”).
  • Create or print your name cards.
  • Lay the name cards down (one per square in the grid) in random order (face-up). Separate the old and new names from each other.
  • Lay down a strip of masking tape about six feet away from the grid, and label it, “Tossing Line” with a permanent marker.
  • Have your beanbags ready
  • Practice the script.

 

Procedure

Use the following script (or modify to suit your needs):

  • “In Bible times, your name was very important.  It told what people could expect from you.”
  • “When God changed your name, it was because He knew your potential and wanted to share His plan for your future.”
  • “Can anyone think of someone from the Bible who had their name changed?”  (Acknowledge responses, and share the meanings of any of the following names that are mentioned.
    • Abram (Exalted Father); Abraham (Father of Many)
    • Sarai (Argumentative); Sarah (Princess)
    • Jacob (Deceiver); Israel (He Struggles With God)
    • Ben-Oni (Son of My Trouble); Benjamin (Son of My Right Hand)
    • Lo-Ruhamah (Not Loved); Ruhamah (Loved)
    • Lo-Ammi (Not My People); Ammi (My People)
    • Simon (Listens and Obeys); Peter (the Rock)
    • Saul (Prayed For); Paul (Humble))
  • “Let’s play a game to try to match the old and new names of some of these biblical characters.”
  • “Follow me over to this grid that I’ve made on the floor.” (Lead children to the grid.)
  • “You will take turns throwing the beanbags and trying to hit both the old and new names.”
  • “You have to make your toss from this line.” (Point out the Tossing Line.)
  • “If you get both the old and new names for any person, you can remove both cards, get two points and try again.”
  • “If your beanbags land on names that aren’t a match or off the grid, the next person in line gets to try.”
  • “The person with the most points when all the cards have been collected wins.”
  • “Does anyone have any questions?”  (Answer questions, and then line up the children behind the Tossing Line.  Let them take turns tossing two beanbags each.  If they get a match, they can collect the cards and try again.  If they don’t, the next person in line gets a turn, and the person who missed rotates to the back of the line. Play several rounds if you have time, and then ask the Debrief Questions below.)

 

Debrief Questions

  1. How important do you think your name is in today’s times?
  2. Why do you think Jesus changed Peter’s name from Simon to Peter?
  3. How do you think it made Peter feel?
  4. Do you think Peter ever became a “rock” for God?  Why or why not?

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August 19, 2012 · 2:02 am

Miraculous Catch (GAME)


Time

10-15 minutes

Description

One of the times that Jesus called Peter to follow Him was after He did a miracle that allowed Peter to catch so many fish that the weight of them made his boat and his friends’ boat began to sink.  Jesus told Peter that from that moment on he would catch men instead of fish.  This activity lets children try to catch a “miraculous catch of fish.”

 

Scriptures

  • Luke 5:1-11

 

Materials

  • Sheet or large piece of fabric to act as the “net.”
  • Bucket filled with balls (the type you find in a “ball pit” in a children’s play area)
  • Bible 

 

Preparation

  • Select a space to play the game, and set up your materials.
  • Practice the script.

 

Procedure

Use the following script (or modify to suit your needs):

  • “One of the times that Jesus called Peter to follow Him was after He did a miracle that allowed Peter to catch so many fish that the weight of them made his boat and his friends’ boat began to sink.”  (Ask volunteer to read Luke 5:1-11.)
  • “Did you hear that?”
  • “Jesus told Peter that from that moment on he would catch MEN instead of FISH.”
  • “That had to sound strange to Peter.”
  • “But it was also a good way to explain to him how his life would change after this moment.”
  • “Jesus used fishing language to help Peter understand what was going to happen.”
  • “So, who do you think is the better fisherman?  Peter or Jesus?”  (Acknowledge responses.)
  • “Right!  Jesus is much better, because He created the fish and can command the fish to get into the net.”
  • “Peter can’t do that.”
  • “Jesus was helping Peter to understand that He was God by using fishing – something Peter understood very well.”
  • “Peter was an expert fisherman and had spent all night fishing but caught no fish.”
  • “So, when Jesus knew right where and when to put the net into the water, Peter realized this wasn’t just good luck.”
  • “This was God.”
  • “Let’s play a game to help us remember the story.”
  • “I would like for everyone to grab an edge of this sheet.”  (Hold up sheet, and help children to find a place to grab along the edges.  Makes sure there are children all around the sheet and that they use both hands.”
  • “You are all the fishermen, and the sheet is your ‘net.’”
  • “I’ll play Jesus.”
  • “I have a bucket full of ‘fish.’ They are really balls, but we are going to pretend they are fish.”
  • “When I dump out the ‘fish,’ you should try to catch all of them in your ‘net.’”
  • “If you drop some fish, you can collect them, put them back in the bucket and try again.”
  • “Does anyone have any questions?”  (Answer questions, and then start the game. Pretend to dump the fish several times before actually dumping them, and try to make it a little challenging so that the children have to work together to capture all the fish in the net. Play several rounds, and allow some of the children to play Jesus if you like. Then ask the Debrief Questions below.)

 

Debrief Questions

  1. Why do you think Peter said to Jesus, “Get away from me, Lord! I am a sinful man!” after they caught all the fish?
  2. What do you think Jesus was trying to teach Peter and the others?
  3. What did Jesus mean when he said that they would now fish for people?
  4. Why did the fishermen leave everything (even all the fish that they had just caught) to follow Jesus?
  5. What would you have done?

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August 3, 2012 · 7:22 pm

Knock, Knock! (GAME)


Time

10-15 minutes
Description

This game is a bit of a “Knock, Knock” joke about Peter’s situation when he was released from prison by an angel.  Even though the believers had prayed for a miracle, they didn’t really believe one would happen and were surprised when he showed up at their prayer meeting.  Children will sit in a circle and try to say the right thing when it becomes their turn.  If they say the wrong thing or hesitate, they are out.

 

Scriptures

  • Acts 12:12-17

 

Materials

  • Bible

 

Preparation

  • Select a space to play the game.
  • Practice the script.

 

Procedure

Use the following script (or modify to suit your needs):

  • “Peter was once locked in prison by King Herod, but an angel came during the night and released him in a miraculous way.”
  • “All the Christian believers had been praying together for him, but they were totally surprised when he knocked at their door.”
  • “Let’s read about it.”  (Have volunteer read Acts 12:12-17.)
  • “That’s pretty funny, huh?”
  • “They were praying for a miracle, but they didn’t believe it when it happened!”
  • “Let’s play a game about this story.”
  • “Everyone sit in a circle.” (Have children arrange themselves in a circle.)
  • “I’m going to pick someone to start, and that person will say, ‘Knock, knock’ to the person on their right.”
  • “The second person will say, ‘Who’s there?’ and the first person will respond, ‘It’s Peter?’” (You might want to practice this much so that they don’t get confused.)
  • “Then, the second person will turn to the person on their right and say, ‘It’s Peter!’”
  • “The third person will then deny that it’s Peter to the person on their right.”
  • “For example, person #3 could turn to person #4 and say, ‘No it’s not!’”
  • “Then the forth person and everyone after them has to turn to the person on their right and deny that it’s Peter in a different way.”
  • “For example, person #4 could turn to person #5 and say, ‘That’s impossible!’”
  • “And person #5 might turn to person #6 and say, ‘Unbelievable!’”
  • “And person #6 might turn to person #7 and say, ‘You’re making that up!’” (You might want to practice this once so that they get the idea.)
  • “This continues all the way around until even ‘Peter’ (the first person) denies that it’s him!!!”
  • “This starts a new round, and person #2 (who said ‘Who’s there?’ in the first round) now becomes Peter and turns to the person on their right to say, ‘Knock, knock.’”
  • “This continues until someone hesitates, says the wrong thing or uses the same denial someone else used in the same round.  If they do, that person is out.”
  • “The game is over when there are only two people left.”
    • “Does anyone have any questions?”  (Answer questions, and then start the game. Play several rounds, starting with different people each time.  Then ask the Debrief Questions below.)

 

Debrief Questions

  1. Would you have believed it was Peter at the door?  Why or why not?
  2. Why was it so hard for the “believers” to believe in this situation?
  3. Have you ever prayed for something and been surprised when God gave you what you asked for?  What happened?

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Filed under Belief, faith, Game, Miracle, Peter, prayer

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July 25, 2012 · 7:59 am

Get Up! Get Down! (GAME)


Time

10-15 minutes
Description

Peter was given miraculous powers by the Holy Spirit after Jesus went to heaven.  When Ananias and Sapphira lied about how much money they were giving to the other believers, Peter announced that they would die, and they died immediately!  When Peter met Aeneas, a paralyzed man, he told him to get up, and Aeneas was healed!  And when the believers were sad because their friend Dorcas (Tabitha) had died, Peter told her to get up, too, and she was raised from the dead!

 

This game is a little like “Simon Says.”  The facilitator will call out one of the four names, and the children have to jump up in the air if it’s either “Aeneas” or “Dorcas” but they have to get down on the ground if it’s either “Ananias” or “Sapphira.”  If they move the wrong way, they are out!

 

Scriptures

  • Acts 5:1-11
  • Acts 9:32-43

 

Materials

  • Bible

 

Preparation

  • Select a space to play the game.
  • Practice the script.

 

Procedure

Use the following script (or modify to suit your needs):

  • “We are going to play a game called, ‘Get Up! Get Down!’”
  • “It’s about Peter, who was so anointed by the Holy Spirit that he could raise the dead to life, heal the lame and even announce God’s judgment on believers before it happened.”  (Have a volunteer read Acts 5:1-11 and Acts 9:32-43.)
  • “Peter was so powerful!”
  • “When Ananias and Sapphira lied about how much money they were giving to the other believers, Peter announced that they would die, and they died immediately!”
  • “When he met Aeneas, a paralyzed man, he told him to get up, and Aeneas was healed!”
  • “And when the believers were sad because their friend Dorcas (Tabitha) had died, Peter told her to get up, too, and she was raised from the dead!”
  • “This game is played a little like ‘Simon Says.’”
  • “I will call out one of the four names from these stories, and you have to jump up in the air if it’s either ‘Aeneas’ or ‘Dorcas,’ but you have to get down on the ground if it’s either ‘Ananias’ or ‘Sapphira.’”
  • “If you move the wrong way, you are out!”
  • “The last person standing wins and gets to be the name caller.”
  • “Sometimes I might try to trick you by using Dorcas’ other name, ‘Tabitha, so be careful!”
  • “Does anyone have any questions?”  (Answer any questions.)
  • “Okay, let’s play!” (Have children all start standing, and begin by calling out one of the four names. Allow a few seconds each time for children to respond, but if they move the wrong way, have them step to the side while the others continue playing. If they are doing really well, try surprising them by calling out “Tabitha!” Play several rounds, allowing different people to come up and be the name caller.  Then ask the Debrief Questions below.)

 

Debrief Questions

  1. Why do you think God gave Peter so much power?
  2. Do you think people still have that kind of power today?  Why or why not?
  3. If you had that kind of power, how would you use it?

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Filed under Annointing, Game, Healing, Holy Spirit, Judgment, Peter

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July 24, 2012 · 2:20 pm

Fish Tax (GAME)


 

Time

15 minutes
Description

Peter was worried about not being able to pay the required tax to the Temple.  Jesus knew what was bothering him even before Peter could say anything and told Peter to go fishing, which is what Peter did best.  In the mouth of the first fish Peter caught, he found a coin that allowed him to pay the tax for both Jesus and himself.  Children will “go fishing” in a pool and try to catch all the fish with coins before they catch too many without coins.

 

Materials

  • “Fishing pole” (You can use a simple dowel rod with a string attached and a magnet at the end of the string.)
    • Dowel rod
    • String (about 3-foot long)
    • Strong magnet
    • Tape to stick the string to the magnet (unless there is a way to tie them together)
    • Children’s plastic pool (the kind toddlers can sit in)
    • Flat, toy or paper fish with strong magnets attached (24 total – 8 of which should have coins taped or glued to the bottom)
      • Fish (24)
      • Magnets (24)
      • Coins (8)
      • Tape
      • Bible

 

Preparation

  • Create the fishing pole.
  • Tape magnets to all the fish.
  • Tape coins to eight of the fish.
  • Place all the fish at the bottom of the pool with the coins on the bottom.  Make sure to mix them up so that it won’t be too easy to find the fish with coins.  It’s okay for some to overlap.
  • Practice the script.

 

Procedure

Use the following script and instructions (or modify to suit your needs):

·      “One day, the tax collectors (the guys like Matthew, one of the apostles) from the Temple came up to Peter and asked, ‘Does your teacher pay the temple tax?’”

·      “Peter answered, ‘Of course he does!’ but the truth was, he wasn’t sure.”

·      “So he quickly went to see Jesus and ask Him about it.”

·      “But before Peter even had a chance to speak, Jesus knew what he was about to ask.”

·      “Jesus said, ‘Peter, so that we won’t offend the tax collectors, go down to the lake and throw in a fishing line.  Open the mouth of the first fish that you catch, and you will find a coin.  Take the coin and pay the tax for both of us.’”

·      “So Peter did just as Jesus said.”

·      “He went down to the lake and threw in a fishing line.”  (Pretend to cast your fishing pole.)

·      “Almost immediately, he felt a fish on his line, so he tugged at it as hard as he could and pulled the fish in.”  (Pretend to struggle reeling the fish in.  Be careful not to accidentally reveal one of the fish with the coin attached to the bottom.)

·      “When he opened the fish’s mouth, he found a four-drachma coin! (That’s a coin they used back then.)”

  • “That was just enough to pay both Jesus’s and Peter’s tax!”
  • “That’s amazing, right!”
  • “Well, let’s play a game based on this story.”
  • “Here’s how it works.”
  • “Each one of you will get three chances with this fishing pole to try to catch a fish with a coin attached.”
  • “If you catch a fish without a coin attached, you should put it back into the pool.”
  • “If you catch a fish with a coin, you can pull it out.”
  • “After three turns, we will let someone else try.”
  • “There are eight (8) fish with coins attached.”
  • “We will keep fishing until we catch all of them.”
  • “The one who catches the most wins.”
  • “Does anyone have any questions?”  (Answer any questions.  Then let the children play.  The first person to try can be the person with the next birthday.  After you’ve played the game, you can use the debrief questions below to reinforce the teaching points.)

Debrief

  1. Have you ever caught a fish with a coin in its mouth?
  2. Why do you think Jesus had Peter go fishing in order to pay the Temple tax for Peter and himself?
  3. What was Jesus trying to help Peter understand about who Jesus was?
  4. What should this experience teach Peter about worrying about things?
  5. What should we do when we are worried about some problem in our lives?

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