The Woman at the Well 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 gives living water.”
Jesus and his friends were on a long trip. They walked and walked. They came to a town in Samaria. Jacob’s well was there. Jacob had lived there very long ago. A well is a deep hole in the ground, with water at the bottom.
It was the middle of the day. Jesus was tired from the long walk. He sat down by the well. His friends went into the town to buy food.
A woman came with her water jar to get water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” The woman was surprised. Jesus was a Jew. She was a Samaritan. Jews and Samaritans did not get along. They did not even talk to each other.
“How is it that you, being a Jew, ask for a drink from me?” she said.
Jesus answered her. “If you knew the gift of God, you would have asked him. He would have given you living water.” Living water is fresh water that flows. But Jesus meant something even better. Jesus gives living water.
“Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep,” she said. Can you pretend to pull up a heavy bucket from the deep well? Pull, pull, pull! “Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob?”
Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again.” Thirst means to be thirsty. Can you take a big drink? Gulp, gulp! Ahh! But later, you are thirsty again, right?
Jesus said, “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again.” He said his water would be like a well inside. It would be “springing up to eternal life.” Eternal life means life with God that never ends. Jesus gives living water.
“Sir, give me this water, so that I don’t get thirsty,” said the woman. Then she would not have to come all the way to the well anymore. Maybe she thought Jesus meant water in a jar!
Then Jesus told her about her own life. He knew everything she had done. The woman said, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.” A prophet speaks for God.
The woman said, “I know that Messiah is coming, he who is called Christ.” Messiah means the King God promised. Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who speaks to you.” Jesus gives living water.
Just then, Jesus’ friends came back. They were surprised that Jesus was talking with her.
The woman left her water jar. She hurried into the town. Quick, quick! “Come, see a man who told me everything that I have done. Can this be the Christ?”
Many people came out of the town to see Jesus. They begged him to stay with them. He stayed there two days. They said, “This is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” Savior means the one who saves.
Jesus came for everyone in the whole world. And Jesus came for you too. Jesus gives living water.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think the woman felt when Jesus talked kindly with her?
- Why do you think she ran to tell the whole town?
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)
“This is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world” — John 4:42 (the Christ → put a pretend crown on your head; the Savior → hug yourself; of the world → make a big circle with your arms)
Dear Jesus, thank you for your living water. Thank you that you are the Savior of the world. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Jesus loves everyone
Memory verse: “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again.” — John 4:14 · WEB
The Bible story
On a hot, dusty day, a lonely woman meets a kind stranger at a well who knows everything about her and offers her a gift of love that never runs dry.
Talk about it
- Where did Jesus sit down to rest on the hot day? — By an old well
- How was Jesus feeling after His long walk? — Tired and thirsty
- Who came to the well carrying a big jar? — A woman
- What did Jesus ask the woman for? — A drink of water
- Why was the woman surprised that Jesus spoke to her? — Jews and Samaritans didn't mix
- What special gift did Jesus offer the woman? — Living water
Where is Jesus in this story?
Jesus is the living water this story talks about. He came to find people who felt lost, thirsty, or alone, and to give them God's forever love. Just as he sat by the well waiting for one lonely woman, Jesus is always waiting to welcome you, to know you, and to fill your heart with a joy that never ends.
What God wants to tell us
This story shows us that Jesus loves every single person, even those who feel lonely or left out. He knew all about the woman, the happy parts and the sad parts, and he still chose to sit with her, care for her, and give her hope. God knows everything about you too, and he loves you just the same. You never have to feel alone, because his love is like a well of joy that never runs dry.
Prayer
Thank you, God, that you know everything about me and love me just as I am. When I feel lonely or left out, help me remember that Jesus is always near, like cool water for a thirsty heart. Fill me up with your joy, and help me share your love with others. Amen.
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