YEA Lesson Library
Gone Fishing!
About This Lesson
This lesson teaches how Jesus called Peter and Andrew as His disciples.
Scriptures
Jeremiah 16:16 (NIrV)
Matthew 4:18-22
Matthew 4:19
Matthew 28:19
Luke 5:1-11
Luke 9:2
John 21:17
Acts 10:42
1 Corinthians 9:16
Words to Know
CAST - to throw out a fish net or line
FOLLOW - to do what someone asks you to do
NET - something used to catch fish in
SEA OF GALILEE - a large lake close to where Jesus lived
The Lesson
One day Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee. He saw a boat in the water. Two men were fishing from the boat. Simon and Andrew had fished all night and caught nothing. Not even one little fish! They were very tired and very sad.
Jesus told them to take their boat into the deep water. Simon and Andrew loved Jesus. They wanted to do what He told them to do. So, they started rowing.
They threw their net in the water. Splash! Can you guess what happened? Many, many fish swam into the net! They pulled and pulled on the net. It was really heavy. Jesus was so great that even the fish obeyed Him. They swam into the net. Fish were flopping out of the net. Simon and Andrew shouted for their friends, James and John, to come and help them.
Jesus had a better job for Simon and Andrew to do. He wanted them to be fishers of men instead of fishers of fish! Simon and Andrew began to follow Jesus. They told people how much Jesus
loved them. They said that they should love Jesus, too.
You can follow Jesus and be a fisher of men. You should do what He tells you in His Word, the Bible. Can you think of some things that Jesus wants you to do?
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Luke 5:11
Monday - Luke 9:2
Tuesday - Acts 10:42
Wednesday - Matthew 28:19
Thursday - John 21:17
Friday - Jeremiah 16:16 (NIrV)
Saturday - 1 Corinthians 9:16
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the children will be able to:
1. Describe how Jesus’ disciples caught fish.
2. State that Jesus needs helpers to tell people about God.
3. Tell how they can be Jesus’ helpers.
Topics & Themes
Disciples
Disciples, Calling Of
Fish
Harvest
Jesus, His Miracles
Miraculous Catch
Obedience
Sea of Galilee
Sharing the Gospel
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA Students’ and Teacher’s books, attendance and memory verse charts, stars, songbook, CD or cassette tape, music player, crayons, string, clip-style clothes pins, short sticks (not pointed), assortment of prizes (erasers, stickers, candy, etc.), large cardboard box, blocks, clay, puzzles
Preparation
Preschoolers are fascinating little people who are endlessly curious. They learn through their senses – by experiencing the touch, texture, taste, smell, and sounds of the things around them. To maximize this type of learning, allow the children to experience a fishing trip by using a large cardboard box for their “boat.” They can catch fish with their own “fishing rod.”
Before you come to class, remove the top flaps and one side of a very large cardboard box, leaving three sides and the bottom of the box. (For large classes, a refrigerator box works well.) Draw waves on the sides of the box, leaving the coloring for the children to finish. Make fishing rods by attaching string to the sticks and clothes pins to the other end of the string. Cut out fish shapes from construction paper (You will need enough for each child to have one, and some for the “boat.”)
Greet each child warmly as he or she arrives. Take them to the table to play with the blocks, puzzles, or clay until they reach their comfort level in class. Let them say their memory verse and give each one a star to put on the attendance chart.
Review Questions
Give each child a fishing rod. Tell them to throw their string over the side of the “boat.” As they answer one of the review questions, clip a fish and a surprise to the clothes pin and tug on their line. Tell them they have a fish and to pull in their line.
1. What was Simon’s brother’s name?
2. What did Simon use to catch fish?
3. How did Simon and Andrew get out into the deep water to catch fish?
4. What happened when Jesus told Simon to put his net into the water?
5. Who were the two men who helped Simon and Andrew pull in their net?
6. Who did Simon and Andrew follow when they got their boat to shore?
7. Who would you like to follow?
8. What does it mean to “fish for men?”
REACH Activity
Letter: F
Words: follow, fishing, fishers, fish, friends
Sentence:
SIMON AND ANDREW, THE FISHERMEN, WERE FISHING FROM THE BOAT. THE FISH WERE FLOPPING OUT OF THE NET. FOLLOW JESUS AND BECOME A FISHER OF MEN.
Song
“I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” is on page 23 of the Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Lead the children in prayer thanking God for these children. Asking Him to make them like Him and to fish for men.
Printable Pages
