Single lesson

Breakfast beside the Sea and Jesus' Conversation with Peter

John 21:1–25

In this lesson, children trace how Jesus revealed himself by the sea, provided breakfast, spoke directly to Peter, and called him to keep following. They will sequence the account and notice what Jesus says and how the disciples respond.

6–10 years30 minutes

Before you teach

John 21:1–25 describes Jesus revealing himself again to his disciples at the sea of Tiberias after he had risen from the dead. The passage moves from an empty night of fishing, to a large catch at Jesus’ word, to breakfast on the shore, and then to Jesus’ conversation with Peter and a final note about truthful witness.

Learning aim

Students will be able to retell the main parts of John 21:1–25 and identify that Jesus calls Peter to love him, feed his lambs, tend his sheep, feed his sheep, and follow him.

1

Welcome: What happened first by the sea?

5 min

Briefly introduce the setting at the sea of Tiberias. Explain that several disciples were together, Peter chose to go fishing, and the others joined him. Ask children to listen for what happened after a whole night with no fish. This prepares them to notice the order of the story and the change that came when Jesus spoke.

John 21:1, John 21:2, John 21:3

2

Read and explain: From empty nets to breakfast

8 min

Read verses 4–14 aloud. Point out that the disciples did not first recognise Jesus on the beach. Jesus told them to cast the net on the right side, and they caught many fish. The disciple whom Jesus loved said, “It’s the Lord!” Then Jesus invited them to eat breakfast and gave them bread and fish.

John 21:4, John 21:5, John 21:6, John 21:7, John 21:12, John 21:13, John 21:14

3

Discuss: What did Jesus say to Peter?

7 min

Read verses 15–19. Help children hear the repeated pattern. Three times Jesus asked Peter about love, and each time he gave Peter work to do: “Feed my lambs”, “Tend my sheep”, and “Feed my sheep.” Then Jesus told Peter, “Follow me.” As a careful application, you can discuss how loving Jesus is shown in responding to his words.

John 21:15, John 21:16, John 21:17, John 21:19

4

Make and respond: Story sequence cards

7 min

Children make simple sequence cards showing key moments: fishing all night, Jesus on the shore, the full net, breakfast, Jesus speaking to Peter, and Peter asking, “What about this man?” As they place the cards in order, ask them to tell what choice or action happened in each part and what followed. Keep answers tied to the words of the passage.

John 21:3, John 21:6, John 21:9, John 21:15, John 21:21, John 21:22

5

Closing: Follow me, not comparisons

3 min

Finish with verses 20–25. Explain that Peter asked about another disciple, but Jesus brought Peter back to his own call: “You follow me.” Point out that the passage also says the disciple testified and wrote these things, and that his witness is true. End by reviewing the story in order together.

John 21:20, John 21:21, John 21:22, John 21:23, John 21:24, John 21:25

Questions to explore

What changed between the night of fishing and the morning by the shore?

Look at the contrast between “they caught nothing” and what happened after Jesus told them where to cast the net.

John 21:3, John 21:6

What did Jesus ask Peter three times, and what did he tell Peter to do?

Listen for the repeated question about love and the repeated instructions about lambs and sheep.

John 21:15, John 21:16, John 21:17

When Peter asked, “What about this man?”, how did Jesus answer him?

Notice that Jesus did not answer Peter’s comparison in detail. He returned Peter to his own responsibility.

John 21:21, John 21:22

Make, think or respond

Sea Shore Sequence Cards

What you’ll need

  • plain paper or card
  • pencils or crayons
  • scissors
  • Bible

Try it together

  1. Draw six simple pictures from the passage: boat at night, Jesus on the shore, net full of fish, breakfast fire, Jesus speaking to Peter, and Peter asking, “What about this man?”
  2. Cut out the cards and mix them up.
  3. Read the passage sections again and place the cards in order together.
  4. Invite each child to choose one card and tell one sentence about what happened in that part of the passage.

This activity helps children sequence John 21:1–25 and connect each part with Jesus’ words and the disciples’ responses.

Adapt for your group

  • For younger children, reduce the sequence to four cards and repeat key phrases such as “It’s the Lord” and “Follow me”.
  • For older or confident readers, ask them to match exact words from the passage to each card, such as “Come and eat breakfast” or “Feed my sheep”.

An optional closing prayer

Proposed words: Lord Jesus, thank you for revealing yourself to your disciples. Please help us listen to your words, love you, and follow you faithfully.

Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic

John 21

1 After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way.

2 Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.

3 Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing.

4 But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus.

5 Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.”

6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish.

7 That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea.

8 But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish.

9 So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it.

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”

11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of one hundred fifty-three great fish. Even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.

12 Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast!” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.

13 Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise.

14 This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples after he had risen from the dead.

15 So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?” Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you have affection for me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

18 Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”

19 Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

20 Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ chest at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”

21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”

22 Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.”

23 This saying therefore went out among the brothers that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true.

25 There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.

World English Bible Classic. Public domain.

Source passages

Something to make together

These activities connect with the passage. Choose one that suits your group and the time you have.

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