Children's Liturgy Guide

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A · Ordinary Time

Peter Gets a Special Name

Reading: Matthew 16:13-20

Leader Prep

Don't worry about doing this perfectly. If the children hear one good idea about God, Jesus, prayer, kindness, forgiveness, or the Gospel, this time has been worthwhile.

Summary

Jesus asks his friends who they think he is. Peter says Jesus is the Son of God, and Jesus is so happy that he gives Peter a very special new name and an important job to help lead God's family.

Key Points

  • Jesus wanted his friends to know who he really is, the Son of God.
  • Peter spoke up and said the truth about Jesus.
  • Jesus gave Simon the new name Peter, which means rock.
  • Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven, a very important job.
  • When we say who Jesus is, we are being like Peter.

Background

This passage is foundational for Catholic ecclesiology: Jesus establishes Peter as the rock upon which the Church is built and gives him the keys, a symbol of authority drawn from Isaiah 22. The profession of faith, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,' is revealed by the Father, not human reasoning. For children, emphasize the concrete image of Jesus giving Peter a new name and keys, like being trusted with something very important. Set aside the deeper theological debates about papal authority and the binding and loosing language, which are beyond this age group.

Session Flow

Opening Prayer

Invite the children to pray with you, then read the opening prayer below. If many don't know the sign of the cross, teach the whole group.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear Jesus, thank you for being our friend and for trusting us with important jobs. Help us to be brave like Peter and to tell others who you are. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Warm-up

Ask the warm-up question before the reading. There are no wrong answers; this is just to help the children connect today's reading to their own lives.

Has anyone ever given you a special nickname or called you something that makes you feel important?

Example: My grandpa calls me his little sunshine because he says I make him smile when I visit him at his house.

Bridge to the reading: Sometimes a special name shows that someone really knows us and loves us. In today's reading, we will hear how Jesus gives his friend Simon a brand new name because Simon says something very important about who Jesus really is.

Read the Scripture

Read the day's selected passage aloud. The full Scripture text is not included here. Use a Children's Lectionary if your parish has one available. A children's Bible may also be helpful for younger children. Otherwise, read from a standard lectionary, Bible, or USCCB.org. Read slowly, with short pauses.

Reading Questions

Ask the questions conversationally. You do not need to use every question if time is short. The example answers are for leader preparation, not scripts or required answers.

  1. What question did Jesus ask his friends, the disciples?

    Example: Jesus asked them who they thought he was, like he wanted to know what they believed about him.

  2. What did Peter say when Jesus asked who he was?

    Example: Peter said that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, which means Jesus is really special.

  3. What new name did Jesus give to Simon after he said this?

    Example: Jesus gave Simon the new name Peter, and that name means rock, which is very strong.

  4. Why do you think Jesus called Peter a rock?

    Example: Maybe because a rock is strong and does not move, and Jesus wanted Peter to be strong and help others.

Application Questions

Use these questions to help the children connect the reading to their own lives this week. Simple, concrete answers are best.

  1. How do you think Peter felt when Jesus gave him a new name and an important job?

    Example: I think Peter felt really happy and special because Jesus trusted him with something so important.

  2. What are some ways you can tell others about Jesus, like Peter did?

    Example: I could tell my friend at school that Jesus loves them, or I could pray before my lunch.

  3. This week, who is someone you could share something about Jesus with?

    Example: I could tell my little brother about Jesus when we say our bedtime prayers together at night.

Recap

Today we heard how Jesus asked his friends who they thought he was. Peter was brave and said Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus was so happy that he gave Peter a new name, which means rock, and trusted him with the keys to heaven. We can be brave like Peter and tell others who Jesus is too.

Prayer of the Faithful

Before returning to the assembly, invite the children to share their own prayer intentions. Their prayers may be serious, simple, funny, or very specific. After each child's prayer, the group may respond: "Lord, hear our prayer." Lastly, include the suggested prayer below.

For all the children who are learning about Jesus for the first time, that they may come to know him as the Son of God, we pray to the Lord.

Mass Connection

If time allows, point out this connection just before returning to Mass. This helps children see that Children's Liturgy is still part of the Mass.

When we say the Creed together at Mass, we are doing what Peter did: saying out loud who we believe Jesus is, the Son of God.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for helping us learn about you today. Help us to be brave like Peter and to share your love with everyone we meet this week. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ChildrensLiturgy.org

Peter Gets a Special Name

Matthew 16:13-20

Word Search

Optional activity: use the word search after the discussion if you have time, or send it home with the children. The words relate to today's Children's Liturgy Scripture passage.

K J J D I I C Y F V R V E F P
I N P E T E R M R M I W L K B
O S D Z W T C K I Q X Z L Z R
I O P S I L Y I B K P U M M R
M N K I N G D O M N R N M H L
T S K R Q E T R U S T E O C Y
I Y Q B V N G S V R L V B C T
V E K C V T D T M F R A T Z T
O K Y G C N B O I W O E X G O
A Q S Q E Y K R K K R H G H T
K I D I C C F E A V R P B R C
I C R J M U H H U V O H T K V
V F O Y E H I B X X E S J W W
S Y H R O R D O G N E M A N A
J E S U S P I P C D Q L K I U

Words to find

  • Peter
  • Jesus
  • rock
  • keys
  • heaven
  • name
  • friends
  • trust
  • brave
  • kingdom
  • Son
  • God

ChildrensLiturgy.org