Simon Peter Says

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.  1 Peter 5:8, 9

Begin this lesson portion by interrupting the teacher and insisting on a game of “Simon Peter Says.”  Lead the kids in a game of “Simon Peter Says,” following the normal rules of “Simon Says.”  Throughout the game, have another worker move in and out of the audience, trying to distract the kids.  When the game is over, declare the winner and give him/her a prize.  Then continue on with the lesson. 

The winner of “Simon Peter Says” won because she was paying very close attention to everything I said and did.  If she wasn’t paying attention, she wouldn’t have won.  Everyone else became distracted by other things and other people.  

            We called this game “Simon Peter Says” because Simon Peter, a disciple of Jesus, wrote some very important words in the Bible about being attentive.  In 1 Peter 5:8, 9, Peter wrote, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”  The devil is walking around, looking for people who aren’t paying attention.  He wants to talk them into doing things that are wrong and thinking things that aren’t true.  If he can talk you into believing things that aren’t true, because you aren’t paying attention, then he can get you away from God.  Pay close attention and don’t let the devil distract you from doing right and believing the truth.  Don’t let him catch you off-guard.  Attentiveness is watching closely and listening carefully to God and others.