Peter Denies Jesus Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “But Jesus still loved Peter.”
It was the night before the cross. Jesus said to his friends, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight.” That means: Tonight you will all run away from me.
But Jesus also gave them a promise. He said, “After I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.” Raised up means coming alive again!
Peter said, “I will never be made to stumble.” Jesus said to him, “Tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Deny means to say: I don’t know him.
Peter said, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” All the other friends said the same. Jesus knew what would happen. But Jesus still loved Peter.
Later that night, men took Jesus away to the house of the high priest. Peter followed far behind. He wanted to see what would happen.
In the courtyard, people had made a fire. Peter sat down with them, in the light of the fire. Crackle, crackle!
A servant girl came to Peter. “You were also with Jesus, the Galilean!” she said. But Peter said, “I don’t know what you are talking about.” That was one time. Hold up one finger.
Peter went out to the porch. Someone else saw him. “This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Peter said, “I don’t know the man.” That was two times. Two fingers.
After a little while, some people said, “Surely you are also one of them.” They could tell by the way he talked. Peter said, “I don’t know the man!” Three fingers.
Right then the rooster crowed. Can you crow like a rooster? Cock-a-doodle-doo!
The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered what Jesus had said. He went out and cried and cried. But Jesus still loved Peter.
Jesus died on the cross. But God raised him to life again, just as Jesus had said!
Some time later, Peter and some friends went fishing on the big lake. All night long they caught nothing. Not one fish!
In the morning, a man stood on the beach. It was Jesus, but they did not know it yet. He called out, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat.” They did. And the net was full of fish! So many that they could not pull it in. Can you pull a heavy net? Heave-ho!
“It’s the Lord!” said one friend. When Peter heard that, he jumped right into the water. Splash! Maybe he could not wait to get to Jesus! But Jesus still loved Peter.
On the beach there was a fire with fish and bread on it. Jesus said, “Come and eat breakfast!” And Jesus gave them bread and fish.
After breakfast, Jesus asked Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” Peter said, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” Affection means love. Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Three times Jesus asked. Three times Peter said yes. On that sad night, Peter had said three times, “I don’t know the man.” Now, three times, he said yes! Jesus gave Peter a job: to take care of Jesus’ sheep, his people.
Jesus forgave Peter. God forgives, and his love does not let go. But Jesus still loved Peter.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- Why do you think Peter said, “I don’t know the man”?
- How do you think Peter felt when Jesus made breakfast for him?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Color the 3 times Peter said “I don’t know him” and the 1 rooster.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“He is faithful and righteous to forgive us” — 1 John 1:9 (he is faithful → hand on your heart; and righteous → stand up straight; to forgive us → open your arms wide)
Dear Jesus, thank you that you still love us when we get it wrong. Thank you that you forgive. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Jesus loves us even when we fail
Memory verse: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9 · WEB
The Bible story
On the hardest night of his life, brave Peter makes a promise he cannot keep — but discover how Jesus turns his biggest mistake into a beautiful new beginning.
Talk about it
- What were Jesus and His friends doing at the start of the story? — Sharing a special meal
- What did Jesus say Peter would do before the rooster crowed? — Say he did not know Jesus
- What did Peter promise Jesus? — That he would never leave Jesus
- Where was Jesus taken that night? — To the high priest's house
- Where did Peter wait to stay near Jesus? — In the courtyard by a fire
- Who first said that Peter had been with Jesus? — A servant girl
Where is Jesus in this story?
Even though Peter let Him down, Jesus never stopped loving him. After Jesus rose again, He met Peter by the sea and gently asked him three times, "Do you love me?" — one loving question for each time Peter had been afraid. Jesus forgave Peter completely and made him a leader who told the whole world about God's love. That is what Jesus does for all of us: He takes our saddest moments and fills them with fresh hope and rescue.
What God wants to tell us
Peter made a big mistake when he was frightened, and afterwards he felt very sad. But God does not stop loving us when we get things wrong. Just as Jesus welcomed Peter back and gave him a fresh start, God is always ready to forgive us and hold us close. When we say sorry, His love wraps around us like a warm hug, and He gently helps us try again.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank You that You love me even when I make mistakes. When I feel scared or get things wrong, help me to say sorry and to try again. Thank You for always forgiving me and giving me a fresh start, just like You did for Peter. Amen.
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