Who Am I?
Read Mark 8:27-38.
Today is the 16th Sunday of Pentecost. During Pentecost, we grow closer to God and closer to one another.
In today’s gospel, Jesus and his disciples are traveling and Jesus asks them a question. Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do you think I am?” What do you think they said?
Watch today’s video and find out:
Peter was the one who answered Jesus. He said, “You are the Messiah. The one God has sent to save the world!”
Peter was exactly right. Jesus is the one God sent to save the world. Jesus told Peter that Jesus would die on the cross and then three days later rise from the dead and be alive again. Peter didn’t like to hear that. He told Jesus he didn’t want that to happen. Jesus said to Peter, “You are thinking about how you want things to be rather than how God has planned them.” Jesus invited Peter to follow Jesus.
We can understand why Peter didn’t want Jesus to die. He didn’t totally understand that God would raise Jesus to new life…that Jesus would be alive again! We do know that Peter did continue to follow Jesus and to learn from him.
This story started with Jesus asking his disciples, “Who do you think I am?” Peter had the right answer. Jesus is the Messiah, the one God sent to save the world. Jesus has done that by his death on the cross and his resurrection to new life.
The question for today is “Who are you?” As Christians, we are followers of Jesus. We are people who love Jesus and who share that love with others. Who are you? We are follower of Jesus!
Discuss
- What do you know about Jesus?
- What words would you use to describe yourself?
- How can you show your love for Jesus?
Song
Jesus Loves Me. Go Fish Guys.
Activity
Today we asked “Who are you?” Download this “Get to Know Me” poster (from printablee.com) and complete it. Share it with someone so they can know you better.
Activity
The cross is a symbol that reminds us of Jesus. Using a sheet of paper, use painter’s tape to make a cross in the center of the paper. Wet sidewalk chalk and color the page. When you are done, remove the tape and you will have a cross. Hang this page somewhere you will see it to remind you that Jesus loves you!
(picture from housingaforest.com)
Closing Prayer
God, we thank you for Jesus, who you sent to save the world. Help us to love and follow Jesus in all we say and do. Amen.
Pastor Dan Fugate, Assistant to the Bishop for Discipleship in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA, put this lesson together for Sunday School @ Home. There will be a new one for each Sunday as we continue through this COVID wilderness. Contact him at dfugate@iksynod.org.