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Matthew 16 · Grade 5

The Rock and the Cross

Name Date

Read and Think

Matthew 16 is a turning point. Peter, speaking for the disciples, confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus calls him blessed: flesh and blood did not reveal this, but the Father in heaven. Jesus announces that on this rock He will build His assembly, His church. He says the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

Jesus gives Peter the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, an image of authority to open the door of the Kingdom through the message of the gospel, which Peter later did at Pentecost. Yet Jesus also told the disciples not to tell anyone yet that He was the Christ, because people expected a political Messiah.

Immediately Jesus explains what kind of Messiah He is: He will suffer at the hands of the elders, chief priests and scribes, be killed, and rise the third day. Peter, who had just spoken by the Father's revelation, now speaks like Satan, trying to turn Jesus from the cross. Jesus' path leads through suffering to glory. And His followers walk the same path, losing their lives for His sake to truly find them.

Show What You Know

  1. Who revealed to Peter that Jesus is the Christ?

  2. What did Jesus promise about His church?

  3. What do the keys of the Kingdom represent?

  4. Why did Jesus call Peter Satan after praising him?

  5. What paradox did Jesus teach about losing and finding life?

Crossword

41235

Across

  1. Jesus said He would build His ____.
  2. Jesus warned about the ____ of the Pharisees.
  3. Jesus would rise on the ____ day.

Down

  1. Peter said Jesus is the ____, the Son of the living God.
  2. Followers of Jesus take up their ____.
  3. He said Jesus is the Christ.

Think About It

  1. Peter went from a great confession to a big mistake in minutes. What comfort is there in Jesus' patience with Peter?

  2. Why do you think the world's idea of greatness is so different from the way of the cross?

Memory Verse

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Matthew 16:16 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • How would you answer if a friend asked who Jesus is?
  • Jesus asked, Who do you say I am? Why is that the most important question?
  • What is one specific way you could live out this chapter this week?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.