Being God’s son means many things for Jesus, but today we will focus on His ability to do miracles. Jesus’ first miracle was to turn water into wine. This miracle opened the door for Jesus’ later life-changing miracles. Today your class will learn that Jesus can do miracles because He is God’s son.
Lesson Title: Jesus Turns Water Into Wine
Bible Reference: John 2:11
Target Age Group: Preschool
Learning Context: Children’s Church
Target Time Frame: 1 ½ hour
Bible Verse: “and His disciples believed in Him.” John 2:11b
Learning Aim: Jesus can do miracles.
Materials Needed:
- Two clear cups
- Kool-aid mix
- Play-doh
- Dramatic Play items for a wedding: veil, flowers, cup and jugs, etc.
- Clear bottle or jar for each child
- Rice
- Paint
- Strong tape
Optional: Download our Water into Wine Coloring Page (pictured above)
Related: For older children, you might use our “Jesus Turns Water into Wine” Sunday School lesson
You say the Italicized words. Non-italicized words are directions.
Bible Story: Jesus Turns Water Into Wine (John 2:1-11)
You will need two clear cups. Fill one with water. Put red Kool-aid mix in the other cup.
Say, We know that Jesus is both human and God’s son and that is amazing. Today we are going to learn one more thing about Jesus. Jesus can do miracles!
One day when Jesus was all grown up, He and His disciples were invited to a wedding. While they guests were celebrating, they ran out of drinks. Mary, Jesus’ mother found Jesus and asked Him to help. There were some stone water jugs nearby and Jesus told His disciples to fill them with water. Once the jugs were full something amazing happened.
At this point pour the water into the cup with the Kool-aid as a visual for what happened at the wedding. The water should turn red/pink when it hits the Kool-aid mix.
When the disciples took water out of the jugs it had turned to wine. Look at how our water turned red. We turned our water red by adding Kool-aid to the mix, but when Jesus turned water into wine it was a miracle. Jesus can do miracles. Once the disciples saw Jesus’ miracle, they believed that He was really God’s son.
Be Something New Memory Verse Game
No supplies needed. You will play a charades-style game to help the class learn the memory verse. Have everyone stand in an open area. Say, Jesus turned water into wine. I want you to pretend to be a ____________. You can fill in the blank with any animal or object that you want. The class will act like that animal/object. While they are acting, you will say the Bible verse, “and His disciples believed in Him.” John 2:11. When you finish saying the verse the kids have to freeze. Basically, they are acting like an animal when you are saying the verse then freezing when you are done. After a few rounds switch it and the kids say, Jesus turned water into wine. I want you to pretend to be a ________. And then say John 2:11. Make sure everyone has a turn to be the leader and say the verse.
Say, When Jesus did His first miracle, everyone knew that He was someone special. His miracle helped the disciples believe that He truly was God’s son.
Make Something New
Play with play-doh. Encourage the kids to make something new.
While you play say, We are using play-doh to make something new, but no matter what you make, you are still using play-doh. When Jesus turned the water into wine it was a miracle because the water actually turned into wine. He didn’t add Kool-aid or paint or anything to it. Jesus did a miracle and He can do miracles because He is God’s son.
Learn Through Dramatic Play
Provide items for the class to pretend that they are at the wedding. Possible items include a veil and flowers for the bride, and cups and water jugs for when Jesus performs His miracle. Let the kids play but as they do ask them to act happy to be at a wedding, sad because they ran out of drinks, and amazed at Jesus’ miracle. If possible, retell the story as they play. Continue in emphasize that Jesus can do miracles because He is God’s son.
Changing Rice Craft
You will need a clear, empty water bottle for each child, rice, paint, and tape. Let the kids fill their bottle with rice until it is ½ to ¾ full. Help them put a few drops of paint in the bottle. Put the lid on it and secure the lid with tape. Let the kids shake their bottles and watch their rice turn from white to colorful.
Say: Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine. We just changed the color of our rice but it wasn’t a miracle. Jesus can do miracles because He is God’s son. Every time you see this bottle remember that Jesus can do miracles.