In Matthew 16:13-20, Jesus asked Peter, “Who do you say I am?” Peter proclaimed, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Here is a Bible activity to share with your elementary kids to help them learn who Jesus truly is. Part one of this article will help you and your children know that it is God Himself who get to declare who He is.
When Jesus asked Peter, “Who do you say I am?” I believe He was asking perhaps the most important question of Peter’s life. In fact, answering this question is essential for all of us to answer. When we can proclaim, like Peter, that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, then we are well on our way to a vibrant relationship with God.
Did you know that each of us gets to say who we are?
For example, if I was to describe myself to you, I would include some of the following points:
- I love Jesus
- I am a wife
- I am a mother
- I am a friend
- I am “The Scripture Lady”
- I write Bible songs
- I perform for children
- I love chicken
- I love antiques
- I want to live in NYC
This is a small list that describes who I am. I am the one who told you the above points. My husband didn’t write these things or my mother. It was me.
Did you know that God gets to say who He is? He does so in His Word.
God’s attributes may be endless, but they are also very clear.
Yet, time and time again, people say who God is according to the way they want Him to be.
For example, many people say God is the following:
- God will allow ALL people into Heaven one day
- God is tolerant of sin
- God does not hear my prayers
- God requires me to work for salvation
- Jesus is not God
- God does not exist
The above list is filled with false beliefs about God. Yet, if we took the time to read the Bible, we would learn who God says He is and understand that these points are false based on what God Himself says about Himself.
So why do people get God so wrong?
I think the answer to this question is found in Jesus’ reply to Peter after he proclaimed Jesus as Messiah.
Jesus said,“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven…” (Matthew 16:17, NIV)
This passage says that God Himself revealed who He is to Peter. Somewhere along his journey, Peter came to believe that Jesus is God and that Jesus is the Messiah. Peter knew who Jesus was because God revealed who Jesus was.
We do not get to say who God is apart from the truth of what the Father in Heaven and His Word declares.
It is crucial that we allow God to tell us who He is through the power of His Holy Spirit in our lives. And remember, the truth of who God is will ALWAYS correspond with His Word. God will NEVER go against His Word.
Part Two of this article will give your kids the opportunity to learn who God says He is through His Son Jesus Christ.
Click HERE for more Bible activities for elementary kids.
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