John 7 teaches children that Jesus is the one who gives us what our hearts truly need, like water for a thirsty person. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jesus offers living water to everyone who is thirsty, and he is the one God sent to show us who God is.
Memory Verse
John 7:37
Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!
(WEB)
Have children stand up and pretend to scoop water from a cup with both hands, lifting it up high. Then have them pretend to take a big drink, saying “Jesus gives living water!” as they do it.
The Story: John 7 for Kids
Jesus was traveling around Galilee, the region where he grew up. His brothers wanted him to go up to Jerusalem for a big holiday feast called the Feast of Booths. They wanted him to show everyone his amazing works. Jesus told them his time had not come yet, so he stayed in Galilee for a while.
Later, Jesus went up to the feast too, but he went quietly, without telling anyone. Halfway through the feast, he went into the temple and began to teach. People were surprised. They asked, “How does this man know so much when he has never been to school?” Jesus told them that his teaching came from God, the one who sent him.
Some people in the crowd liked Jesus and said he was a good man. Others said he was leading people the wrong way. The religious leaders wanted to arrest him, but no one could grab him, because the right time had not come yet. Some officers who were sent to arrest him came back empty-handed. They said, “No one ever spoke like this man!”
On the last and biggest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice. He said, “If anyone is thirsty, come to me and drink!” He told the crowd that anyone who believed in him would have living water flowing from deep inside them. Hearing this, some people began to believe he was truly the one God promised to send.
Not everyone agreed. Some people in the crowd argued about where Jesus came from, and the crowd split into different groups. Nicodemus, a religious leader who had talked with Jesus before, stood up for fairness and asked whether the law allowed judging a man without first hearing him. Then everyone went home, and the story of Jesus was still being talked about.
Read It Together
John 7:38
He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.”
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus said living water would flow from within the one who believes. Ask children what they think it means for water to come out from inside a person, and explain that it shows how Jesus fills our hearts with new life.
John 7:46
The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this man!”
(WEB)
Show children how the officers were amazed by Jesus. Point out that even people sent to stop him could not help being impressed by the way he spoke, which shows how special his words were.
John 7:17
If anyone desires to do his will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is from God, or if I am speaking from myself.
(WEB)
Explain that Jesus said anyone who wants to do God’s will will understand his teaching. Encourage children that when we try to obey God and listen to him, we learn more about who Jesus really is.
Talk About It
- What do you think it feels like to be really thirsty, and how does a cold drink of water help?
- Why do you think Jesus said that he gives something better than water to people who believe in him?
- How did the officers feel when they heard Jesus speak, and why did they not arrest him?
- What is one way you can listen to Jesus and try to do what God wants this week?
- Why is it important to hear someone out before we decide what we think about them, like Nicodemus said?
Activity Ideas
Living Water Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a cup of water. Ask children to draw a person standing in a desert with a big cup of water drawn above them. Then have them draw blue lines flowing out of the person’s chest to show that Jesus gives living water from inside. Talk together about how the picture shows what Jesus said.
Thirsty Crowd Game
You will need a open space and a cup filled with water and a clean towel. Have children act like a crowd at a feast, walking around the room. Stop the music, and let one child be Jesus who calls out, “If anyone is thirsty, come to me!” The children who come to Jesus can pretend to drink, then return to walking. Repeat the game so everyone takes a turn.
Water Bottle Reminder
You will need a small clean water bottle and a sticky note for each child. Have children write or draw one thing they can do to listen to Jesus, such as praying or reading the Bible. Stick the note on the bottle so they can take it home. Encourage them to look at it each time they drink water, remembering that Jesus gives living water.
Teacher Notes
For adults, John 7 shows that Jesus is the one God sent, and that his teaching comes from the Father. The chapter also shows that people responded to him in different ways, some believing and some resisting. Jesus offers the Holy Spirit as living water to those who believe, which the text explains came after he was glorified.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the idea that the crowd or officers were wrong or evil in every case, since the text shows mixed reactions. Keep the focus on Jesus offering living water and inviting everyone to believe, rather than turning the lesson into a debate about the religious leaders.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, we thank you that you offer living water to everyone who is thirsty. Help us to listen to your teaching and believe in you every day. Fill our hearts with your love and help us share your good news with others. Amen.
