At that time, when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of man, am?”

And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elias, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

1. What does Jesus ask His disciples at the beginning of this Gospel reading? Why do you think He asks them that?

2. Who do the disciples say that others say Jesus is?

3. How does Peter respond when Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?”

4. Is Jesus happy with Peter’s response? How do you know?

5. Did Christ’s prophecy come true? Have the gates of hell not prevailed against the church? Ask your godparents, parents, or someone else at church to give you an example.