This lesson teaches children that Jesus offers living water to anyone who is thirsty and believes in him. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Use it with a Bible open on your lap, a cup of water on the table, and a few simple craft supplies.
Big Idea
Jesus gives us what our hearts thirst for, and anyone can come to him and drink. He is the one who fills us with new life that lasts.
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)
Cup your hands together in front of you like you are holding water. Lift them up slowly toward your mouth as you say the verse, then open your hands wide as if the water is pouring out and spilling over. Do this together three times until the motion and the words stick.
The Story: John 7 for Kids
Jesus and his family were getting ready for a big celebration called the Feast of Booths. People built little shelters out of branches and lived in them for a week to remember how God cared for their families long ago in the desert. Jesus’ brothers said, “Go to the feast so everyone can see what you can do.” But Jesus was not going yet, because the right time had not come.
Later, Jesus did go up to the feast, quietly, not in a crowd. Halfway through the week he walked into the temple and began to teach. People were surprised. They asked, “How does this man know so much without going to school?” Jesus told them 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 were angry and wanted to hurt him. Jesus reminded them that God’s law says to care for people, and he asked why they were trying to hurt him. The leaders sent officers to arrest him, but the officers came back empty-handed. They said, “No one has ever talked like this man!”
On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up in the crowd and called out in a loud voice. He said, “If anyone is thirsty, come to me and drink!” He told them that whoever believes in him would have living water flowing from deep inside them. Some people in the crowd believed him, and they said, “This man must be the Prophet we have been waiting for!”
The people did not all agree about who Jesus was, and some were still confused. But the message was clear: Jesus invites every thirsty person to come to him. He is the one who brings life that never runs dry.
Read It Together
John 7:1
After these things, Jesus was walking in Galilee, for he wouldn’t walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus kept walking in Galilee because some people wanted to hurt him. Explain that Jesus was careful, but he was never afraid of God’s plan, and God was taking care of him the whole time.
John 7:37-38
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! 38 He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.”
(WEB)
Show children how Jesus invites everyone to come and drink. Point out the picture of living water flowing out of a person, and ask how God’s love can fill us up and then flow out to others.
John 7:46
The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this man!”
(WEB)
Tell children that the officers were so amazed by Jesus’ words that they could not arrest him. Explain that Jesus’ words are powerful and true, and they still change hearts today.
Talk About It
- What do you think it means to be thirsty for God?
- How did the people in the story feel about Jesus, and why do you think they felt that way?
- What is something that helps you feel refreshed when you are tired or hot?
- How can we invite our friends to come to Jesus?
- When you think about living water, what does it make you think about God’s love?
Activity Ideas
Living Water Painting
You will need paper, a few cups of water, and washable paints or watercolors. Let each child paint a picture of a river or fountain on the paper, using blue and green colors. As they paint, talk about how Jesus’ living water flows from inside us. Write the verse John 7:37 at the bottom so they can read it while they work.
Pass the Cup Game
Gather the children in a circle and place a paper cup of water in the center. Ask one child to pick up the cup, take a pretend sip, and say, “Jesus gives living water.” Then have them pass the cup to the next child. Keep going until everyone has had a turn. Explain that Jesus invites everyone to come and drink.
Take-Home Water Bottle
You will need a small clear bottle or jar, a few drops of blue food coloring, and a sticky note. Fill the bottle with water and add the coloring so it looks like a river. Have the child write John 7:37 on the sticky note and stick it to the bottle. Encourage them to drink from it each day and remember that Jesus invites them to come to him.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that Jesus was the center of a real debate. Some people believed him and others rejected him, and his words about living water pointed forward to the gift of the Holy Spirit that would come after his death and resurrection. Adults can see how Jesus was patient with confusion and firm about his mission.
With children, avoid overstating the details of the political and religious conflict in the chapter. Keep the focus on Jesus’ invitation to come and drink, and on the simple truth that he gives life that lasts.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that Jesus invites us to come to him when we are thirsty. Fill us up with your love and help it flow out to our friends and family. Help us trust Jesus every day and share his living water with others. Amen.
