God Shows No Favorites: Peter and Cornelius
Acts 10:1-48; Acts 11:18 New Testament PrincipleLove
Cornelius was a Roman army officer who loved God, gave to the poor and prayed. An angel told him to send for Peter. At the same time, Peter had a vision of a sheet full of animals that Jewish law said not to eat. God said, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." Just then, Cornelius's men arrived. Peter went with them, even though Jews didn't usually visit Gentiles. He told Cornelius's household about Jesus, and while he was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came on them. Peter said, "God does not show favoritism." God loves people from every nation, and we should too.
Love means welcoming and caring for others the way God does. God loves people from every nation, and the good news of Jesus is for everyone, so we don't pick favorites.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.”
Acts 10:34-35 BSB
Christ Connection · The gospel
Peter told Cornelius that Jesus is "Lord of all," that He died and rose and that "everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name." Jesus' cross tore down the wall between Jews and Gentiles and made one family from every nation.
Acts 10:43; Ephesians 2:13-14; Galatians 3:28; Revelation 7:9
The Big Story · Redemption
God promised Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his family. When the Holy Spirit came on Cornelius's household, that promise opened wide. The good news of Jesus is for every nation, tribe and language.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- A map of where it happened
- Object lesson: The sheet from heaven
- Ellie’s Lab (science experiment): Oil, water and soap
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Knock knock
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
God loves people everywhere! I love too!
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Animal sheet, Color new friends
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
Cornelius was a Roman soldier who loved God and prayed, but he wasn't Jewish. An angel told him to send for Peter. Meanwhile, God showed Peter a sheet full of animals that Jews weren't allowed to eat. God said, "Do not call anything unclean that God has made clean." Then Cornelius's men knocked at the door. Peter went with them and told Cornelius's family about Jesus, and the Holy Spirit came on them. Peter learned that God loves people from every nation. We should love everyone too.
Memory verse
“God does not show favoritism, but welcomes those from every nation.”
Adapted from Acts 10:34-35
Start here
Ask, "Have you ever felt left out because you were different?" Let a few kids share. Say, "In today's story, God showed Peter that no one is left out of His love."
Bible story 6 min
Cornelius was a soldier in the Roman army. He was not a Jew. But he loved God. He prayed all the time. He gave money to the poor.
One day, an angel came to him. "God has heard you pray! Send men to the town of Joppa. Find a man named Peter."
So Cornelius sent three men to Joppa.
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Dasch Digs Up: Did You Know?
Peter was staying with Simon the tanner, a man who made leather from animal skins. Many Jews stayed away from that job!
Acts 10:6
Try an activity
Act it out 10 min
You’ll need: A bedsheet, Stuffed animals or animal pictures
- Choose Cornelius, the angel, Peter, the voice and a messenger. Everyone else is Cornelius's family.
- Act out the skit. Two helpers lower the sheet of animals.
- Switch so more kids get a turn.
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3rd – 4th grade
God sent an angel to Cornelius, a Roman centurion who prayed and gave to the poor, telling him to send for Peter. Meanwhile, God gave Peter a vision of unclean animals and said, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." When Cornelius's men arrived, Peter understood. He went to a Gentile home, preached Jesus, and the Holy Spirit came on everyone listening. Peter declared, "God does not show favoritism, but welcomes those from every nation." God's love crosses every line, and so should ours.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Two visions, Knock knock
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at school, with friends, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
God moved on two men at once. He sent an angel to Cornelius, a God-fearing Roman centurion, and a vision to Peter, who answered God's command with "No, Lord!" Three times God said, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean," and then Gentile messengers knocked at the gate. Peter entered a Gentile home, preached Jesus as "Lord of all," and the Holy Spirit fell on the listeners before he finished. The wall between Jews and Gentiles came down. God shows no favoritism, and love in His family crosses every line.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 6 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Walls coming down, My "No, Lord"
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at school, with friends, online and on screens
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Love
The same principle in other Bible stories.
Seeing God's WorldMade for RelationshipsMatthew 22:34-40; Genesis 2:18-24; 1 John 4:19-21When someone asked Jesus for the greatest commandment, He gave two that belong together – love God with everything, and love your neighbor as yourself. From the beginning God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone." We were made for relationship with God and with each other.New TestamentLove
Jesus the KingThe Lost SonLuke 15:1-32Jesus told a story about a son who ran away and wasted everything, and a father who ran to welcome him home, showing how much God loves lost people.New TestamentLove
The Woman at the WellJohn 4:1-42Jesus stopped at a well in Samaria and talked with a woman others avoided. He knew everything about her and still offered her living water, and He told her He was the Messiah. She ran to tell her town, "Come and see!" Jesus loves us first, so we love others too.New TestamentLove
Jesus Blesses the ChildrenMark 10:13-16; Matthew 19:13-15; Luke 18:15-17When people brought little children to Jesus, His disciples tried to send them away. Jesus was upset and said, "Let the little children come to Me." He took them in His arms and blessed them. Jesus loves children and welcomes everyone who comes to Him like a child.New TestamentLove
Jesus the KingJesus Dies for UsLuke 23:13-49; Isaiah 53:4-6Jesus was innocent, but He let Himself be put on a cross. He forgave the people who hurt Him and died in our place, because He loves us.New TestamentLove