57. Jesus Turns Water into Wine
Background Scripture (read 2-3 times during the week)
Story Summary
This is a short story and is best read directly from the scripture. This is widely recognized as the first miracle Jesus performed as he began his ministry. Also, it is important to note to the students that wedding feasts in this culture were not like the wedding receptions we have today that just last for a couple of hours. These feasts lasted for days and days, and it would have been very embarrassing for a host to not have enough wine to serve the guests for the entire length of the feast.
What You Will Need
- Snack Suggestion
- wedding cake, red grape juice and/or grapes
Video Options
From Saddleback Kids
From Crossroads Kids. This video includes this miracle as part of a story about how Jesus was like us and wanted to celebrate when there was something to celebrate.
Resource Sheet
This coloring sheet depicts Jesus at the wedding at Cana, where he performed his first public miracle.
1. Warm Up get your kids talking and engaged
Have you ever been to a wedding? Do you remember what you had for a drink there?
Today, we are going to learn about the first miracle that Jesus did when he began his ministry, and it happened when the hosts of a wedding feast ran out of drink to serve their guests!
2. Teach the Story teach a holistic story
Read story from a Children's storybook Bible for younger children.
For older children, read the story from an age-appropriate Children's storybook Bible or read directly from the Bible.
3. Bible Mastery give them basic Bible skills
Scripture for Kids to Read Aloud: John 2:1-11
4. Comprehension Questions make sure they understand the story
First, ask the children if they have any questions about the story. What to do if you don't know the answer?
- What was the occasion for the party Jesus was at? (a wedding)
- Where did this take place? (Cana, in Galilee)
- What happened at the party that caused Mary, Jesus' mother, to be concerned? (the host of the wedding ran out of wine to serve the guests)
- What did she do about it? (she asked Jesus to help)
- What did Jesus tell the servants to do? (get the six stone water jars that were nearby, ones the Jews used for ceremonial washing, and fill them with water)
- What did Jesus do to the water in the stone jars? (he turned the water into wine)
- Why was the master of the banquet impressed? (because the wine Jesus made tasted better than the wine he had at the beginning of the feast)
- What was the effect of this miracle? (his disciples believed in him)
5. Faith Questions open up a conversation about faith and the gospel; close with prayer
- Jesus showed those at the feast that he was in control of the whole world, even things like water and wine. As a result of his miracle, the disciples believed in Jesus.
- The Bible records these miracles so we can believe in Jesus too. Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?
6. Memory Verse hide God's Word in their heart
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6Fill the jars Relay
Scripture Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them to the top. John 2:7
Supplies 2 buckets for each team, water, dixie cups
- Split class into two teams.
- Give each child a dixie cup.
- Each team should form a line, shoulder to shoulder.
- Place an empty bucket at the end of each line.
- Place a bucket filled with water at the beginning of each line.
- On the word go, the lead person in each line should fill their cup and pour it into the person's cup next to them.
- Continue on down the line and have last person pour water into empty bucket.
- The team with the most water at end of the game time wins!
- If there are only a small number of children, space them apart and have them spaced farther apart and run to each other to fill their cup.
Grape stomping or squishing
Heads up! Use discretion with this activity, according to your church's stance on alcohol.
Scripture and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. John 2:9
Supplies grapes, dishpan or bowls, towels and baby wipes
- Wine is made from first squishing grapes and allowing it to ferment.
- Allow the students to squish the grapes either with their feet (more fun!) or with their hands.
- Use towels and baby wipes for easy clean up.
- Provide grape juice to drink and grapes to eat!
Wedding Dress Up
Scripture On the third day there was a wedding. It took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. John 2:1-2
Supplies dress up supplies, wedding dress, bouquet of flowers, small wedding cake
- Provide supplies for students to dress up.
- If you do not have dress up materials, the students can make their own.
- Boys can make ties from card stock and string.
- Girls can make bouquets of flowers, using paper or silk flowers.
- Show students a wedding dress, but remind them that the traditional dress during Bible times was much different than today.
- A wedding ceremony was a week long event, in which they served their guests an extravagant feast.
- Provide a small wedding cake or cupcakes decorated with white icing.
Coloring Water into Wine
Scripture Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them to the top. 8 Then he told them, "Now dip some out. Take it to the person in charge of the dinner." They did what he said. 9 The person in charge tasted the water that had been turned into wine. John 2:7-9
Supplies red crayons, blue crayons, printer paper
- Color jars with blue crayon for water.
- Color over the blue with a red crayon to make purple.
- Rub with a piece of paper.
- This activity can also be done using paint.
- Paint blue paint first to represent the water.
- before the blue paint dries, paint over the blue paint with red paint. The colors should mix to make a purple color.
Paper Plate Wine Craft
Scripture and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. John 2:9
Supplies paper plates, brads, construction paper
- Follow directions on link to make it look like the jar is pouring water and wine.
Water into Wine Chemistry Experiment
Heads up! This is a repeat activity from the Plagues lesson
Supplies phenolphthalein pH indicator, sodium carbonate, water, 2 glasses, stirring rod, straw
- Follow the link below for a science experiment using phenolphthalein pH indicator and sodium carbonate.
- You can turn clear water into "wine", and then turn it clear again.