Breakfast on the Beach Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Jesus was waiting on the beach.”
Jesus had risen from the dead. Now some of his friends were by the big lake again. It was called the sea of Tiberias. There were seven friends. Peter was there, and Thomas, and Nathanael. James and John were there, and two others. Let’s count them on our fingers: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven!
Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We are also coming with you,” said the others. Peter, James, and John had been fishermen before.
They got into the boat. It was night. Fishermen often fished at night. They threw out the net. They pulled it in. Nothing! They threw it out again. They pulled it in again. Nothing! That night, they caught nothing at all. Maybe they were tired. Maybe they were hungry. Then the sky began to get light.
When morning came, a man stood on the beach. It was Jesus! But his friends did not know it. He was not very far away. He called to them across the water. Jesus was waiting on the beach.
“Children, have you anything to eat?” Jesus called. Children was a kind way to call them. “No,” they answered. They had nothing.
Jesus said to them. “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” Cast means throw. Which side? The right side! Can you wave your right hand?
So they threw the net on the right side. Splash! Now the net was so full of fish, they could not pull it in! Can you pull a heavy net? Heave, ho! Heave, ho!
Then the friend whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” Peter put on his coat. He jumped into the water. Splash! He went to Jesus as fast as he could. Peter could not wait to be with Jesus!
The others came in the little boat. They were not far from the land, about one hundred big steps. They pulled the net full of fish behind them. Jesus was waiting on the beach.
On the beach there was a fire of coals. Fish and bread were on it. Coals are glowing hot pieces of wood. Crackle, crackle! Jesus was there by the fire. He had breakfast ready for them.
Jesus said, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” Peter pulled the net to land. It was full of big fish, one hundred fifty-three! That is so many fish! And the net did not tear.
Jesus said, “Come and eat breakfast!” Nobody asked him, “Who are you?” They all knew it was the Lord.
Jesus took the bread and gave it to them. He gave them fish too. They ate together, Jesus and his friends. A warm breakfast by the fire, in the morning light. Jesus was waiting on the beach.
After Jesus rose from the dead, he showed himself to his friends. This was now the third time. Three times!
Jesus was alive, and he took care of his friends. Jesus was waiting on the beach.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think the friends felt after fishing all night and catching nothing?
- What do you think they talked about at breakfast with Jesus?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Color the 7 friends in the boat and the 1 fire on the beach.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Come and eat breakfast!” — John 21:12 (Come → wave your hand: come here; and eat breakfast → pretend to eat)
Dear Jesus, thank you that you took care of your friends. Thank you for my breakfast and all my food. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Jesus cares about little things
Memory verse: “Jesus said to them, "Come and eat breakfast!"” — John 21:12 · WEB
The Bible story
One early morning by the sea, tired fishermen who caught nothing meet a stranger on the shore who cooks them breakfast and warms their hearts.
Talk about it
- What were Peter and his friends doing all night long? — Fishing
- How many fish did they catch during the night? — None at all
- Who was standing on the shore early in the morning? — Jesus
- What did the stranger tell them to do? — Throw the net on the right
- What happened when they threw the net over? — It filled with fish
- What did Peter do when he knew it was Jesus? — He jumped into the water
Where is Jesus in this story?
This breakfast on the beach was one of the very first times Jesus' friends saw Him alive again after He had been hurt and died on the cross. But the sad part did not last, because Jesus rose again and came back to them, full of love and ready to make them breakfast! When Jesus asked Peter three times, "Do you love me?" He was gently showing Peter that his mistakes were forgiven. This is how much Jesus loves us, He rescues us, forgives us, and stays close to feed our hearts forever.
What God wants to tell us
Jesus did not just teach big lessons, He also cooked breakfast for His tired friends. That shows us God cares about the everyday things in our lives, like feeling hungry, tired, or a bit sad. He loves to be near us, to help us, and to fill up the empty places in our hearts. When we feel like we have tried and tried but nothing is working, we can trust Jesus. He is always ready to surprise us with His kindness and remind us that we are deeply loved.
Prayer
Father God, thank you for loving me even on tired, empty days. Thank you that Jesus came back alive and cares about the little things in my life. Help me to trust you and to share your love with others, just like Peter did. I love you. Amen.
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