Peter and Cornelius

Mountaintop Movies

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Children will watch a movie “Respect” from the Book of Virtues series in which Annie and Zack are unkind to a junk yard owner who has been very helpful to them.

Bible Background:

is found in the Bible Background forum.

Lesson Objectives:

1. Children can identify ways that Zack and Annie are unkind and can creatively imagine what they might have been thinking
2. Children can identify ways that they personally have been unkind, or ways that other children have been unkind, to someone “different” and can explain the reasons behind those attitudes.
3. In reading the story of Peter and Cornelius, children can see the parallels to the story of Zack and Annie, and their own stories.

Supplies List:

• Movie “Respect” from the series The Book of Virtues
• Paper easel and markers
• Popcorn supplies

Leader Preparation:

• Read the biblical background notes and answer the questions raised in the “themes” section to figure out what this story means to you.
• Read through the lesson and decide how best to manage your time.
• Preview the movie and identify exactly where you want to stop the movie for discussion and which story you will fast forward through if time is running short.

Movie Summary
The general format of the movie is that the situation is presented first– Zack and Annie are unkind towards a man who is different, but nonetheless very kind and helpful.

When Plato (the buffalo) and the others hear of this, they tell stories that illustrate the errors of Annie and Zack’s ways.

The story concludes with Zack and Annie making things right.

To see a preview see here https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5vp682

Lesson Plan

Opening:

Divide the paper into three columns
With the children’s help, make a list of “strange” or “weird” people in the left column.
Ask: Why do you consider them strange? (write answers on the easel in the center column)
Ask: How do you/other kids treat the strange person (write answers in the third column)

Explain that in this movie, Zack and Annie are going to come across a man they find to be kind of different.

Dig:

Watch the first part of the movie. Stop before Plato (buffalo) begins telling stories.
Place the name of the junk yard worker in the first column.
Ask: Why did Zack and Annie think he was strange? (answers in 2nd column)
How did they treat him? (answers 3rd column)

Point to the 3rd column – the way “strange” people are treated in real life and in the movie.
Ask, what do you think God would say to Zack and Annie? What would God say to us?

Explain who Cornelius was (see the background notes, especially about centurions of the Roman cohort). Can you think of some reasons that Peter might not have liked Cornelius?
Read together what God told Peter in Acts 10:9-16

Start a new piece of paper and write “Stories” on top and write “Peter’s Vision of Unclean Animals.”

Explain that God is trying to teach Peter a lesson through the story.
Ask: What lesson is God trying to teach Peter?

Return to the video and watch it to the end. (You can fast forward if time is an object.)

List the other stories told by Plato and the animals.
What lesson is Plato teaching Zack and Annie in (name each story)?

How are these stories similar to the story of Peter’s vision?

Life Application
Look again at the original list of strange people and the feelings/actions.
What might Peter’s vision tell us about these situations?
How does God want us to treat people who are different/strange/weird?

*NOTE* There ARE times where our instinctive reaction against someone might be because the person really is unsafe or wanting to do us harm. It is difficult, even for adults, to distinguish these helpful “gut feelings” from culturally dictated prejudices. Children have probably had discussions about not taking rides from strangers, etc. (or if not, they should have). What is the difference between showing Christian love to all people and putting yourself in a situation where you can easily become a victim? Be aware of these competing themes as you have this discussion.

Reflection:

Journaling:
Dream God’s Dream – What kind of world do you think God envisions? How can you make that a reality?

A lesson written by Lisa Martin from: Trinity UCC
Pottstown, PA