In this lesson, children learn that Jesus showed his power by turning water into wine at a wedding and by caring about God’s house. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Jesus is God’s Son, he has power to help us, and he cares about how we honor God. We can trust him to do what is best.
Memory Verse
John 2:11
This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
(WEB)
Have the children sit tall, hold both hands up like they are holding a cup, then slowly lift the cup to their lips as if taking a drink. Say the verse together as they move, then sit down quietly on the last word.
The Story: John 2 for Kids
One day, Jesus and his disciples were invited to a wedding in a town called Cana. Jesus’ mother was there too, helping the family. Everyone was having a happy time eating, dancing, and talking together. Weddings in that place lasted for days, so the people needed lots of food and drink.
Then the wine ran out. Jesus’ mother noticed and told Jesus, “They have no more wine.” Jesus was kind but said his time had not yet come. His mother trusted him anyway. She told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Near the door were six big stone water jars. Each one could hold a lot of water. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” They filled them all the way to the top. Then Jesus said, “Now pour some out and take it to the man in charge of the feast.”
When the man tasted it, he was surprised. The water had turned into wine, and it was the best wine of the whole party. He called the bridegroom over and said, “Most people serve the good wine first. But you saved the best for now!” The servants knew where the wine came from, but the man did not.
This was the first sign Jesus did to show who he really was. His disciples saw it and believed in him even more. Later, Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. He saw people selling animals and changing money inside the temple, which was supposed to be a house of prayer. Jesus made a whip out of cords and sent them all out, saying, “Do not make my Father’s house a marketplace!”
Read It Together
John 2:1-2
1 The third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. 2 Jesus also was invited, with his disciples, to the marriage.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus was invited to a real wedding with his friends. Ask the children why Jesus would want to go to a party and be part of a happy family celebration.
John 2:7-8
7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” They filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast.” So they took it.
(WEB)
Show how Jesus asked the servants to do the work of filling the jars, and they obeyed even without understanding. Talk about how following Jesus’s directions can be a way of trusting him.
John 2:16
To those who sold the doves, he said, “Take these things out of here! Don’t make my Father’s house a marketplace!”
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus called the temple his Father’s house and wanted it to be a place for worship. Ask children what they can do to show respect for the places where they worship God.
Talk About It
- What did you think when the wine ran out at the wedding?
- Why do you think Jesus’ mother trusted him to help?
- How did the servants help Jesus, even though they did not understand everything?
- What do you think Jesus wanted people to remember about God’s house?
- How can you show that you trust Jesus when things seem hard or confusing?
Activity Ideas
Water Jar Craft
Give each child a paper cup, some tissue paper, glue, and a crayon. Have them color the cup to look like a stone jar, then glue on small pieces of blue tissue paper to show the water. Let them take the cup home as a reminder that Jesus can change ordinary things into something wonderful.
Pour and Pass Game
Set up two plastic cups and a larger bowl of water at one end of the room. Have children take turns carrying a spoonful of water across the room to a bucket without spilling, as the servants carried the water. Cheer for each child and remind the class that trusting Jesus’s instructions helps us do good work together.
Take-Home Promise Card
Give each child an index card and a marker. Have them write or draw one thing they can trust Jesus to help with this week, such as being brave or being kind. Encourage them to keep the card on their nightstand or in their backpack and to talk about it with their family at dinner.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that Jesus’s first sign was given at an ordinary celebration, and it revealed his glory and led his disciples to believe in him. The cleansing of the temple shows his zeal for true worship and his authority over God’s house, and John later explains that Jesus was speaking of his own body as the true temple.
Avoid overstating the idea that God always gives us exactly what we want just because we ask. Children should understand that Jesus is trustworthy and loves us, even when his timing or his answers look different from what we expected.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you for showing us your power at the wedding and for caring about your Father’s house. Help us to trust you when things are hard, and help us to follow your good instructions. Help us to honor you in everything we do, and to share your love with others. Amen.
