Gone Fishin' 8-Week Children's Ministry Curriculum

Committed to Jesus. Hook, Line and Sinker

A fishing-themed series looking at the ministry of Jesus.

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Gone Fishin' Lessons Overview

Memory Verse: 

“'Come and follow me,' Jesus said. 'I will send you out to fish for people.'” Mark 1:17 (NIRV)

Lessons:

Gone Fishin'

Scripture: Mark 1:14-20, Calling the First Disciples

The first people to become Jesus disciples were a group of fishermen. Jesus invited them to become “fishers of people” and they followed Him. Even today, Jesus calls us to follow Him and to share Jesus with others.

Objective: Kids will learn Jesus is calling all of us to become fishers of people.

Rock the Boat

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, The Beattitudes

Wherever He went Jesus preached about God and His kingdom. The amazing things that Jesus said delighted some people and shocked others. Jesus knew how to rock the boat, but it was all to point people to the truth. 

Objective: Kids will learn that those who seek after God will be blessed. 

Make Waves

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33, Jesus Walks On Water

Jesus made waves wherever He went, even when He walked on the water to the disciples boat. When Peter stepped out of the boat, he was doing fine until he started looking at the waves and stopped looking at Jesus. 

Objective: Kids will learn through thick and thin, I should keep my eyes on Jesus.  

All Hands On Deck

Scripture: Luke 10:1-12, 17-20, Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-two

The 12 disciples were Jesus close friends, but they were not the only people who followed Jesus. One time, Jesus sent 72 disciples to go and spread the good news to all the towns. They returned full of joy and wonder. 

Objective: Kids will learn that Jesus can use me to share the good news.

On The Hook

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42, Mary and Martha 

When fishing you want to make sure your bait stays “on the hook” for the fish to bite. When her sister would not help her clean, Martha complained. But Jesus let Mary “off the hook” and said that it was better for them to sit and spend time with Him.

Objective: Kids will learn there is a time to work and a time to spend with Jesus. 

The Fish Are Biting

Scripture: Mark 9:14-29, Jesus Heals a Boy 

A fisherman loves to hear “the fish are biting” because it means they are active and easy to catch. Once a father came to Jesus because his son was active and out of control. He asked Jesus to heal his son and to take away his doubts, and Jesus did. 

Objective: Kids will learn that Jesus can help to take away my doubts. 

Cast Out Your Line

Scripture: Matthew 17:24-27, Coin from a Fish

Before a fisherman can catch anything, he has to cast out his line. Those who tried to stop Jesus were always casting out lines to see if they could trip Jesus up, and one day they thought they had Him with the temple tax. Instead Jesus sent Peter to cast out his line and reel in exactly what was needed.

Objective: Kids will learn God will meet all my needs, sometimes in unexpected ways.  

A Fish Out of Water

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52, Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

When someone doesn't fit in, we might call him a fish out of water. Bartimaeus didn't fit in: He was blind and loud, and the people didn't seem to like him. But when Jesus took this fish out of water and healed him, Bartimaeus became a follower of Jesus that day.

Objective: Kids will learn if I seek after Jesus, He will change my life for the better.  

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• Make It Stick! Parent Sheet - so you can let mom and dad know what kids are learning each week and look like a rockstar teacher who's thought of everything.
• Memory Verse - so that you can make sure kids are getting Scripture in their minds and hearts every single week and you can feel like each lesson was a success even when it seems like 90% of your lesson time is spent saying things like "calm down", "let's be quiet", "hands to yourself!"
• Skit or Puppet Show - so you have a way to connect the lesson with your hands-on and visual learners easily. No drama team? No problem! Just hand the script to the kids. They'll have a blast and think you're the coolest.
• Craft Activity - so you can give kids a physical reminder of the Bible lesson (and give yourself an activity to keep them busy until mom and dad come back!)
• Game - so kids don't leave and say church was BORING! Games are so important to help keep kids engaged. Our large group games always include a "What's The Point" section to help you connect the game to the lesson.
• Large Group Lesson - so you can present the Bible story in a clear and fun way, which means now you can enjoy Saturday nights instead of stressing over putting a lesson together!
• Small-Group Discussion - so you can find out who was paying attention and who was talking to their neighbor.  Just kidding, this is a great way for you to build deeper relationships with your kiddos after each lesson, which means you're going to care about them so much you'll cry like a baby when they graduate and go to middle school :(
• More! - Yes, there is even more than all of that so that you can easily put together the perfect lesson for your ministry each weekend, which means no more agonizing over how to adjust complicated lesson plans. 

About This Curriculum:

• Perfect for kids ages 6-12
• 8-weeks
• Includes large group and small group resources
• This curriculum is an instant download
• Download a free sample here

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Guaranteed to Be Awesome!