Lesson Learned: Jesus helps the disciples miraculously catch fish.
Materials Needed: clear jell-o, Swedish Fish, clear jar
Bible Verse:
John 21:
1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”
“No,” they answered.
6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.
Talking Points: Jesus disciples went fishing shortly after Jesus had been killed. They spent all night fishing but they didn’t catch a single fish. In the morning, Jesus is standing on the shore and tells them to cast their nets one more time. They did just as Jesus said and because they listened and obeyed Him, they caught so many fish they could barely drag their nets into the boat. We should always listen and obey Jesus.
Questions: What are some ways you can listen and obey Jesus? Why do you think it’s important to obey?
Activity: Follow the directions on the jell-o and let the child “help” you make it (it may be better to let them observe you doing this since there is hot, boiling water involved!). Pour the jell-o into a clear, see through jar. Show the child that there are no fish in it.
Let the jell-o set for about 1-1 1/2 hours in the refrigerator. Then, add the fish into the jell-o and put it back in the refrigerator to finish setting. After several hours, show the jar to the child. Show them how there are now fish in the jar and have them help you count the fish inside.
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| I used blue jell-o but I would recommend using clear jell-o and adding a little blue food coloring so you can see the fish easier. |
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for performing miracles and doing the impossible in our lives. Please forgive us when we do not listen and obey and please give us hearts that will. Amen!