Dr. Pat's Orthodox Super Sunday School Curriculum

St. Peter

PETER

Objectives:

  1. Students should know that Peter was one of Jesus’s twelve disciples.
  2. Students should know that Peter started the church in Rome.

3.   Students should know that Peter died as a martyr, upside down on a cross in Rome.

Possible Lesson Plan:

  1. Open with prayer.
  2. First, review the story of the calling of Peter at his fishing boat; pick him out in the icons of the Transfiguration, Ascension, and Pentecost. Who spoke to the crowds at Pentecost? Next review the story of Peter and Cornelius; who was the first to take the gospel to the Gentiles? Peter was also at the Council in Jerusalem. Now continue his story with the Read with Me Bible, pages, and/or the Golden Children’s Bible, pages 472-473 and 464-466.

St. Peter and St. Paul are already on your timeline but why not add the very famous icon of the two foremost apostles together?

 

  1. True/False Questions:

Peter was a fisherman.                                          Peter was a doctor.

Peter saw a vision of animals on a sheet.              Peter saw a vision of a fiery furnace.

Peter went to Rome to tell people about Jesus.    Peter lived in Israel all his life.

Peter died upside down on a cross.                      Peter was stoned to death.

 

  1. Peter was also one of the Lord’s greatest apostles. Work a bit on the words “disciple” and “apostle”. Say the words and have the students repeat them. Peter was both – the disciples were the original followers of Jesus who studied and lived with the Lord during His life on earth. So, a disciple is a student, a follower. How many of the original twelve can the students name? One man was chosen to take the place of the one who betrayed Jesus? Who betrayed Jesus? Who took his place? How was Matthias chosen? “Apostle” is someone sent out by the Lord to establish His Church. So, an apostle is a leader, a teacher. Peter was a disciple who, on Pentecost became an apostle. What happened on Pentecost? Paul never knew Jesus on earth but was sent by Him to establish churches all over the Mediterranean world. See if the students can land these famous people in the right category:

         Disciple   Disciple and Apostle    Apostle        Neither

      Judas Iscariot        Peter                                                     Paul                             Abraham

                                    Thomas                                                Silas                             David

                                    Andrew                                                 Luke                            Daniel

                                    John

                                    James  

Are there still apostles in modern times? Watch future lessons for the answer.

 

  1. Make a Spin-a-Story Wheel of the life of Peter: Begin with a paper plate. Divide into about 6 sections. In each section, draw a scene from the life of Peter: fisherman (or fish or fish sticker), Transfiguration (part of icon cut from old bulletin file?), denial of Jesus (rooster or rooster sticker), Pentecost (flames), Peter and Cornelius (pig?), and death upside down on a cross in Rome (upside down cross). Cut a spinner out of tagboard (or another plate). Attach with a piece of pipe cleaner bent; a round bead between spinner and plate helps it spin better. Can the students spin and tell each of the stories of this amazing apostle?

 

6. End with prayer: Lord, make me now Your good disciple learner.

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