Faith Under Pressure · Week 4 · Grades 3–5
Guided Notes: Sts. Peter and Paul
- Name
- Date
- Class
Follow along as your teacher presents. Fill in each section when its slide is on the screen.
Sts. Peter and Paul
Simon becomes Peter
Simon was a fisherman on the Sea of blank 1. Jesus called Simon and his brother Andrew, and they left their nets to follow him.
Jesus gave Simon a new name, Peter, which means “rock.” He said he would build his blank 2 on this rock.
On the night Jesus was arrested, Peter was afraid. Three times he said he did not know Jesus. Then he wept.
After Jesus rose from the dead, he asked Peter three times if he loved him. Then he told Peter to feed his sheep.
Words to know
Write what each word means.
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Apostle | Write your answer |
| Conversion | Write your answer |
| Epistle | Write your answer |
| Martyr | Write your answer |
Saul becomes Paul
Saul, also called Paul, came from the city of blank 3. He was sure the followers of Jesus were wrong, and he had them arrested.
On the road to blank 4, a bright light flashed around him. He heard Jesus ask, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
Saul was baptized and spent the rest of his life telling people about Jesus. He traveled by land and sea and started many blank 5 communities.
When he could not visit them, he wrote letters to teach and blank 6 them.
Quick check
What does the name Peter mean? Circle one.
- A Fisherman
- B Rock
- C Shepherd
- D Traveler
Messages that build up
Paul’s letters helped faraway friends stay close and grow strong. Sort each message: does it build friendship or break it? Check one box for each.
| Item | Builds friendship | Breaks friendship |
|---|---|---|
| Texting a sick classmate to say “get well soon” | ||
| Leaving one person out of the group chat on purpose | ||
| Video calling a grandparent who lives far away | ||
| Sharing an embarrassing photo of a friend | ||
| Saying sorry after a mean comment in a game | ||
| Typing something you would never say face to face |
Quick check
How did Paul stay close to communities he could not visit? Circle one.
- A He sent them gold coins
- B He built them churches
- C He caught fish for them
- D He wrote them letters
Think, pair, share
Paul’s letters were carried by hand and read aloud to the whole community. If you could send one message to encourage someone far away, who would get it and what would it say?
Think: my idea before we talk
Sentence starters: “I would send a message to ... because ...”“My message would say ...”“A message can help a friendship when ...”
Pair: something my partner said
Let us pray
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
John 21:17
Jesus, you forgave Peter and you called Paul.
Help our words bring people closer to you and to each other.
Sts. Peter and Paul, pray for us.
Amen.
My own prayer or intention:
Well done!
Peter and Paul both gave their lives for Jesus in Rome. The Church celebrates them together on June 29.
One thing I learned today:
One question I still have:
Challenge: Send one message this week that encourages someone, the way Paul’s letters did. A note, a card or a text all count.