Welly Church Kids Lessons

Youths · 9-12 · Lesson 16

Peter Confesses Jesus

Matthew 16:13-28

The identity of Jesus and the cost of following Him cannot be separated.

Teach the lesson

Goal: Explain from the passage that the identity of jesus and the cost of following him cannot be separated and locate the lesson on the whole-Bible timeline.

Pick how long you want to teach. The plan updates to fit.

Short · 25 minutes
  1. 3 min
    Connect

    Locate the lesson within Cycle 2 and activate prior knowledge.

  2. 8 min
    Read

    Read selected portions of Matthew 6:1-34 and identify direct observations.

    Ask: What does the passage directly say?

  3. 5 min
    Understand

    Connect observations to the big idea without adding unsupported details.

    Ask: What conclusion can we support from those observations? · Where could someone overstate or misapply this passage?

  4. 6 min
    Do

    Complete the primary evidence-based activity.

    Activity: Read and Notice: Peter Confesses Jesus

    Printable: Y3-L10-P01-prayer-wealth-and-trust-evidence-grid

  5. 3 min
    Respond

    Name one faithful response and pray.

    Ask: What faithful response fits the text?

Standard · 35 minutes

  1. 4 min
    Connect

    Locate the lesson within Cycle 2 and activate prior knowledge.

  2. 4 min
    Context

    Identify genre, audience, setting, and immediate context before making claims.

  3. 9 min
    Read and observe

    Read selected portions of Matthew 6:1-34 and identify direct observations.

    Ask: What does the passage directly say?

  4. 7 min
    Discuss

    Test the big idea against the evidence and identify interpretive limits.

    Ask: What conclusion can we support from those observations? · Where could someone overstate or misapply this passage?

  5. 7 min
    Activity

    Complete the primary evidence-based activity.

    Activity: Read and Notice: Peter Confesses Jesus

    Printable: Y3-L10-P01-prayer-wealth-and-trust-evidence-grid

  6. 4 min
    Respond

    Name one faithful response and pray.

    Ask: What faithful response fits the text?

Extended · 45 minutes
  1. 3 min
    Connect

    Locate the lesson within Cycle 2 and activate prior knowledge.

  2. 6 min
    Context

    Identify genre, audience, setting, and immediate context before making claims.

  3. 10 min
    Read closely

    Read selected portions of Genesis 3:1-24 and identify direct observations.

    Ask: What does the passage directly say?

  4. 8 min
    Discuss

    Test the big idea against the evidence and identify interpretive limits.

    Ask: What conclusion can we support from those observations? · Where could someone overstate or misapply this passage?

  5. 9 min
    Activity

    Complete the primary evidence-based activity.

    Activity: Read and Notice: Peter Confesses Jesus

    Printable: Y3-L10-P01-prayer-wealth-and-trust-evidence-grid

  6. 5 min
    Extension

    Compare another passage or claim classification and state what additional evidence contributes.

    Ask: What conclusion can we support from those observations? · Where could someone overstate or misapply this passage?

  7. 4 min
    Respond

    Name one faithful response and pray.

    Ask: What faithful response fits the text?

Close the class

Memory verse: Matthew 16:13-28

Prayer: Thank God for what the passage shows and ask for wisdom to respond faithfully.

Take-home line: The identity of Jesus and the cost of following Him cannot be separated.

More help: full script, questions, and printables

A word-for-word way to run the lesson, plus every question, activity, and printable.

Teach now

Explain from the passage that the identity of jesus and the cost of following him cannot be separated and locate the lesson on the whole-Bible timeline.

Read
Matthew 16:13-28
Opening
Ask one observation question before explaining the lesson.
Say
  • The principal passage contains the textual evidence central to Peter Confesses Jesus.
  • The identity of Jesus and the cost of following Him cannot be separated.
Ask
  • What does the text directly say?
  • What conclusion requires interpretation or synthesis?
  • What should we avoid overstating?
  • What is one faithful response?
Do
Complete Peter Confesses Jesus Evidence Grid.
Close
Restate the big idea, name one faithful response, and pray.
Materials
  • Bible
  • Peter Confesses Jesus Evidence Grid

Discussion questions

  • What does the passage directly say?
    Simple answer: Name one concrete detail from the passage.
    Going deeper: Which observations carry the most interpretive weight?
  • What conclusion can we support from those observations?
    Simple answer: Which evidence best supports the big idea?
    Going deeper: What reasoning connects the evidence to the conclusion?
  • Where could someone overstate or misapply this passage?
    Simple answer: Name one statement that goes beyond direct quotation.
    Going deeper: Explain the interpretive hinge and what would be an overstatement.
  • What faithful response fits the text?
    Simple answer: Choose one concrete response.
    Going deeper: Explain why the response follows from the evidence.

Activities

Read and Notice: Peter Confesses Jesus · 10 min

Materials: Prayer, Wealth, and Trust Evidence Grid; Bible; Pens or pencils

  1. Read or retell Matthew 16:13-28 in context.
  2. Name two details the text directly states.
  3. Restate the big idea in your own words.

Low-resource option: Draw the categories on blank paper or complete verbally.

Peter Confesses Jesus Evidence Grid · 8 min

Materials: Bible

  1. Sort statements into observation, interpretation/synthesis, and response.
  2. Check each conclusion against the passage.
  3. Name one limit or caution that prevents overclaiming.

Low-resource option: Use verbal responses.

Printables

Prepare before class (optional, about 30 minutes)

Passage context

Jesus' ministry: Following Jesus within the Jesus, Gospel, and Discipleship cycle

  • The principal passage contains the textual evidence central to Peter Confesses Jesus.
  • The identity of Jesus and the cost of following Him cannot be separated.
  • Start with the selected passage before moving to synthesis or application.
  • Read this as Gospel narrative / teaching and account for its immediate literary setting.
  • Distinguish explicit text, synthesis, inference, framework position, and prudential application.

Keep it faithful

  • Cross-bearing discipleship is not permission for abuse, coercive control, or self-harm.
  • Keep identity of Jesus and discipleship together without manipulating students toward public commitments.

Questions children may ask

How sure are we about this conclusion?
What if Christians disagree?

Every child can join in

  • Offer verbal or written responses.
  • Preview activity sequence.
  • Allow students to pass on personal-sharing questions.
  • No sensory simulation is required.
  • Read aloud and use icons, sequence cards, oral choices, or a scribe.
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