This lesson teaches children that Jesus knows where they are, cares about their everyday needs, and loves them even after they make mistakes. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, a short activity, and prayer.
Big Idea
Jesus loves us, comes to find us, and gives us a fresh start when we have done wrong. He always wants us to follow him.
Memory Verse
John 21:6
He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish.
(WEB)
Stand up tall and pretend to throw a big net out to the side, then pull it in with both hands. Do the motion together three times while you say the words slowly. Children remember the verse best when their bodies help them.
The Story: John 21 for Kids
After Jesus came back to life, some of his friends went back to their old job of fishing on the Sea of Galilee. Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, and a few others got into a boat and fished all night. But they caught nothing at all. Their nets stayed empty, and they must have been very tired and discouraged.
When morning came, they saw a man standing on the beach. They did not know it was Jesus. He called out, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered, “No.” Then he told them to throw the net on the right side of the boat. They did, and suddenly the net was so full of fish that they could not pull it in!
The disciple whom Jesus loved looked at the beach and said, “It’s the Lord!” Peter was so excited that he put on his coat and jumped right into the water to get to Jesus. The others came in the little boat, dragging the heavy net full of fish behind them.
When they got to the shore, Jesus already had a fire going with fish and bread on it. He said, “Come and eat breakfast.” Jesus took the bread and the fish and shared them with his friends. They knew for sure that it was really the Lord.
After breakfast, Jesus spoke to Peter. Peter had said he would never leave Jesus, but he had denied knowing him when things got scary. Jesus asked him three times, “Do you love me?” Each time Peter said yes. Then Jesus told him, “Feed my sheep.” Jesus gave Peter a new job and forgave him.
Read It Together
John 21:4-5
4 But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach, yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.”
(WEB)
Point out that the disciples worked hard all night and caught nothing. Jesus was on the shore even though they did not recognize him at first. Ask children to name a time they felt like they were working hard but had nothing to show for it.
John 21:15
So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
(WEB)
Show children that Jesus asked Peter a question about love before giving him a job. Explain that love for Jesus comes first, and then caring for others follows. Point out that Peter answered honestly and Jesus still trusted him.
John 21:22
Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.”
(WEB)
Jesus told Peter to focus on following him, not comparing himself to someone else. Help children see that each person has their own path with God. Remind them that God knows what is best for each of his children.
Talk About It
- What did the disciples do all night, and how do you think they felt when they caught nothing?
- How did it feel for Peter to be forgiven, and what did Jesus ask him to do?
- Why do you think Jesus cooked breakfast on the beach for his friends?
- What is one way you can show Jesus that you love him this week?
- When you feel like you have messed up, how can you remember that Jesus still wants you to follow him?
Activity Ideas
Paper Fish Net Craft
You will need construction paper, crayons, scissors, glue, and a piece of string or yarn. Have each child draw and cut out a few fish shapes and color them bright. Glue the fish onto a larger sheet of blue paper that looks like the sea. Attach a loop of yarn so the picture can hang where everyone can see it.
Cast the Net Game
You will need a blanket, a few soft balls or rolled up socks, and open space. Spread the blanket on the floor as a boat. Children stand around it and take turns tossing the soft balls onto a spot on the right side of the blanket. Cheer loudly each time someone lands one, and remind the group that Jesus helped them catch fish.
Breakfast Reminder Card
You will need a small index card, a pen or marker, and a few stickers. Write the words “Jesus cooks breakfast for us” on the card and let the child decorate it with stickers. Encourage them to take it home and place it on the kitchen table. When they see it at breakfast, they can talk about how Jesus cares for us every day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that Jesus comes looking for his disciples after the resurrection and restores Peter after his denials. The three questions match the three times Peter denied Jesus, and the repeated call to feed and tend the sheep shows that love for Jesus is expressed in caring for others. The passage ends with Jesus inviting Peter to follow him, which is still the central call for every believer.
Be careful not to overstate the details about Peter’s future death or about the disciple whom Jesus loved. Children do not need to learn the exact meaning of those verses, and it is better to keep the focus on Jesus forgiving and calling Peter. Keep the lesson simple and centered on God’s love.
A Prayer to Close
Jesus, thank you for coming to find us when we are tired and empty. Thank you for cooking breakfast for us and for loving us even when we make mistakes. Help us to follow you each day and to care for the people around us. Amen.
