The Miraculous Catch of Fish 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: “So many fish, the nets were breaking!”
Jesus was standing by a big lake. It was called the lake of Gennesaret. Many fishermen lived by this lake. A big crowd pushed close to him. They pushed and pushed to get close. They wanted to hear God’s word.
Two boats were by the shore. The fishermen had gotten out. They were washing their nets. Fishermen wash their nets so they stay strong and clean. They had fished all night long.
Fishermen often fished at night. But this night they had caught nothing. Not one fish! Their nets were empty. Maybe they were tired.
Jesus got into one boat. It was Simon Peter’s boat. He asked Simon to push out a little from the land. Then Jesus sat down and taught the people from the boat. The people stood on the shore and listened. Now everyone could see him and hear him.
Then Jesus spoke to Simon. “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” The deep means far out, where the water is deep. Fish swim deep down in the water. A catch means fish to catch.
Simon answered him, “Master, we worked all night and caught nothing. But at your word I will let down the net.” Master means teacher and leader. Simon was a good fisherman. He knew the lake well.
Maybe Simon did not think there were fish. But he did what Jesus said. What do you think will happen?
So they let down the nets. Splash! Suddenly the nets were full of fish! So many fish! Fish, fish, and more fish! Can you pull a very heavy net? Heave, ho! So many fish, the nets were breaking!
They waved to their partners in the other boat to come and help. Partners are friends who work together. Can you wave your arms: come, come?
The friends came. They filled both boats with fish. The boats were so full, they began to sink! Wobble, wobble! So many fish, the nets were breaking!
Simon Peter saw it. He fell down at Jesus’ knees. He said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord.” Depart means go away. Sinful means someone who has done wrong things. Simon saw how great and holy Jesus was.
Simon was amazed, and all who were with him. James and John were amazed too. They were Simon’s partners. So many fish, the nets were breaking!
Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive.” That means: You will bring people to God. Simon had caught fish. Now he would bring people home to God.
They brought their boats to land. Simon was there, and his partners James and John. They left everything. They left the boats. They left the nets. They left all those fish! And they followed Jesus. Now they would be with Jesus every day.
Jesus gave them more than their nets could hold. And he gave them a new job too. So many fish, the nets were breaking!
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think Simon felt when the nets were so full?
- What do you think the fishermen did with all those fish?
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 2 boats, then draw lots of fish in them.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“At your word I will let down the net” — Luke 5:5 (at your word → hand behind your ear; I will let down the net → throw a big net with both arms)
Dear Jesus, thank you that you give us more than we need. Thank you that we can trust your word. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Trust God and try again
Memory verse: “Don't be afraid. From now on you will be catching people alive.” — Luke 5:10 · WEB
The Bible story
Tired Simon fished all night and caught nothing—until Jesus asked him to try once more, and the nets filled with more fish than the boats could hold!
Talk about it
- What had Simon caught after fishing all night? — Nothing at all
- Where did Jesus sit to teach the crowd? — In Simon's boat
- What did Jesus tell Simon to do after teaching? — Go out to deep water
- What was Simon doing when Jesus came to the lake? — Washing his nets
- What did Simon say before letting down the nets? — Because you say so, I will
- What happened to the nets in the deep water? — They began to break
Where is Jesus in this story?
This story shows us how gentle and how mighty Jesus is. He did not wait for Simon to be good enough—He simply invited him, "Do not be afraid," and gave him a brand-new job catching people for God's kingdom. Just as Jesus filled the empty nets, He came to fill our empty hearts with His love and to rescue us. When we follow Jesus, He turns ordinary people into His helpers and carries us safely home to God.
What God wants to tell us
When Simon was tired and everything had gone wrong, he still trusted Jesus enough to try one more time—and God did something amazing! We do not have to be perfect or strong for God to use us. When we listen and obey, even when it feels hard, God can fill our lives with more good things than we ever imagined. He loves to surprise us with His kindness.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for being so kind and full of wonderful surprises. When I feel tired or things go wrong, help me to trust You and try again. Thank You that You love me just as I am, and that You want me to help others know You. I want to follow You like Simon did. Amen.
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