Free Bible lesson for kids · He Is Risen
Breakfast by the Sea
The disciples fished all night and caught nothing. At morning Jesus told them to cast the net on the right side, and they caught 153 great fish. On the shore Jesus had a fire and breakfast ready.
- Bible passage
- John 21:1–14
- Big idea
- Jesus provides for His friends.
- Memory verse
Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
John 21:12 (KJV)- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Time
- About 45 minutes
- Included, free
- Animated story film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
The story
After Jesus rose, He showed Himself again to His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias (John 21:1). Peter and six others went fishing, but that night they caught nothing (John 21:2–3). In the morning Jesus stood on the shore, but they did not know it was Jesus. He asked if they had any food, and they answered, “No” (John 21:4–5).
Jesus said, “Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find” (John 21:6). They did, and the net was so full they could not pull it in. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved told Peter, “It is the Lord” (John 21:6–7). Peter jumped into the sea. On the shore was a fire of coals with fish on it, and bread (John 21:7–9). The net held 153 great fish, yet it did not break (John 21:11). Jesus said, “Come and dine” (John 21:12).
Read it in the Bible: John 21:1–14 (KJV)
1After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. 2There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. 3Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. 4But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. 5Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No. 6And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. 7Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. 8And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. 9As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. 10Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. 11Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. 12Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. 13Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise. 14This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
Questions to ask
Where did Jesus tell them to cast the net?
On the right side of the ship.
How many fish did they catch?
An hundred and fifty and three.
What did Jesus have ready on the shore?
A fire of coals, with fish and bread.
What this story teaches
- Jesus sees us when our hard work comes up empty (John 21:3–5).
- Obeying Jesus’ word brings great blessing (John 21:6).
- Jesus provides what His friends need (John 21:9, 13).
- Jesus serves and cares for His friends (John 21:12–13).
- The risen Jesus truly showed Himself alive to His disciples (John 21:14).
Jesus Provides What We Need
Jesus fed His disciples with fish and bread. God supplies all our needs by His riches in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
A 45-minute lesson plan
| 5 min | Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Thank Jesus for providing what we need. |
|---|---|
| 10 min | The story. Play the story film: each verse appears on screen in the King James Version while the scene plays. Pause to ask what happens next. |
| 10 min | Talk about it. Ask the three questions below. Then ask: “Jesus provides for His friends.” What does that mean for us? |
| 5 min | Memory verse. Say John 21:12 together, covering one word at a time until the children can say it alone. |
| 10 min | Activity. Younger children color the coloring page while you retell the story; older children do the class sheet (memory-verse fill-in, word search and questions). |
| 5 min | Pray and send home. Pray together and send the sheet home so families can talk about the first question this week. |
- Preschool: keep it short and physical. Act out the story, use a simple prop, and repeat the big idea in one sentence.
- Elementary: let children find the passage in their own Bibles. Ask “who, what, where” questions first, then “why.”
- Preteens: read the verses before and after the passage, and ask how this story fits the whole story of the Bible.
Game time
For kids · game · indoors · about 10 minutes
Cast on the Right Side
You need: Lots of paper fish, a pillowcase “net” for each team
- Hide every fish on the right side of the room. The left side is empty.
- Teams fish the left side first and find nothing.
- Then the leader calls, “Cast the net on the right side!” and the teams race to fill their nets. Count all the fish together.
The disciples caught nothing all night. When they did what Jesus said, they caught 153 great fish.
For youth group · activity · outdoors · about 45 minutes
Shore Breakfast
You need: A fire pit or grill and a safe adult in charge, breakfast food
- Meet early, or for breakfast-for-dinner, and cook together outside.
- While you eat, read John 21:1–14.
- Talk: Jesus made breakfast for friends who had let Him down. What does that tell you about Him?
Jesus said, “Come and dine.” He welcomes us back to His table.
Pray
Thank Jesus for providing what we need.