Tag Archives: name changes

Time

20 minutes

Description

This object lesson can be a fun way to drive home some lessons about Peter. It’s very messy, so you will want to have a place for the kids to clean up afterward (a garden hose is recommended, because you won’t want to wash large amounts of the baking soda down the drain).

Materials

· Drop cloth for the floor

· Corn starch (1 cup per child)

· Water (1.5 cups per child)

· Plastic cups (2 for each child)

· Bowls (1 for each child)

· Plastic place mat or disposable table cloth

Preparation

Lay down your drop cloth, and set a table with bowls for each child. Measure out the corn starch and water in plastic cups. Have some extra water and cornstarch on hand in case you need to adjust the consistency of the mixture.

Procedure

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

· “Who’s ready to get messy?”

• “Me, too! Everyone, put yourself in front of one of the bowls on the table.”
• “In the Bible, the New Testament tells the story about Simon, Andrew’s brother.”
• “When Simon met Jesus, Jesus changed his name to Peter, which means “rock.”
• “Simon means “listening and obeying,” but Simon spent too much time talking to listen.”
• “Jesus gave Simon the name Peter, because He wanted Simon to act like a rock. That means that Jesus wanted Peter to be a leader, who was firm in his convictions and stood strong for the Lord.”
• “Peter wanted to be a rock for the Lord, but he wasn’t very consistent at that, either.”
• “But God knows what He is doing. He changed Simon’s name, because He saw who Jesus would help him to be one day.”
• “It was a reminder of God’s call on Peter’s life. Every time Peter heard his new name, it reminded him that he needed to act like a rock.”
• “So, that brings us to our experiment. We’re going to make Peter!”
• “Here’s what we need to do. Take the cup with the powder in it (this is called corn starch) and pour it into your bowl.”
• “Now, take the cup that has water in it, and pour it into your bowl.”
• “Mix these together with your fingers – and, yes, it is going to be messy!” (As they mix, the corn starch should turn into a thick liquid. But, it’s not just a liquid. It’s also a solid when you put pressure on it. Check to make sure that all the kids’ mixtures are turning out right. If not, add water to thin or cornstarch to thicken.)
• “That’s some gooey stuff, isn’t it?”
• “Let’s try a few things with it. Pick some up in your hand, and quickly roll it into a ball between your hands.” (You may need to demonstrate.)
• “Now, stop rolling and watch what happens.” (The ball will melt in their hands.)
• “Weird, huh? Okay, now try tapping on the liquid in the bowl with your finger.’ (Demonstrate if needed. The liquid should harden when you tap it.)
• “Now, let’s pick it up, and squeeze it in our hands. Then let it go.” (It should go from solid to liquid.)
• “I told you we were going to make Peter. Peter is like the liquid, and we are playing the part of God.”
• “You see, Peter was also talking about how he was the best and how he would defend Jesus with his life. But when Jesus was taken by the religious rulers, Peter ran away. Then, he denied that he even knew Jesus three times.”
• “Whenever Peter acted the way Jesus wanted him to, he was right in the middle of God’s hands. During those times he was solid like a rock.” (Demonstrate by putting some of the liquid in your hand and rolling it into a ball.)
• “But when things got scary, Peter ran away.” (Allow ball to melt.)
• “Now, I don’t want to make Peter into a bad guy. He was trying, but he just couldn’t be as strong as he wanted to be.”
• “And neither can we. None of us are strong enough without God. The best place to be is in the middle of His hand.”