Jesus Meets Peter (Twice)

[John 18:15-18, 25-27 and John 21:15-21]

Intro: This is not the first time that Jesus and Peter have met: Peter has been one of Jesus’ best friends and followers for the three years that Jesus was teaching. We’re going to hear about two of his meetings with Jesus that I think he will never ever forget.

Games: To introduce Peter’s background as a regular fisherman.

1. All the Fishes in the Sea - All the children in your group should sit in a circle facing outwards. In order name the children Cod, Mackerel, Herring, Plaice, Cod, Mackerel, Herring, Plaice, Cod… etc. When a type of fish (“Herring”) is called out by the leader all of that kind of fish (the herrings) should run round the outside of the circle back to their space and sit down. If they need a competitive element the last child to sit in their space is out. If the leader shouts “tides turn” the fish turn and run the other way round the circle. If the leader shouts “stormy seas” They should jump rather than run. If the leader shouts “all the fishes in the sea” everybody runs and there is chaos! People need to be reminded not to stick their legs out so as not to be dangerous. For small spaces or round a table: the named fish instead of running round should stand up and say as fast as possible “I’m the fastest little fishy in the sea, I’m so fast you can’t catch me!” You could add a dance element if your group would benefit from that.

2. Captain’s Coming - The leader call out a phrase and the kids must perform the correct action (in brackets) after a few practice runs the last person to complete the action is out; Captains coming (Salute), climb the rigging (mime climbing), scrub the decks (mimecleaning the floor), port, starboard, stern, bow (run to the left, right, back, front). Plus empty nets (everybody join hands) and full nets (everybody join hands and count to 153). It’s probably best for that last one if you don’t wait for them to finish counting before the next instruction is given! For small spaces or round a table: Don’t include the running; you could get the children to point in the correct direction.

Drama:

Ask the kids to act out or describe what they imagine the disciples would have said or done as they meet the resurrected Jesus on the beach. Think about: is this the first time they’ve seen him since he came back to life? What could they see, smell, hear and taste? How would they be feeling? What was Jesus doing?

Ask someone to act as Peter and read this Script. We had a ‘special guest’ from our church come in each week of the series as the character in modern dress. Peter dressed as a sterotypical fisherman. You could easily have a leader or an older child read it out. Because there are two meetings there are two scripts.

Activity: To create a reminder that we can be forgiven as Peter was forgiven.

Make and decorate a fish. You can choose fishy outlines from the very simple to the highly complicated. and they can be simply coloured in or you could use scrap-paper, sequins and googly eyes to decorate them there’s no need to buy new craft materials just use what you have leftover. Punch a hole near it’s mouth and thread a loop of wool, ribbon or string through it so that it can be hung up on a door handle or notice board.

Songs:
He died upon the Cross - Colin Buchanan
I’m following the King – Emu music: Meet the king
Your love – Sovereign Grace: Music Awesome God

Memory Verse:

John 11:40 ‘Then Jesus said “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God.”

This verse can be written on the back of the fish craft as a reminder.