John 21
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
The sea was big and blue. All night long, Peter and his friends were fishing. They threw the net. They pulled the net. Nothing. Not one fish.
The sun came up. Golden and warm. On the beach stood a man. The friends did not know who he was.
"Children," the man called, "did you catch any fish?"
"No," they called back. "Not one."
"Throw your net on the other side," the man said.
So they did. And then, so many fish! The net was so full, so heavy, they could not pull it in.
John looked at the man on the beach. He looked again. "It's the Lord!" he said. "It's Jesus!"
Peter did not wait. Splash! He jumped right into the water. He swam to shore, to Jesus.
What Does This Mean?
On the beach, a fire was burning. Warm and crackling. Jesus had bread there. He had fish too.
"Come and eat breakfast," Jesus said.
They sat down together. Jesus gave them bread with his own hands. He gave them fish too. It smelled so good. Smoky and warm.
Jesus was alive. Really alive. He was not a ghost. He could make a fire. He could hold bread. He could eat with his friends.
The Common Thread
After they ate, Jesus looked at Peter.
"Peter, do you love me?" Jesus asked.
"Yes, Lord," said Peter. "You know I love you."
Jesus asked again. "Peter, do you love me?"
"Yes, Lord. You know I love you."
A third time Jesus asked. Peter felt sad now. But he said it again, "Lord, you know everything. You know I love you."
Every time Peter said yes, Jesus gave him something to do. "Feed my lambs," he said. "Take care of my sheep."
Peter had once said he did not know Jesus. Three times he said it. Now Jesus asked him three times, do you love me. Jesus was not angry. Jesus gave Peter a new job. A good job. Jesus still wanted Peter close to him.
Then Jesus said two more words. "Follow me."
For You
Jesus still asks that question today. To you too. "Do you love me?"
You can answer, just like Peter. You can say, "Yes, Lord. I love you."
And Jesus gives you something to do too. Small things. Kind things. Like sharing your bread. Like being gentle with someone small.
Jesus says to you, just like to Peter: "Follow me."
Talk About It
Peter jumped into the water when he saw Jesus. What would you do if you saw Jesus on the beach?
Jesus asked Peter three times, "Do you love me?" What would you say to Jesus?
Praying Together
Dear Jesus, Thank you for the fish and the bread. Thank you that you are alive. I love you too. Help me follow you. Amen.
Questions about John 21
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is John 21 about?
What does John 21 say?
What does John 21 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from John 21?
Why is John 21 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Peter dove in. The others stayed with the boat, "dragging the net full of fish." Only about a hundred yards, but somebody had to bring the catch in. Not every love looks like a leap. Some of it looks like holding the rope, finishing the haul, arriving wet and tired but arriving. Jesus was waiting for them too.
This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples, after he had risen from the dead." John counted. Not once, not twice. Jesus kept coming back to people who kept drifting back to their old boats. He does not appear once and expect you to have it figured out. How many times has he already come to you?
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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