Here is a fun way to teach the lesson, Jesus Called His Disciples. It focuses on four – Andrew, Simon, Philip, and Nathanael. Download printable Lesson below.
Watch me tell the story here:
Download a printable version of the lesson here:
Create Curiosity:
Drop Everything and Follow SKIT: Gather stuffed animals in your hands until they are full. Tell the children that when Jesus called His disciples he said, Drop everything and follow Me! He wanted them to know that following Him is so much better than anything else! Dramatically drop all the stuffed animals and pick up a giant stuffed animal. I would have missed out on something better if I’d refused to drop all the other things.
Teaching Time:
Andrew and Simon were among the first disciples Jesus called. They were fishermen. Jesus said, Follow Me. They dropped everything. They left their fish, their boat, and their family to follow Jesus.
Later, Jesus found Philip and said, Follow Me. Philip also dropped everything to follow Jesus. He told his friend about Jesus too.
Philip went to get his friend, Nathanael, to bring him to Jesus.
Read John 1:47-49.
47Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” John 1:47-49, ESV
These men had a choice. They could follow or not.
They chose to follow.
We have a choice too! We should always choose to follow Jesus. He’s better than anything else!
Craft: Shoe Craft –
Print out the shoe template onto cardstock or glue to cereal box cardboard and cut out. Punch holes where indicated. Color and use yarn to lace the shoe. (Option #2 – Have children trace their shoe. Write, Follow Jesus.)
Sing a Song:
Play Follow the Leader while music plays.