fbpx

KidsKonnect

Peter, The Apostle Facts & Worksheets

Simon Peter, also known simply as Peter, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He is a prominent figure in Christian tradition and is considered one of the most influential early leaders of the early Christian movement.

Search for Worksheets

Worksheets /Social Studies /Peter, The Apostle Facts & Worksheets

Premium
Not ready to purchase a subscription? Click to download the free sample version   Download sample

Simon Peter, also known simply as Peter, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He is a prominent figure in Christian tradition and is considered one of the most influential early leaders of the early Christian movement.

See the fact file below for more information about Peter, or you can download our 26-page Peter worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND

  • Peter is one of the key characters in the New Testament of the Bible. He is also known by the names Simon Peter or Cephas. 
  • His early years and personal details offer important new perspectives on his experiences as one of Jesus Christ’s disciples and a prominent figure in the early Christian movement.
  • In the first century CE, Peter was born in the community of Bethsaida, which is situated close to the Sea of Galilee in the Galilee area. 
  • He was Jonah’s son, and his brother Andrew later followed Jesus as one of his disciples. Peter, along with Andrew, worked as a fisherman, making their living on the Sea of Galilee.

FROM SIMON TO PETER

  •  In the Gospels, Peter is presented as an impetuous yet devoted person. He initially encountered Jesus through his brother Andrew. 
  • Peter, who accepted Jesus as the Messiah, became one of his closest followers and had a huge impact on his work.
  • Peter’s invitation to become a disciple is one of the first accounts about him. 
  • The beginning of Peter’s journey as a disciple begins in the Gospel of Matthew when Jesus approaches Peter and his brother Andrew while they are out fishing and says, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately, they abandon their nets and become Jesus’ dedicated disciples.
  • Throughout the course of the ministry of Jesus, Peter rose to become one of the key disciples. He was there for a number of significant occasions, including the Transfiguration, where Jesus’ heavenly majesty was manifest.
  • Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, shows his unshakeable commitment and confidence.
  • One remarkable event is Peter’s attempt to walk on water. Jesus approaches the disciples who are floating on the sea in the middle of a storm on the Sea of Galilee. 
  • Peter asks to meet Jesus and is overflowing with faith. He exits the boat and momentarily wanders on the sea before he starts to question himself and begins to drown. Jesus saves him and imparts faith’s value to him.
  • Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” at Caesarea Philippi. Peter answers directly, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 
  • Jesus accepts Peter’s declaration and says, “Upon this rock, I will build my church.” This affirmation strengthens Peter’s position as the disciples’ leader.
  • Peter asks to meet Jesus and is overflowing with faith. He exits the boat and momentarily wanders on the sea before he starts to question himself and begins to drown. Jesus saves him and imparts faith’s value to him.
  • Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” at Caesarea Philippi. Peter answers directly, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 
  • Jesus accepts Peter’s declaration and says, “Upon this rock, I will build my church.” This affirmation strengthens Peter’s position as the disciples’ leader.
  • Peter did, however, experience lapses in strength and uncertainty. During Jesus’ trial and execution, he notoriously rejected Jesus three times; nevertheless, he eventually felt profound regret and asked for pardon. 
  • Jesus pardoned Peter and confirmed his function, giving him the go-ahead to encourage the other disciples and develop the early Christian society.

PETER’S MINISTRY AFTER CHRIST

  • Peter was crucial to the early growth of Christianity after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. He rose to prominence as an apostle in the fledgling church. He played an essential role on the Day of Pentecost when he spoke a stirring sermon that led to the conversion of thousands of people.
  • The early Christian Church was greatly influenced by Peter’s leadership and ideas.
  • Peter’s impact grew after the initial period of his ministry in Jerusalem and reached beyond the Jewish community. Peter traveled as a missionary, bringing the good news of Jesus and founding Christian communities according to tradition and early Christian scriptures.
  • Antioch is one prominent place where Peter is thought to have exercised his ministry following the crucifixion of Jesus. Antioch, which was in modern-day Turkey, was a vibrant and varied metropolis. 
  • The development of the Christian community at Antioch was greatly aided by Peter’s time there. 
  • He was instrumental in promoting the inclusiveness of the Christian faith and bridging the divide between Jewish and Gentile Christians.
  • Rome, the seat of the Roman Empire, is another significant place connected to Peter’s mission. Tradition has it that Peter visited Rome and was ordained as the first bishop of the city. 
  • The founding and growth of the Christian community in Rome were significantly influenced by his stay there. Peter’s work in Rome is thought to have finally resulted in his martyrdom.

PETER’S RELEVANCE TO CHRISTIANITY

  • Peter’s apostleship and ministry, which were distinguished by his fearless preaching, excellent leadership, and the founding of Christian communities, played a significant role in the development and spread of Christianity outside of its Jerusalem-based roots. 
  • His influence extended far and wide, having a profound effect on the early Christian Church.
  • Peter’s status as the first Pope of the Roman Catholic Church is one of the most important features of his importance. According to Catholic legend, Jesus chose Peter to be the head of the Church, creating a clear connection between Jesus and the succeeding popes. The foundation of papal authority in Catholicism is this doctrine.
  • Peter’s importance is not limited to Catholicism. He is regarded as an important apostle and a representation of faith and authority in many Christian groups. 
  • Lessons of repentance, forgiveness, and unshakable confidence in Christ’s teachings can be learned through his experiences, such as his declaration of Jesus as the Christ and his subsequent restoration after denial.
  • Furthermore, it is impossible to underestimate Peter’s influence on early Christian doctrine. His works are found in the New Testament and offer Christians direction and teaching, notably the letters known as 1 Peter and 2 Peter. 
  • Peter’s leadership and pastoral care for the early Christian communities are reflected in these letters’ discussions of faith, suffering, and the Christian way of life.
  • Peter’s function as a link between Jewish and Gentile Christians is another aspect of his importance. 
  • His encounters with Cornelius, the centurion, and the vision he received in Joppa show that he understood God’s unconditional love and was eager to include Gentiles in the Christian religion. 
  • This emphasis has impacted the growth of Christian theology and practice on inclusion and the dismantling of religious boundaries.
  • Peter serves as a fascinating and approachable character for Christians of all faiths, representing the transformational power of Jesus’ teaching and the lasting relevance of faith in the Christian tradition. His steadfast faith, path of repentance and forgiveness, and emphasis on inclusion.

Peter, The Apostle Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Peter, the Apostle across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Peter, he was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He is a prominent figure in Christian tradition and is considered one of the most influential early leaders of the early Christian movement.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Peter Facts
  2. Peter’s Life
  3. Fishers of Men
  4. Peter’s Miracles
  5. Walk on Water
  6. Christianity for All
  7. The Transfiguration
  8. The Cost of Denial
  9. First Epistle of Peter
  10. Values in 1 Peter
  11. 2nd Epistle of Peter

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Peter in the Bible?

Peter, also known as Simon Peter, was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ and is considered a prominent figure in the New Testament of the Bible. He was a fisherman by trade and became one of Jesus’ closest and most prominent followers.

What role did Peter play among Jesus’ disciples?

Peter held a significant role among Jesus’ disciples. He was often depicted as a leader and spokesperson for the group. Jesus gave him the nickname “Peter,” which means “rock,” indicating his future role as a foundational figure in the early Christian church.

What is Peter most known for in the Bible?

Peter is most known for his passionate and impulsive nature. He famously denied knowing Jesus three times during Jesus’ trial, but later repented and became a powerful advocate for the Christian faith after Jesus’ resurrection. He preached boldly on the day of Pentecost and performed miracles in the name of Jesus.

What is the significance of Peter’s confession?

One of the significant moments involving Peter is his confession of Jesus as the Messiah. In Matthew 16:13-20, Jesus asks his disciples who they think he is, and Peter responds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus then commends Peter for his faith and proclaims that upon this confession, he will build his church.

How did Peter die according to tradition?

According to tradition, Peter was martyred in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero. He was crucified upside down, as he reportedly felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. This tradition reflects Peter’s deep sense of humility and commitment to his faith, even in the face of persecution.

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

Link will appear as Peter, The Apostle Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, September 13, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

Related Resources