🌿Peter: Jesus's Friend Who Walked on Water! | Bible Stories for Kids
Meet Peter
Hey friends! 👋 Have you ever heard of a fisherman who became one of Jesus's best friends? That's Peter!
He was an ordinary guy with an extraordinary adventure ahead of him. Before he met Jesus, Peter (whose name was actually Simon back then) spent his days catching fish 🐟 in a big lake called the Sea of Galilee. He wasn't famous or special—just a regular person with a job, a family, and probably some big dreams.
But everything changed when Jesus walked along the shore one day and called out to Peter:
"Follow me, and I'll teach you to fish for people instead of fish!" 🚶♂️
Can you imagine leaving behind everything you know to follow someone? That's exactly what Peter did! Jesus saw something amazing in Peter—even though Peter made lots of mistakes and sometimes said the wrong things, Jesus knew he had a brave heart ❤️ and would become a leader who would help start the very first churches ⛪.
Peter became like Jesus's right-hand man, witnessing incredible miracles, asking lots of questions (sometimes silly ones!), and learning what it means to follow God with your whole heart. His story is super exciting because it shows that Jesus doesn't pick perfect people—He picks people who are willing to try, even when they mess up sometimes!
🌍 Fun Facts & Background 🌍
Here's a little more about Peter before his big adventure:
🐟 Fisherman Pro: Peter owned his own fishing boat! Fishing back then was tough work requiring strength and skill – not just a hobby!
👨👩👧 Family Man: Peter was married! The Bible even tells us Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law. His family had to adjust to his new life following Jesus.
✨ Cool Nickname: His real name was Simon, but Jesus nicknamed him "Peter," which means "rock." Jesus said He would build His church on this rock!
🏠 Hometown: Peter came from Bethsaida ("house of fishing") near the Sea of Galilee, later moving to Capernaum where Jesus performed many miracles.
🗣️ Enthusiastic Speaker: Peter was known for speaking his mind – fast! He was often the first to jump in, sometimes getting it right, sometimes... not so much!
🌊 Water Walker: Besides Jesus, Peter is the only person recorded to have walked on water! Even a few steps is pretty amazing, right?
⚡ Adventure Time! (Key Stories) ⚡
Peter's life with Jesus was full of incredible moments. Here are a few highlights:
🎣 The Amazing Fishing Day & Jesus's Call
Imagine fishing all night and catching nothing. Peter was tired and grumpy. Jesus hops in his boat, teaches the crowds, then tells Peter, the expert fisherman, to go into deep water and try again.
Peter was skeptical: "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I'll let down the nets."
SPLASH! 💦 Suddenly, SO MANY FISH filled the nets they started breaking! Peter needed help from his friends' boat, and both boats nearly sank from the huge catch! 🤯
Amazed, Peter fell to his knees: "Go away from me, Lord; I am too sinful to be around someone like you!"
But Jesus replied gently: "Don't be afraid! From now on, you'll be catching people instead of fish."
Right then, Peter left everything – his boat, the fish, his business – to follow Jesus. 🚶♂️➡️🐟
🌊 Walking on Water in the Storm
One stormy night, the disciples were struggling in their boat against huge waves ⛈️. Suddenly, they see a figure walking on the water! "It's a ghost!" they screamed.
But it was Jesus: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
Brave (and impulsive!) Peter called out: "Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you on the water!"
Jesus said simply: "Come."
Peter stepped out... and walked on water towards Jesus! 👣 But then he saw the wind and waves, got scared, and started to sink!
"Lord, save me!" he cried.
Jesus immediately caught him, asking: "You have such little faith. Why did you doubt?"
Back in the boat, the storm stopped. Everyone worshipped Jesus. This taught Peter (and us!) to keep our eyes on Jesus, not our problems! 👀
🔥 Peter's Big Oops & Amazing Comeback
The night Jesus was arrested was awful for Peter. He had boldly promised: "Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will! I would die with you!"
Jesus sadly predicted: "Before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you don't know me." 🐔
Later, scared, Peter did exactly that. Huddled by a fire, he denied knowing Jesus three times. Then the rooster crowed. Jesus looked at him. Peter ran away, crying bitterly. 💔
He must have felt like the worst friend ever.
But the story doesn't end there! After rising from the dead, Jesus specifically wanted to see Peter. He met Peter by the sea (after another unsuccessful fishing trip!) and made breakfast. 🍳
Then, Jesus asked Peter three times: "Do you love me?"
Each time Peter said yes, Jesus gave him a vital job:
"Feed my lambs."
"Take care of my sheep."
"Feed my sheep."
Instead of rejection, Jesus offered forgiveness and purpose. Peter went from total failure to a bold leader of the church! What a comeback! ❤️🩹➡️🌟
🌟 What Can We Learn from Peter? 🌟
Peter's life teaches us so much:
✅ It's Okay to Make Mistakes! Peter messed up a lot, but Jesus never gave up on him. God loves us even when we aren't perfect and uses our mistakes to help us grow. 🙏
👀 Keep Your Eyes on Jesus: When Peter focused on the storm, he sank. When life feels stormy (tough homework 📚, friend issues 😥, worries 😟), focus on Jesus through prayer, Bible stories, or worship music!
🦸♂️ God Uses Regular People: Peter was just a fisherman! You don't need to be the "best" at anything for God to use you. He sees your heart and can use you right now! ✨
🔄 Second Chances are Real! Peter got a big second chance after his biggest mistake. God offers us forgiveness, and we can offer it to others too. 🤗
🗣️ Be Bold for Jesus: Peter became incredibly brave after Jesus returned to heaven. We can be brave too – sharing God's love, standing up for others, or talking about our faith. 🦁
💬 Awesome Quotes & Bible Verses 💬
Some powerful words connected to Peter:
📖 "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16)
Peter's amazing declaration of who Jesus truly is! A reminder for us that Jesus is God's Son. ✨
📖 "Lord, save me!" (Matthew 14:30)
Peter's desperate cry when sinking. Shows we don't need fancy prayers – just honest cries for help. God hears! 🙏
📖 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)
Peter wrote this later! It means we can throw our worries onto Jesus because He loves us and can handle them. Imagine tossing your fears to Him! ❤️
🧠 Let's Think & Talk! 🧠
Time to make it personal:
🤔 Nickname Time: If Jesus gave you a nickname like "Rock," what might it be based on a special quality He sees in you? Why?
🌊 Boat Scenario: In the storm, would you have stepped out onto the water? Why or why not? What makes it scary or exciting?
🎭 Act It Out: With family or friends, role-play Peter denying Jesus and then Jesus forgiving Peter by the beach. How do the feelings change between scenes?
🧩 Peter Puzzle:
List 3 ways you're similar to Peter (e.g., enthusiastic, make mistakes, loyal friend?).
List 3 ways you can follow Jesus more like Peter did (e.g., be braver, trust more, learn from mistakes?).
🎨 Draw It: Sketch your favorite Peter story! Share it and explain why you like it and what it teaches you about God.
🌼 Prayer Corner 🌼
Let's pray together:
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for Peter's story! 🙏 It shows us You love us even with our mistakes. Help us be brave like Peter and keep our eyes fixed on You, especially when things feel stormy.
When we mess up, please remind us of Your forgiveness and that You can still use us for amazing things. Help us to love You with our whole hearts, like Peter learned to do, and to share Your love with others.
Thank You for being a friend who never gives up on us. We love You!
Amen. ❤️
