This lesson teaches children that they grow and bear good fruit when they stay connected to Jesus, just as branches stay joined to a vine. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. When we stay close to Jesus, we grow and show His love to others.
Memory Verse
John 15:5
I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
(WEB)
Hold both arms out wide like branches. Then wiggle your fingers as you say the verse together, and bring your hands gently together at the end to show staying close to Jesus.
The Story: John 15 for Kids
One day Jesus was talking with His friends, the disciples, in the upper room. He wanted them to understand something special about how they could grow strong. So He picked a picture they could all picture in their minds: a grapevine. Vines were everywhere in that part of the world, with thick stems and branches reaching out in every direction.
Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer.” He explained that the farmer takes care of the vine. Every branch that grows fruit is cleaned and pruned so it can grow even more fruit. A branch that does not bear fruit is taken away. The farmer knows what each branch needs.
Then Jesus told them something simple and important. A branch cannot make fruit all by itself. It has to stay joined to the vine to get the water and food it needs. Jesus said, “Remain in me, and I in you.” In other words, stay close to Me and I will stay close to you.
Jesus also spoke about love. He said they should love one another, just as He had loved them. He called His friends “friends,” not just servants, because He shared everything He had learned from His Father. Jesus wanted His friends to know how much they were loved.
Read It Together
John 15:4
Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me.
(WEB)
Point out the words “Remain in me.” Ask children what it might look like to stay close to Jesus each day, such as talking to Him in prayer or reading His Word.
John 15:9-10
9 Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love.
(WEB)
Show children that Jesus loves us the same way the Father loves Him. Explain that keeping His commandments helps us stay in His love, like a branch that keeps drawing life from the vine.
John 15:12-13
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus gives a new command, to love one another as He loved us. Talk about how Jesus showed the greatest love by giving His life for His friends, and how we can show love in small everyday ways.
Talk About It
- What is something a branch needs from the vine to stay alive and grow?
- How can you stay close to Jesus during your week at school or at home?
- What kind of fruit do you think Jesus hopes to see grow in your life?
- Who is one person you could show Jesus’ love to this week, and how?
- Why do you think Jesus calls His followers friends instead of just servants?
Activity Ideas
Paper Vine Collage
You will need construction paper, scissors, glue, a brown crayon or marker, and some green and red paper scraps. Have children cut a long brown trunk and branches, glue them onto a larger sheet, and then add green leaves and red or purple grape circles to each branch. As they work, remind them that the branches get their life from the vine.
Branch and Vine Freeze Game
Ask children to pair up, with one child as the vine and the other as a branch. The branch stands with arms out, and the vine holds on to the branch’s wrist. Call out “prune” and the branch sits down, or call out “fruit” and the branch cheers and claps. Play a few rounds and then switch roles so everyone experiences both.
Take-Home Fruit Card
You will need index cards, markers, and a stapler or tape. Write “Remain in Jesus” on one side of each card and draw a simple branch on the back. Encourage each child to write one way they will show love this week, such as helping a sibling, and place the card somewhere they will see it at breakfast or bedtime.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage describes the intimate, life-giving connection believers have with Christ. Fruitfulness flows from remaining in Him, not from our own effort. Jesus also ties that abiding to love and obedience, showing that His love and His commands go together.
With children, avoid overstating the idea that God will remove people who struggle or fail. Keep the focus on the joy of staying close to Jesus and His love for us, and on the truth that we grow by remaining connected to Him day by day.
A Prayer to Close
Jesus, thank You for being the true vine. Help us stay close to You every day, so we can grow strong and show Your love to the people around us. Thank You that we are Your friends. We love You. Amen.
