2026-04-12 Jesus Calls Sinners

Introduction

In this lesson, children will discover that Jesus chose ordinary, helpless sinners to be His friends. He didn't go looking for the smartest, strongest, or most popular people. Instead, He called fishermen: ordinary, smelly, dirty-handed workers who had nothing special to offer. Through the story of Jesus calling Simon Peter and his friends (Luke 5:1-11), children will learn that Jesus doesn't need our help, but He lovingly chooses to save weak and helpless sinners. This is the greatestmost teacherhopeful news of all.all: Heyou didn'don't use big, complicated words that only scholars could understand. Instead, He used simple stories called parables, along with everyday pictures and actions,have to teachbe good enough, because Jesus came for people about God. Through the Parable of the Sower, children will discover that not everyone responds to Jesus' teaching the same way. Jesus' true friends are those who listen,know believe,they andneed obey His words.Him.

Main Ideas:

• Teacher:Glory: Jesus revealsdisplays the truthgreatness aboutand worth of God throughby words, pictures,choosing and actionssaving that everyone can understand.sinners.
• Understanding:Choice: Jesus giveschooses understandingsinners to simplebe sinners,His friends, not justbecause smartHe orneeds importantthem, people.but because they need Him.
• Response:Power: Jesus'Jesus trueis friendsall-powerful. (disciples)Nothing areis thosetoo hard for Him.
• Hope: Jesus came to save helpless sinners who respondknow inthey faithcannot demonstratedfix throughtheir obedience.own hearts.

Praise and Worship (15 mins)

Parents: The parent and child scheduled for this week will lead us in singing on Sunday. Please take time to practice the songs together at home, helping your child feel confident and joyful as they prepare to lead.

Prayer and Offering (5 mins)

Parents: Please encourage your children to bring an offering to church. You may help your child prepare by setting aside a coin for them to bring on Sunday. This is a great opportunity to teach them about giving to God with a thankful heart and trusting Him to provide.

What is Offering?

Offering is when we give something to God to show our love and thankfulness. In church, we often give money as an offering, but we can also give our time, talents, and kindness to God and others.

Why Do We Make an Offering?

To Thank God – Everything we have comes from God! Giving back is a way to say, “Thank You, God!”
To Trust God – When we give, we show that we trust God to take care of us.
To Help Others – Offerings help the church teach about Jesus, help people in need, and share God’s love.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:7,
"God loves a cheerful giver!" That means God is happy when we give with a joyful heart!

Prayer for Offering

Dear God, thank You for giving us everything we need. We want to give back to You with joyful hearts. Please use our offering to help others and share Your love. Help us to always trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Review Verse from Last Week

LukeJohn 4:18a8:31b

"[Jesus said,] 'TheIf Spirityou ofabide thein Lordmy isword, uponyou me,are becausetruly hemy has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.disciples.'"

Bible Story (10 min)

Introduction (2 min)

Props Needed:

• ATwo smallbaseball claybats (or hockey sticks, badminton rackets, or plasticany potsports with potting soilequipment)
• A handfultoy fishing net or piece of beanfabric seedsmesh
• A fewpiece rocks
of
• Sticksdark cloth or twigsa dirty rag (to represent thorns/weeds)a fisherman's rough clothing)
• A small artificialpicture or toy fish (or a real plantfish from the grocery store in a potbag for dramatic effect!)
• Darkened Heart visual (thefrom "happyprevious plant")lessons)

 

(KeepHold allup the itemstwo hiddenbaseball inbats aor bag.sports Don'tequipment. showChoose themone yet.adult helper and one child to come to the front.)

Teacher: "IOK brought a mystery bag today! But first,everyone, I need your help! Let's pretend we're going to teachplay you something. Listen carefully..."

Teacher: (speaking in a silly, overly fancy voice) "Todaybaseball. I shallget demonstrateto thepick depositingONE ofmore organicperson mediumfor intomy an earthen receptacle!team."

(MakeHand a funny confused face. Wait for kidsbat to giggle.the adult and a bat to the child.)

Teacher: "Whaaaat?Now, Did[adult's thatname] makeis ANYreally sense?big and strong and can hit the ball super far. [Child's name] is still learning. If I want to WIN the game, who should I pick?"

(LetWait childrenfor respond,kids they'to answer. They'll likely say no!the adult.)

Teacher: "OK,Right! letIf meyou trywant again!to win, you'd pick the strongest player. But how would it feel to be the one left out? To hear, 'Sorry, you're not good enough'?"

Interaction: "Make a sad face. 😢 Have you ever been left out? That doesn't feel good."

Teacher: "Now, here's a big question: When Jesus picked His special friends, did He go looking for the strongest, smartest, most popular people?"

(PullPause out the pot, soil, and seeds.dramatically.)

Teacher: "I'mLet's goingfind to...out put dirt in a pot and plant seeds! Much better, right?"

Interaction: "Thumbs up if simple words are easier! 👍"

Teacher: "You know what? Jesus isfrom the BEST teacher ever. He didn't use big, confusing words. He told simple stories so that everyone, even kids like you, could learn about God!Bible!"

Story Telling: TheJesus ParableCalls ofHis theFirst SowerDisciples (8 min)

Props / Visuals Suggested:

• PotFishing withnet soil,or seeds,mesh rocks,fabric, sticks/twigs,dark healthycloth/dirty plantrag, toy fish
• Darkened Heart visual

 

Part 1: JesusA TellsFisherman aNamed StorySimon (2 mins)

Teacher: "Last weektime we learned that Jesus told everyone: 'I amis the onebest Godteacher sentever. He uses simple stories to saveteach you!' Then Jesus started going from town to town, teaching peopleus about God. Today we're going to meet someone named Simon Peter."

(Hold up the dark cloth/dirty rag.)

Teacher: "Simon Peter was a fisherman. Does anyone know what a fisherman does?"

(Wait for answers.)

Teacher: "That's right! He catches fish! But being a fisherman wasn't a fancy job. Fishermen got up really early, worked really hard, and came home smelling like..."

Interaction: "Everyone hold your nose! Pee-yew! 🐟 Fishermen were smelly!"

Teacher: "Fishermen weren't rich. They weren't famous. Nobody looked at them and said, 'Wow, what an important person!' They were just ordinary, regular people."

Teacher: "One day, Jesus was by a BIGbig lake and a huge crowd came to listenhear Him teach. Jesus saw two boats by the shore. He got into Simon Peter's boat and asked Simon to Jesus.push Andit out into the water a little bit. Then Jesus toldsat themdown aand story about... a farmer!"

(Hold up some seeds.)

Teacher: "The farmer went out to throw seeds ontaught the ground.crowd Butfrom the seeds landed in FOUR different places. Let's find out what happened!boat!"

Interaction: "CanEveryone everyone hold out your hand likepretend you're throwingrowing seeds?a Toss,boat! toss,Row, toss!row, 🌱row!"

 

Part 2: FourThe PlacesAmazing theCatch Seedsof FellFish (43 mins)

Teacher: "🚶After Jesus finished teaching, He said something surprising to Simon Peter. He said: 'Push your boat out to the deep water and put your nets down to catch some fish.'"

PlaceTeacher: 1:"Now, TheSimon HardPeter Path.was tired. He had been fishing ALL night long and hadn't caught a single fish. Not even one tiny little fish!"

Interaction: "Hold up ZERO fingers. Zero fish! After working all night!"

Teacher: "But Simon Peter said something important. He said: 'Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing. But because YOU say so, I will put the nets down.'"

Teacher: "Did you hear that? Even though he was tired and hadn't caught anything, Simon obeyed Jesus. He trusted that Jesus knew something he didn't."

Interaction: "Everyone pretend to throw a big fishing net! Heave... ho! Splash!"

(Pack down some soil inToss the potnet/mesh tofabric makeout it hard, drop a seed on top.dramatically.)

Teacher: "Some seeds fell on the hard road. The ground was so hard the seeds just sat on top. Then the birds came and... ATE them up!"

Interaction: "Flap your arms like birds! Chomp chomp chomp! 🐦"

Teacher: "Jesus said this is like a person who hears about God but says: 'Nope! I don't want to listen!' God's words just bounce right off."

Interaction: "Cover your ears and shake your head! That's what this person does."

 

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Teacher: "🪨 Place 2: The Rocky Ground."

(Put rocks in the pot, drop a seed among them.)

Teacher: "Some seeds fell on rocky ground. A tiny plant started to grow, but when the hot sun came out... the plant dried up! The rocks were in the way. The plant couldn't grow big roots."

Interaction: "Stand up tall like a little plant... now melt down to the ground like you're drying up in the hot sun! ☀️"

Teacher: "Jesus said this is like a person who says 'Yay, Jesus!' at first, but when things get hard, they give up. They stop trusting Jesus."

 

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Teacher: "🌿 Place 3: The Thorny Weeds."

(Stick the twigs into the soil, drop a seed nearby.)

Teacher: "Some seeds fell near weeds and thorns. The plant tried to grow, but the weeds squeezed it and stole all the water! The poor plant couldn't make it."

Interaction: "Squeeze your arms together tight like weeds! Squeeeeeze! The plant can't breathe!"

Teacher: "Jesus said this is like a person who likes Jesus but gets too busy with other things. They care more about toys and games than about God."

 

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Teacher: "🌻 Place 4: The Good Soil!"

(Place a seed in fresh, loose soil. Then bring out the healthy plant!)

Teacher: "But SOME seeds fell on good, soft soil. And guess what happened? The seednets grewfilled bigup roots,with grewSO tall,MANY FISH that the nets started to BREAK! There were so many fish that Simon had to call his friends James and becameJohn ato strong,bring healthyanother plantboat. withAnd lotsBOTH boats were so full of fruit!fish they almost sank!"

Interaction: "Crouch down smallWiggle like a seed...fish! nowWiggle GROW!wiggle Standwiggle! upThere tall,are stretchfish your arms out wide like branches! 🌳EVERYWHERE!"

Teacher: "Who made all those fish swim into the net? Was it Simon Peter's fishing skills? No! It was JESUS. Jesus said this is like a person who hears about God, believes it in their heart, and obeys.He Theiris loveall-powerful. Nothing is too hard for Jesus grows and grows and grows!Him!"

 

Part 3: WhichSimon OnePeter's DoResponse You(1.5 Wantmins)

Teacher: "When Simon Peter saw all those fish, do you think he said: 'Wow, look how great I am!'?"

(Wait for kids to Be?say no.)

Teacher: "No! Simon Peter fell down on his knees in front of Jesus."

Interaction: "Everyone drop to your knees like Simon Peter!"

Teacher: "And he said: 'Go away from me, Lord. I am a sinful man!' Simon Peter wasn't proud. He knew that standing next to Jesus, the perfect Son of God, he was just a weak, helpless sinner."

(Hold up the Darkened Heart visual.)

Teacher: "Simon Peter had a darkened heart, just like all of us. He couldn't fix it by himself. He wasn't smart enough, strong enough, or good enough to fix his own heart. He knew he needed help."

Teacher: "And what did Jesus say to this smelly, ordinary, sinful fisherman? Did Jesus say, 'You're right, go away'?"

(Wait for kids to respond.)

Teacher: "No! Jesus said: 'Don't be afraid. From now on, you will be catching people!' Jesus was saying: 'Come with Me! I'm choosing YOU to be My friend!'"

 

Part 4: Why Did Jesus Choose Sinners? (21.5 mins)

Teacher: "So Simon Peter, James, and John left everything behind. Their boats, their fish, their jobs. They followed Jesus!"

Interaction: "Stand up! Now take a big step forward, like you're following Jesus! One step, two steps, three steps!"

Teacher: "But wait. Why did Jesus choose these ordinary fishermen? Did Jesus NEED their help? Was His job too hard for Him to do alone?"

(Wait for kids to answer. Shake your head.)

Teacher: "No! Jesus is GOD. Nothing is too hard for Him. He didn't need helpers. Jesus chose Simon Peter and the seedsothers, not because of what they could do for HIM, but because of what HE could do for THEM."

Teacher: "Jesus was saying: 'I know you are God'sweak. wordsI aboutknow Jesus. And the four places? Thoseyou are fourhelpless. kindsI know you can't fix your sinful heart. That's exactly why I came! I love you, and I am able to save you!'"

Interaction: "Point to yourself. Jesus says: 'I came for YOU.' Point to your friend. 'And YOU.' Point to everyone. 'And ALL of people!us!'"

Teacher: "Let's remember themthis together.with I'll say it, and you do the action!actions!"

• Teacher: "HardJesus path?doesn't need..." (Kids coverflex earsmuscles and shake heads.) "Doesn't...strong listen!helpers!"
• Teacher: "RockyJesus ground?doesn't need..." (Kids standpoint upto thentheir meltheads down.and shake heads.) "Gives...smart up!helpers!"
• Teacher: "ThornyJesus weeds?CHOOSES..." (Kids squeezepoint arms.to themselves.) "Too...helpless busy for God!sinners!"
• Teacher: "GoodBecause soil?HE..." (Kids crouchpoint thenup standto tall.heaven.) "Listens,...can believes,save and obeys!us!"

Teacher: "Which one does Jesus want us to be?"

(Wait for kids to answer: Good soil!)

Teacher: "Yes! Jesus wants us to listen to Him, believe Him, and obey Him. That's how we become Jesus' true friends!"

Interaction: "Can you say it with me? 'Listen! Believe! Obey!' One more time, louder! 'LISTEN! BELIEVE! OBEY!'"

• "Jesus doesn't need strong helpers!" (Flex and shake.)
• "Jesus doesn't need smart helpers!" (Point to head and shake.)
• "Jesus CHOOSES helpless sinners!" (Point to self.)
• "Because HE can save us!" (Point up.)

Wrap-up & Discussion (4 min)

 

(Gather children close for reflection.)

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Discussion Questions:

Teacher: "Let's think about what we learned today."

Question: "WhyWhat kind of people did Jesus use simple storieschoose to teachbe peopleHis insteadfriends? ofWere big,they complicatedrich words?and important?"

(Because

Teacher HeKey: wantedNo! everyoneThey towere understand,ordinary fishermen. Smelly, not justrich, reallynot smartfamous. people.They Jesuswere came to save ALLhelpless sinners.)

Question: "InDid theJesus storyneed Simon Peter's help to do His big job of thesaving Sower,sinners?"

what

Teacher doesKey: theNo. seedJesus represent?"is (God'God and He is all-powerful. He doesn't need anyone's Word,help. theHe truthchose aboutthem Jesus.)because THEY needed HIM.

Question: "What kinddid ofSimon soilPeter doesdo Jesuswhen wanthe ussaw toall be?those fish? Why did he fall on his knees?" (The good soil! People who listen, believe, and obey.)

QuestionTeacher (AgeKey: 7-10):He knew he was a sinful man standing in front of the perfect Son of God. He humbly admitted his sin.

Question: "IsDo ityou easyhave to be good, strong, or smart before you can be a friend of Jesus?"

Teacher Key: No! Jesus came for sinnersweak, to obey Jesus? Why not? Who can help us want to obey?" (No, it's not easy because we arehelpless sinners. ButHe Godwants canpeople helpwho usknow throughthey Hisneed HolyHim. Spirit.)That is the best news of all!

Teacher: "Remember: youYou don't have to be superthe smartbest orat know big wordsanything to understandbe Jesus.Jesus' Hefriend. wantsYou don't have to teach YOU. The question is: will you listen, believe, and obey? Will you be the goodsmartest soil?kid in school, or the fastest runner, or the one with the most friends. Jesus says: 'I came for you, just as you are. I know you need help, and I love you!'"

Closing Thought & Prayer

 

Teacher: "JesusThis is the bestmost teacherwonderful whonews everfor lived.all of us. Jesus doesn't wait for us to be good enough. He uses stories, pictures, and actionscomes to help us know God. And He is so patient with us! Even when we don'tare understandweak rightand away,helpless Heand keepssays: teaching'Follow us.Me. I will save you.' What aan wonderfulamazing, Saviorloving we have!Savior!"

(Fold hands and bow heads.)

Prayer: "Dear Jesus, thank You for beingchoosing suchsinners ato goodbe andYour patient teacher.friends. Thank You that we don't have to be strong, smart, or perfect. Thank You that You came for using simple wordsweak and storieshelpless sopeople thatlike even children can understand Your truth.us. Help us to be like theSimon good soil. Help usPeter: to listenknow towe You, believeneed You, and obeyto You.follow MakeYou with all our faith grow deep and strong.hearts. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Memorizing Verse: JohnLuke 8:31b5:32

 

JohnLuke 8:31b5:32

"[Jesus said,] 'If"I youhave abidenot income myto word,call youthe arerighteous trulybut mysinners disciples,'to repentance."

Hand Gestures:

• "IfI youhave abide.not come...": HugShake yourselfyour (stayinghead close,and abiding).
wave
• "...in my word...": Holdyour hands openside liketo a bookside (thesaying Bible).
"no,
• "...you are truly...": Give a big thumbs up (truly,not for real!that reason").
• "...myto disciples.call the righteous...": PointStand up tall and proud, flex your muscles like a strong person (the "righteous" who think they don't need help).
• "...but sinners...": Drop your shoulders, look down, and point to yourself andhumbly then(that's us, sinners who need Jesus).
• "...to friendsrepentance.": Turn your whole body around youin a circle (werepentance aremeans Histurning disciples/friends)away from sin and turning toward God).

Craft & Game (10 mins)

Game: "LookingJesus forCalls GoodSinners" Soil"Missing TreasureWord HuntGame

Children hunttake forturns hidden seedpicking cards andto identifyfind whichthe typeright ofword soilthat eachcompletes onethe represents.memory verse.

⏰ Time: 5 minutes

👧 Age Group: 4-86 years

🧩 Lesson Connection: Reinforces thethat fourJesus typescame ofto soilcall andSINNERS, helpsnot childrenpeople identifywho thethink "they are already good soil" response.enough.

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🪜 Setup & Materials Needed:

• 4A smallwhiteboard plasticor cupslarge withpiece pottingof soil insidepaper
• 4Markers
seed
• 6 word cards (eachface showingdown): one"Good typePeople," of"Smart soil:People," path,"Kind rocky,People," thorny,"Strong good),People," taped"Nice toPeople," craft sticks and inserted into the cups
• Hide the cups around the classroom before the game"Sinners"

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🎲 How to Play:

Step 1: TellWrite the children:memory "I'veverse hidden four seed cups aroundon the room.board Each one showswith a differentblank: type"[Jesus ofsaid,] soil'I fromhave ournot story. Your job iscome to findcall them!the righteous but _______ to repentance.' (Luke 5:32)"

Step 2: WhenPlace the 6 word cards face down on a childtable. findsMix athem cup, they bring it to the front and the group identifies which soil it represents.up.

Step 3: One child picks a card. Read the verse with that word filling the blank. For example: "I have not come to call the righteous but SMART PEOPLE to repentance." Ask: "Is thisthat oneright?"

Step 4: If wrong, put it aside and let the goodnext soil?"child pick. If yes,correct ("Sinners"), everyone cheers and says the memoryfull verse together!

Step 4:5: HaveAfter children close their eyes, hidefinding the cupsright again,word, ask: "Why did Jesus say 'sinners' and repeat.not 'good people' or 'strong people'?" (Because Jesus came for people who know they need help!)

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Craft: Seed"Jesus andChose SoilMe!" PictureFishing Boat

Children createmake a picturesimple showingpaper thefishing four types of soilboat to take home.home as a reminder that Jesus calls ordinary people.

Materials: PaperHalf dividedsheet intoof 4blue sectionsconstruction paper (labeled:the Path, Rocks, Thorns, Good Soil)sea), reala seedspre-cut boat shape from brown paper, small paper fish shapes, glue sticks, crayons or grainmarkers, (e.g.,the oats,memory wheat),verse glue,printed markerson orsmall crayons.strips of paper.

The Activity:

• SectionStep 1 (Path):1: ColorGlue the groundbrown brown/greyboat andshape draw a bird eatingonto the seed.blue Gluepaper a(the few seeds on top.sea).
• SectionStep 2 (Rocks):2: Draw rocksstick figures of Simon Peter, James, and a small wilted plant. Glue seeds among drawn rocks.
• Section 3 (Thorns): Draw thorny weeds and a small choked plant. Glue seeds among the weeds.
• Section 4 (Good Soil): Draw rich brown soil and a big, healthy plant with fruit. Glue seedsJohn in the soil.boat.
• Step 3: Glue lots of little fish shapes around and below the boat (the miraculous catch!).
• Step 4: Write or glue the memory verse below:strip at the bottom: "IfI youhave abidenot income myto word,call youthe arerighteous trulybut mysinners disciples.to repentance." (JohnLuke 8:31b)5:32)
• Step 5: On the back, children can write or draw: "Jesus chose ME to be His friend!"
• Take Home: Children can show their family the four soilsboat and explain what each one means, teaching their parentstell the parable!story of how Jesus called ordinary fishermen to follow Him. Ask: "Did Jesus need strong, smart helpers? No! He chose weak sinners because HE can save them!"

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Response Song

Closing Prayer & Snack Time (10 mins)

"Dear Jesus, thank You for teachingcalling ussinners throughto storiesbe weYour can understand.friends. Thank You for being patient with us whenthat we don't gethave itto rightbe away.perfect or strong or important. You love us just as we are, and You are powerful enough to save us. Help us to bealways likeremember thethat goodwe soil,need to let Your words grow deep in our hearts. We love You!You. Amen."

Now, let us thank You for the snack we’re about to enjoy.
We fold our hands.
We bow our heads.
We thank You, God,
for this daily bread.
Amen.

Free Time & Children Pickup (15 mins)