Bible moment
The Bible moment
Acts 10:9–16 describes Peter going up to the rooftop to pray while Cornelius’s messengers are approaching Joppa. Peter becomes hungry and sees heaven opened. A large sheet-like object is lowered, containing various animals and creatures. A voice tells Peter to kill and eat, but Peter objects that he has never eaten anything common or unclean. The voice responds that he should not call common what God has cleansed. This happens three times, and then the object is taken up again. The passage presents a vision that prepares Peter for what follows in Acts 10, when he learns that God welcomes people from every nation. The scene should retain both Peter’s thoughtful objection and the repeated nature of the command. It should not supply a separate list of animals or add interpretations not stated in the passage.
Look closely
What children can notice
On the rooftop of Simon the tanner’s house, Peter looks upward in wonder as a large sheet-like object is lowered from heaven with various animals and creatures inside. Peter gestures thoughtfully as he responds to the repeated command to kill and eat, while the heavenly voice is represented without depicting God the Father as a person.
Talk together
Talk about it
- Why do you think Peter was thoughtful and unsure about the command?
- What does this story show about whom God welcomes?
For families, church, and class
Use this page
Use this page with Acts 10:9–16 when teaching older children about Peter’s vision and God’s direction. Invite children to notice the rooftop setting, the lowered sheet, Peter’s objection, and the three repetitions. Connect the scene to the larger account without suggesting that the picture shows animals being harmed or eaten. Explain that the later passage says God welcomes people from every nation. For a classroom, church, or homeschool setting, read the verses aloud and let children describe what Peter sees before discussing how God guides him.
Source note
From this passage
Acts 10:9–16 · Cornelius Receives the Gospel
On the rooftop of Simon the tanner’s house, Peter looks upward in wonder as a large sheet-like object is lowered from heaven with various animals and creatures inside. Peter gestures thoughtfully as he responds to the repeated command to kill and eat, while the heavenly voice is represented without depicting God the Father as a person.
