John 7
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
There was a big party in the city. It was called the Feast of Booths. Everyone made little huts and celebrated. It was a happy time.
Jesus was walking far away, in Galilee. His brothers came to Him. They said, "Jesus, go to the party! Then everyone can see You." But His brothers did not really believe in Him. That was sad.
Jesus said, "Not yet. I will come later."
And so His brothers left. After a while, Jesus went too. But very quietly. Nobody could see Him yet.
At the party, people whispered. "Where is Jesus?" someone asked. "He is a good man!" said one. "No, no!" said another. They were all whispering about Jesus.
Then, right in the middle of the party, Jesus walked into the temple. That was God's big house. And Jesus began to teach. He talked about God. The people listened with big eyes. "How does He know so much?" they said. "He never went to school!"
Jesus said, "What I say, I heard from My Father in heaven."
What Does This Mean?
The last day of the party came. That was the biggest day. The people were thirsty from the sun. Then Jesus stood up. He called out loud, so everyone could hear:
"Are you thirsty? Come to Me! Come and drink!"
Jesus did not mean water in a cup. Jesus meant something deep inside your heart. Sometimes your heart is thirsty too. Then you need Jesus.
The Common Thread
Do you know what Jesus said? He said, "In your heart, water will flow. Nice, cool water. Living water!" That means: when you come to Jesus, He fills your heart. He gives you His Spirit. Then your heart is happy and full.
Jesus is like a big spring of water. He never runs dry. You can always come to Him. Every day.
For You
Sometimes you are thirsty. Then you drink from a cup. Slurp, slurp. Ahh, that is good!
But your heart can be thirsty too. Sometimes you feel sad. Or scared. Or alone. Then your heart says, "I need something."
Do you know what? Then you can go to Jesus. You can say, "Jesus, I am here." He hears you. He fills your heart. Just like water in an empty cup.
Jesus is always there. In the morning. In the evening. When you are laughing. When you are crying. Always.
Talk About It
Have you ever been really thirsty? What did you drink then?
Jesus says: come to Me. How could you come to Jesus today?
Praying Together
Dear Jesus,
Thank You that You are like water. My heart wants to come to You. Fill my heart, please. I love You.
Amen.
Questions about John 7
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is John 7 about?
What does John 7 say?
What does John 7 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from John 7?
Why is John 7 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him." Notice what they listened to. Not Jesus. The crowd. They monitored the buzz around him and never heard the voice at the center of it. It is possible to be very informed about Jesus and still never listen to him. What are you actually hearing, the talk, or him?
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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