Peter's Denial

Luke 22:54-62; John 21:15-19; Ephesians 2:8-9


Our true story comes from the Bible with the help of our friends Luke, John and Paul.

We have been learning that Jesus loves everyone. But do you think that really means EVERYONE? No matter what? Our true story will help us answer that question. 


When Jesus was teaching people how to love each other, He had a good friend named Peter. Jesus and Peter spent a lot of time together, and Jesus taught Peter about God’s love.


Jesus also let Peter help Him do important jobs. One time, they fed THOUSANDS of people with just one boy’s lunch. Can you imagine how amazing that was to help Jesus feed all of those people with just one lunch? Wow!


Jesus and Peter would even go fishing together. Jesus and Peter were great friends. 


Then, one night some angry soldiers took Jesus away. 


They hurt Jesus and said mean things to Him. This scared Jesus’ friends, so they ran away! But Peter wanted to see what would happen, so he followed Jesus and the angry soldiers.


While Peter waited to see what would happen, a girl asked him if he was Jesus’ friend. Peter was so scared that he said, “No”! Peter said he was not Jesus’ friend. That’s very sad. 


A little while later, another person asked Peter if he was Jesus’ friend. And guess what Peter said this time? He said, “No”! That’s two times Peter said that he was not Jesus’s friend. That’s very, very sad. 


Then, another person asked Peter if he was Jesus’ friend, and guess what he said this time? He said, “No,” again! That’s three times Peter said that he was not Jesus’ friend. That’s very, very, VERY sad.
 

After the third time, Peter looked over and saw Jesus looking at him. Peter knew saying that he was not 
Jesus’ friend was wrong. He felt so bad that he went away and cried. 


But wait! That’s not the end of the story. Later, after Jesus died and came back, Jesus went to Peter and talked to him. Jesus still loved Peter, no matter what, even though Peter said he was not Jesus’ friend. 


Jesus wanted Peter to know that He would be his friend forever, no matter what. Knowing that Jesus still loved Peter and that they were still good friends made Peter so happy! 


From that day on, Peter told everyone, everywhere that Jesus is God’s Son. Peter told everyone, everywhere, "Jesus is alive! Jesus loves you! And Jesus wants to be your friend forever!"


SO many people believed in Jesus because of Peter! And guess what? You can believe in Jesus, too. It’s true! Because Jesus loves EVERYONE!



Bible Paraphrase: These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. — John 20:31, NLV

Text Truth: I can believe in Jesus.



Family Devotional

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. —Ephesians 2:8-9

Our Bible story was about a man named Peter. Peter was a friend of Jesus, but when Jesus was taken away, Peter told people he didn’t even know Jesus. Do you know how many times Peter said he didn’t know Jesus? Three times! But Jesus loved Peter, anyway. Jesus loved Peter, no matter what.

These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. — John 20:31, NLV

Do you think it was right or wrong for Peter to tell people he wasn’t Jesus’ friend? Yes, it was wrong. But we all do wrong things, sometimes. With your family, make a list of some of your wrong choices. Maybe, you had a bad attitude, or you didn’t share, or you said mean words to your brother or sister. Maybe, you didn’t obey your mom or dad, or you broke something and told people you didn’t. Whatever it is, you can use your list to thank God that Jesus loves you, no matter what. After all, Jesus wants to be your friend FOREVER!

Pray with your family. Allow any family members to pray if they wish. In your own words, acknowledge to God that you want everyone to believe in Jesus. Acknowledge to God that you want everyone to know that Jesus wants to be their friend forever. Ask for God's help to tell (read through your family's list) that Jesus is alive, and He wants to be their friend forever. Thank God for His love and acknowledge to God your love for him.

Pray with your family. Allow any family members to pray if they wish. In your own words, thank God for sending Jesus to love you, no matter what. Acknowledge that sometimes, you mess up and you don't even mean to do it. Other times, you choose to do the wrong thing, and you are sorry for that. Acknowledge to God that you are sorry for doing things like (read through your family's list). Thank God that you have a friend like Jesus who will never stop loving you. Thank God for His love and acknowledge to God your love for him.

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