The Story of Peter
Jesus called different people to follow him. Meet a man called Peter.
Before You ListenLet's Get Started
Theme: Doing What’s Right - Jesus the Savior
- In this story from Matthew 14:22-33, Jesus appeared in the middle of a storm, walking on top of the water! He invited his disciple Peter to come out of the boat and join him. It took a lot of faith for Peter to get out of that boat. Would you have done it?
- Just moments after this tremendous act of faith, Peter began to doubt. Jesus was disappointed but offered a helping hand to save Peter. As you listen to this story, think of a time when you showed great faith but then began to doubt.
After you listen
Memory Verse
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
Quiz
A: Jumped into the water to go to him
Reflect
Peter didn’t do anything halfway. When he loved, he loved big. When he believed, he walked on water. When he failed, he failed spectacularly. Time and time again, Peter acted impulsively. Sometimes it worked, often it didn’t.
When things weren’t working in the fishing boat, Jesus told Peter and Andrew to cast their nets out one more time. Peter smiled not expecting much, when they did what Jesus said they were rewarded with blessings beyond their expectations. When Peter made bad choices, Jesus gave him another chance, even when he denied Jesus three times. Peter’s final trust was rewarded with unexpected blessings as Jesus entrusted him with caring for his “sheep.”
Like Peter, we fail again and again. God is there every time to grab our hand, pick us up, pull us out, and give us another chance to show we trust him. Giving second chances is part of God’s loving character. God describes himself as "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness" (Exodus 34:6).
Want to dig deeper and learn more about people to whom God gave second chances? Check out Moses (Exodus 2:11-15 and 3:1- 4:20), Jonah (Jonah 1:1 -3:5), and Paul (Acts 9:1-31).
Challenge
Take a thick piece of paper or cardstock. On one side of the paper, write the word “Faith” and on the other side write “Doubt.” Draw pictures from Peter’s life that show both his faith and his doubt on the appropriate side. Can you draw a picture for your own life too? Remember that just as God never gave up on Peter, he will never give up on you.
