Jesus Turns Water into Wine: Sunday School Lesson for Ages 6-10
Ages 6-10 · 45 minutes · free lesson plan · John 2:1-11
Elementary children hear how Jesus turned water into wine at Cana. They play a jar-filling relay, make a lift-the-jar card, and learn to trust Jesus by doing what he says.
Memory verse
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. (John 2:5, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Retell the story of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana, in order.
- Explain that this first sign showed Jesus' glory and that his disciples believed in him.
- Practice trusting Jesus by listening to him and doing what he says.
The full lesson plan
Welcome: Do Exactly What I Say (5 min)
Setup: Clear an open space where children can stand in a circle.
Steps:
1. Say: "Welcome! Today we hear about a wedding party and a big surprise."
2. Play "Do It!" Call out simple actions one at a time: "Turn around once." "Touch your toes." "Clap three times." Children do each action exactly as called.
3. Make the actions a little silly so children listen closely. Try "Stand on one foot and count to three."
4. Ask: "Was it easy to do exactly what I said?"
Say: "In our story, some servants had to do exactly what Jesus told them, even when it seemed strange."
Say: "Now let's open our Bibles and find out what happened."
Time: 5 minutes.
Story: The Wedding at Cana (7 min)
Hold up your Bible. Tell the story with actions, and let children copy the motions.
Say: "Jesus, his mother, and his disciples were invited to a wedding in Cana of Galilee." (Pretend to clap for the couple.)
Say: "The wine ran out. Jesus' mother told him, 'They have no wine.'" (Turn empty hands up.)
Say: "She told the servants, 'Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.'" (Point to your ears, then nod.)
Say: "There were six stone waterpots. Jesus said, 'Fill the waterpots with water.' The servants filled them to the brim." (Pretend to pour.)
Say: "Then Jesus said, 'Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast.' They did." (Carry a pretend cup.)
Say: "The governor tasted it. The water had become wine! He did not know where it came from, but the servants knew." (Gasp and look surprised.)
Say: "He told the bridegroom, 'Thou hast kept the good wine until now.'"
Read John 2:11 aloud from the KJV. It says this was the beginning of miracles Jesus did in Cana. He showed his glory, and his disciples believed on him.
Say: "Now let's talk about what this shows us."
Teaching: Who Is Jesus? (8 min)
Say: "The servants did not understand what Jesus was doing. They still did what he said."
Point 1: The servants obeyed. Jesus asked them to fill the jars with water, and they filled them to the brim. They did not argue.
Point 2: Only Jesus could do this. The Bible calls it the beginning of his miracles. It showed his glory, meaning how great and powerful he is.
Background: Each jar held two or three firkins, which is a very large amount of liquid.
Point 3: Jesus gives good gifts. The governor said the best was saved for last. Jesus does more than we expect.
Point 4: The disciples believed on him. This miracle helped them see who Jesus is. Later, the Bible teaches that Jesus is God's Son who came to save us.
Ask: "What was the servants' job?" (Fill jars and carry the cup.)
Ask: "Who got the credit?" (Jesus, who showed his glory.)
Say: "We can trust Jesus too, even when we do not understand his plan."
Say: "Now let's practice being servants who listen."
Game: Fill the Jars Relay (8 min)
Setup: Put the tub of water at one end of the room and the clear pitcher at the other. Spread towels on the floor around both. Make two lines of children with an arm's length between them.
Steps:
1. Say: "You are the servants. Jesus said, 'Fill them up to the brim!'"
2. The first child scoops a cup of water from the tub. Cups are passed hand to hand down the line.
3. The last child pours the cup into the pitcher. Then they run no further; they walk to the front of the line.
4. Keep going until the pitcher is full to the brim.
5. Ask: "What helped us finish?" (Listening, teamwork, doing the job.)
Safety: Walk only, never run. Wipe spills right away so no one slips. Keep the water away from electrical items. Let any child who would rather watch hold the pitcher.
Time: about 8 minutes.
Say: "Now let's make something to help us remember."
Craft: Lift the Jar Card (8 min)
Setup: Give each child a sheet of cardstock. Before class, lightly mark a jar shape on the front of each card for younger children.
Steps:
1. Fold the cardstock in half like a card.
2. Draw a large jar on the front. Color the jar gray like stone and write "Water" on it.
3. Cut a small door in the jar on three sides, so it opens like a flap. An adult can help.
4. Open the card. On the inside page, behind the door, color a deep red or purple patch and write "Wine".
5. Write inside: "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. John 2:5."
Say: "When you lift the door, remember that Jesus did something no one else could do."
Safety: Use safety scissors only, with adult supervision. Pre-cut doors for children who cannot cut safely. Keep scissors and glue away from eyes and mouths.
Time: about 8 minutes.
Say: "Let's sit together and talk about the story."
Talk It Over (5 min)
Ask the questions one at a time. Let several children answer.
1. Why do you think the servants filled the jars when Jesus asked? (They trusted him, or they did what he said.)
2. How might the servants have felt when the governor tasted the drink? (Surprised, amazed, glad.)
3. What does this miracle show us about Jesus? (He has great power, he is generous, he is God's Son.)
4. When is it hard to do what Jesus says? (When I do not want to share, when no one is watching, or when I do not understand.)
Say: "We can ask Jesus for help to obey, and he is always ready to help us."
Say: "Now let's close in prayer."
Memory Verse and Prayer (4 min)
Memory verse: Say John 2:5 together two times: "His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it." Add motions: point to ears for "saith", then nod for "do it".
Prayer points (pray aloud one line at a time; children repeat or say Amen):
- Thank you, Jesus, for showing your power and glory at Cana.
- Help us listen to you and do what you say.
- Thank you for the good gifts you give us.
- Help us believe in you, as the disciples did.
Say: "Take your card home and tell someone what Jesus did at the wedding."
Materials
- Bible (KJV)
- Large tub or bucket of water
- Plastic cups (one per child)
- Clear pitcher or jar
- Old towels for spills
- Cardstock or heavy paper (one sheet per child)
- Crayons or markers
- Safety scissors and glue sticks
Teacher notes
- Safety: Wipe spills at once, and walk during the relay. Use safety scissors under supervision and pre-cut for younger children. No food is used, but check for any skin allergies to markers or glue.
- Adaptation: Use a picture of six jars for visual learners. Pair a buddy with a child who needs help cutting or pouring. Offer a quiet role, such as holding the pitcher, to children who prefer not to run or pass.
- Stay with the text. The Bible does not say the bride's or groom's names, how many guests came, or what the servants said. If children ask, say, "The Bible doesn't tell us."
- Wine appears in the story. If asked, say simply that it was a drink at wedding feasts then, and keep the focus on Jesus' power and obedience.
Send it home with parents
Today we studied John 2:1-11, where Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding in Cana. This was his first miracle. It showed his glory, and his disciples believed in him. The servants trusted Jesus and did what he said.
- What part of the wedding story was your favorite?
- What did the servants do when Jesus asked them to fill the jars?
- What is one thing Jesus asks us to do that is hard for you?
Fill a clear pitcher with water together. Read John 2:1-11 aloud, and let your child pour the water 'to the brim'. Then say the memory verse together.
This week, when a parent or teacher asks you to do something, do it right away and cheerfully. Then thank Jesus for helping you listen.
Make this lesson your own: change the age, length or language · Printables to go with this lesson · Printables for this story
More teaching resources
More free lessons
See all free lessons