Free Bible lesson for kids · Ministry Begins
Water into Wine
At a wedding in Cana, the wine ran out. Mary told the servants to do whatever Jesus said. Jesus had them fill six waterpots with water, and it became the best wine.
- Bible passage
- John 2:1–11
- Big idea
- Jesus can do what no one else can.
- Memory verse
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
John 2:5 (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
Jesus, His mother and His disciples were at a wedding in Cana of Galilee (John 2:1–2). When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother told Him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said His hour had not yet come (John 2:3–4). Then she told the servants, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it” (John 2:5). Six large stone waterpots stood nearby (John 2:6).
Jesus told the servants, “Fill the waterpots with water,” and they filled them to the brim (John 2:7). Then He said, “Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast” (John 2:8). The ruler of the feast tasted it, and the water had become wine! The ruler did not know where it came from, but the servants who drew the water knew (John 2:9). He told the bridegroom he had “kept the good wine until now” (John 2:10). This first miracle showed Jesus’ glory, and His disciples believed on Him (John 2:11).
Read it in the Bible: John 2:1–11 (KJV)
1And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: 2And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 6And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. 7Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 9When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
Questions to ask
Where was the wedding?
In Cana of Galilee.
What did Jesus tell the servants to fill?
Six waterpots of stone, with water.
What did this first miracle show?
His glory, and His disciples believed on Him.
What this story teaches
- Jesus has power to do what no one else can (John 2:9–11).
- We should do whatever Jesus tells us to do (John 2:5).
- Jesus cares about everyday needs, big and small (John 2:3, 7).
- Jesus gives good gifts, better than we expect (John 2:10).
- Jesus’ miracles show His glory so that we believe (John 2:11).
Jesus Shows His Glory
Jesus’ miracles were written down so that we would believe He is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life in His name.
John 20:31
A 45-minute lesson plan
| 5 min | Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Ask God to help us do whatever Jesus says. |
|---|---|
| 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 can do what no one else can.” What does that mean for us? |
| 5 min | Memory verse. Say John 2:5 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 · outdoors · about 12 minutes
Fill the Waterpots
You need: A bucket of water, sponges, a clear jar for each team with a line drawn near the top
- Teams soak a sponge, run it to their jar and squeeze it in.
- The first team to fill its jar to the line wins.
- Surprise: a leader adds a drop of red food coloring to the winning jar.
Mary told the servants, “Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.” They obeyed, and Jesus did His first miracle.
For youth group · game · indoors · about 12 minutes
Six Waterpots Challenge
You need: Six cups set in a triangle, ping-pong balls, a question card under each cup
- Teams take turns bouncing a ping-pong ball into the cups from behind a line.
- Land in a cup and answer the question under it to keep it. Miss the question and the cup stays.
- The team with the most cups wins.
Jesus saved the best for last at the wedding, and He still turns ordinary things into something good.
Pray
Ask God to help us do whatever Jesus says.