Lesson Objective:
Children will learn that following Jesus means telling others about him.
Scripture:
Mark 1:16-18
Arrival:
As the children arrive, greet them and show them to the singing area of the classroom. Spend some time singing with them. Use songs that help them to get their energy out, such as “I’m in the Lord’s Army.” Ask for some favorites, and then close by singing “I Will Make You Fishers of Men.”
Prayer Time:
Take the time to ask the children if they have any prayer request. Write these down, and pray for them. Remember to ask the Lord to help you as you teach.
Lesson:
Ask the children if they have ever gone fishing. Allow some volunteers to tell stories about fishing trips they took. Ask them if they know of any fishermen in the Bible (the disciples). Talk about how the disciples left everything, including their fishing boats, to follow Jesus. Ask the children if they thought that was easy or hard (there is no right or wrong answer to this question. It simply gives you the chance to see where the children are in their understanding of following Christ).
Tell the children that Jesus told the disciples something strange when He asked them to follow Him. Read Mark 1:16-18. Paint a picture for them using words about the disciples working hard to fish, when suddenly this man walks up and tells them to start “fishing for men.” Imagine how confused they were! Ask them how they think someone could “fish for men.”
Talk about fishing. How do you catch the fish? (with bait) Does the fish want to be caught? (no) Who makes the decision to try to catch the fish, the fish or the fisherman? (fisherman).
Tell the children that when Jesus said we were to be fishers of men, He was talking about “catching” people and bringing them to Him. Connect this to real fishing. The “bait” is the opportunity to know Christ and spend eternity with Him in heaven. Most people, however, do not want to be “caught” by Christianity. We, as the fishermen, must make the decision to go “fishing.”
Game:
Make a fishing game for the children to play. Print this fish template (http://www.coloring.ws/animals/fish/3.gif), and color one fish for every word in Mark 1:17 (depending on what version you are using). Write each word on one fish in big, black letters and color the fish. Then, attach a paperclip to the fish’s mouth. Make a fishing pole with a stick, string, and a magnet on the end of the string. Place the fish on the floor behind a barrier, and allow the children to “fish” for them. If you have more children than words, make some blank fish so every child can have a turn.
Memory Verse:
Have the children arrange the fish in the right order. Then, have them read the verse. Pick one child at a time to remove a word (fish) and then repeat the quoting of the verse. Continue this until all of the words are gone.
Craft Time:
Have the children decorate their own fish. Visit this link (http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/fish.html) for ideas you can use.
Dismissal:
Ask the children questions about the lesson:
· Which disciples did Jesus find fishing by the sea?
· What did he ask them to do?
· What did the disciples do?
· What does it mean to be “fishers of men”?
· How can you be a fisher of men today?
Pray with the children and dismiss them.
