This lesson teaches children that Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, so we stay close to him by loving him and loving others. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including a short story, a verse, a discussion and one activity.
Big Idea
Jesus is like a vine, and we grow good things when we stay connected to him. Staying close to Jesus means loving him, obeying him, and loving the people around us.
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 hands up with your fingers spread wide, like branches. Wiggle your fingers as you say the verse together, then link your pinkies to show staying connected. Repeat the motion three times until children can do it without you.
The Story: John 15 for Kids
One evening, Jesus sat with his friends and told them a picture story. He said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer.” A vine is a plant with long stems, and the branches grow out from it. Jesus wanted his friends to see that he was the strong plant that gives life.
Jesus explained that a branch cannot make fruit by itself. It must stay attached to the vine to get what it needs. Jesus told his friends, “Remain in me, and I in you.” He meant that they should stay close to him, trust him, and keep following him every day.
The farmer, Jesus said, cares for every branch. He cuts away the branches that do not grow fruit, and he trims the good branches so they can grow even more fruit. Sometimes the trimming can be hard to see, but the farmer is always doing something good for the plant.
Then Jesus gave a new command. He said, “Love one another, even as I have loved you.” Jesus showed his friends the greatest love when he chose to lay down his life for them. He called them his friends, not just servants, because he had shared everything he learned from his Father with them.
Jesus wanted his friends to know that the world might not always be kind to them. He said that if people disliked him, they might dislike his followers too. But he also promised that the Holy Spirit, the Helper, would come to them and help them tell others about Jesus.
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 word “remain,” which means to stay close and not wander off. Ask children what it looks like to stay close to Jesus at school, at home and at bedtime.
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)
Show children that Jesus gives a clear command about love and then describes the greatest love of all. Help them name one simple way they can show love to a friend this week.
John 15:16
You didn’t choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus chose his friends and gave them a job to do, which is to go and bear fruit. Explain that fruit in this story means the good things that come from loving Jesus, like kindness, patience and helping others.
Talk About It
- What do you think a branch needs in order to grow strong and make fruit?
- How can you stay close to Jesus when you are at school or playing with friends?
- Why do you think Jesus called his followers his friends?
- What is one way you could show love to someone the way Jesus loves us?
- When someone is unkind to you, what can you remember about Jesus that helps you?
Activity Ideas
Paper Vine Branch Craft
You will need brown construction paper, green paper, glue, scissors and crayons. Have children cut a long brown strip for the vine trunk and glue it to a sheet of paper. They can cut out green leaves and fruit shapes to stick on the branches, and talk about one good thing that grows when we stay close to Jesus as they work.
Branch and Fruit Game
Ask children to stand in a circle and hold hands, like branches connected to a vine. Call out “Fruit!” and everyone must reach up and wiggle their fingers, then call out “Trimmed!” and children must stay connected while crouching slightly. This game helps children remember that staying connected brings good fruit and that the Father cares for each branch.
Fruit Basket Take-Home
You will need a paper plate, a marker, and a small piece of fruit or a drawing of fruit for each child. Ask children to write or draw one way they will show love at home this week and place it on the plate. Encourage them to take it home and tell a family member how they plan to be a good branch for Jesus.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage describes the close, living connection that believers have with Jesus. Fruit is the natural result of that connection, not a reward earned by effort, and the passage ties abiding in Christ directly to love for one another and to bearing witness in the world. Adults can also see in John’s wording how Jesus describes his followers as friends who receive his teaching.
Avoid suggesting to children that God will punish them whenever they fail or that good behavior guarantees every prayer will be answered. The passage speaks of the Father’s care and the close bond with Jesus, so keep the focus on love and connection rather than fear.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, we want to stay close to you like branches on a vine. Help us love you, love others, and bear good fruit every day. Thank you for being our friend and for helping us grow. Amen.
