James and John Want Fire from Heaven 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 came to save people.”
Jesus was walking to the big city of Jerusalem. He knew it was time to go there. Nothing would stop him. His friends walked with him. Step, step, step. Jesus came to save people.
On the way was the land of Samaria. The people who lived there were called Samaritans. Jews and Samaritans did not get along. They did not even like to talk to each other. But once Jesus sat by a well in Samaria. He talked kindly with a Samaritan woman there.
Jesus sent some friends ahead to a Samaritan village. They were to get things ready for him there. Maybe they looked for food and a place to sleep.
But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus. They did not want him to stay, because he was going to Jerusalem.
Two of Jesus’ friends were James and John. They were brothers. Jesus called them Sons of Thunder! Can you make a thunder sound? Boom!
James and John saw what the village did. “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from the sky?” they asked.
Long before, the prophet Elijah had called fire down from the sky. James and John wanted to do just what Elijah did. Maybe they were very angry.
What do you think Jesus said?
Jesus turned and rebuked them. Rebuke means to say: That is wrong! Can you shake your head, like this: no, no, no?
Jesus said, “You don’t know of what kind of spirit you are.” That means: You do not understand what is in your own hearts.
Jesus said, “The Son of Man didn’t come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” The Son of Man is Jesus. Destroy means to break something so it is gone. Jesus came to save people.
So they went on to another village. There was no fire at all. The Samaritan village was safe. Jesus and his friends just walked on. Step, step, step.
Jesus had taught his friends, “Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you.” He said, “Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.” Bless means to wish good things for someone.
Later, Jesus even told a story about a kind Samaritan. The Samaritan helped a man who was hurt by the road. He put bandages on his hurts. He brought him to an inn – a house where travelers sleep. And he took care of him. Jesus came to save people.
Some time later, after Jesus had gone back to heaven, John went to Samaria again. This time he went with Peter. They prayed for the Samaritans, and God gave them his Holy Spirit! John did not bring fire. He brought God’s good gift.
Jesus is kind, even to people who say no to him. He came for the Samaritans too. Jesus came to save people.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think James and John felt when the village said no?
- What can you do when someone does not want to play with you?
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)
Draw a line to who said it.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” — Luke 6:27 (love your enemies → hands on your heart; do good → hold out helping hands; to those who hate you → open your arms wide)
Dear Jesus, thank you that you came to save people. Thank you that you are kind to everyone. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Choose kindness, not anger
Memory verse: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” — Luke 6:27 · WEB
The Bible story
When a village turns Jesus away, James and John want to call down fire from heaven - but Jesus shows them a gentler, kinder way to love.
Talk about it
- Where was Jesus walking toward with His friends? — Jerusalem
- What special nickname did Jesus give James and John? — The Sons of Thunder
- Why did Jesus send messengers ahead to the village? — To find a place to stay
- What did the village people say when Jesus wanted to stay? — No, they said
- How did James and John feel when the village said no? — Upset and cross
- What bold idea did James and John ask Jesus about? — Calling down fire from heaven
Where is Jesus in this story?
James and John wanted to punish the village, but Jesus turned and corrected them (Luke 9:55). As John himself later wrote, God sent his Son into the world not to punish it but to save it (John 3:17). Jesus kept that gentle heart all the way to the cross, where he even prayed for the people hurting him: “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34).
What God wants to tell us
When someone is unkind to us, it is easy to feel cross and want them to feel bad too - just like James and John did. But Jesus shows us a better way. He teaches us that God's love is gentle and patient, and that we do not need to hurt others to feel better. God wants us to answer meanness with kindness and to keep peace in our hearts. Even when people say no or turn us away, we can choose to keep loving them, because that is exactly what Jesus did.
Prayer
Father God, thank You for showing me that love is gentle and kind. When someone is unkind to me, please help me not to be angry, but to choose peace like Jesus did. Fill my heart with patience and love. Help me to be kind even when it is hard. Amen.
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