The Children\'s Chapel

The Big Catch
by Jennifer and Linda Sue Pochodzay Edwards

When they had taken care of the fish Jesus called his disciples to come to breakfast

Text Version | Afrikaans | Italian


One warm, summer afternoon, Tomika and Naabu started walking home from the mission school. They wanted to stay for the afternoon activity class, but they knew they should go fishing to help provide food for their families.

Their friend Kimisha stopped them. “Tomika! Naabu! Why are you leaving? Can't you stay for the games?”

soccer

“We'd like to, but we're going fishing instead,” Tomika answered.

“Okay. I understand. Maybe you could stay tomorrow,” Kimisha said with a grin.

“We'll see if we can. Would you like to come with us today?” Naabu asked.

“I'd love to! I'll be right over. Let me get my fishing spear, too,” Kimisha squealed with delight.

They all walked gleefully along the dirt road toward the fishing pier. It was a long walk, but they enjoyed it, talking and laughing all the way.

As the three walked along, Tomika started humming one of his favorite songs. Naabu asked Kimisha, “What is your favorite thing we did today?”

“You know, I always enjoy the Bible stories the most,” Kimisha answered.

“Well, I liked the spelling words that came from the story today,” Naabu declared.

“That's the only thing I don't like about school. I like reading, writing, math, and all the other fun activities, but I just don't like spelling,” Kimisha stated.

“Why not? It's not as difficult as the grammar rules for English,” Naabu added.

“I just wonder why I have to learn to spell words in a language that's much more difficult than ours,” Kimisha answered.

“Do you think the missionaries at school thought the same thing about our language?” Naabu asked.

“I suppose they could have. Why then do you think they decided to leave their home and come learn a new language and way of life?” Kimisha asked.

“Well, I can't be sure, but I think it has something to do with the fact that they want to help us,” Naabu replied. “You know, teaching us things so we can have a better life.”

“You mean do what Jesus would have done?” Kimisha questioned.

Boys fishing

“Yes! That's exactly what I mean,” Naabu said.

By then, they were almost to the pier, and Tomika spoke up: “Look how beautiful the water is! There just HAS to be a lot of fish today!”

And with that, they headed out to the water. They fished for quite a while, but they didn't catch anything. Then, when they were running out of hope, Tomika asked the others, “Do you remember the story about Peter, James and John in the fishing boat? I feel kind of like them right now.”

Kimisha asked, “You mean helpless and with no food?”

“Yes. That's right,” Tomika replied.

“Maybe if we go a little further down the river, we might catch something,” Naabu said.

The three friends waded in the shallow water, splashing and giggling till one of them saw some little minnows swimming around their feet. “This is the place to be!” Kimisha told the others.

Sure enough, they were able to catch enough fish for each of them to take some home. They had such a good time fishing together, they didn't mind that they had missed the after school activities, and they made plans to do it again the next week.

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When Jesus was alive on earth, the disciples spent most of their time with Him, listening to His teachings, eating meals with Him, and helping Him with the crowds of people that came to see Him. Jesus was the best Friend they had ever had.

Of course, they were very sad when He died on the cross. Then their sadness turned into overwhelming joy, when they discovered that He had risen from the dead. But now that Jesus wasn't there with them all the time, they just weren't quite sure what to do.

Peter, who was always quick to voice his opinion, turned to the other friends, and said, “You can do whatever you want, but I'm going fishing!” He quickly stood up and started walking toward the boat dock. The rest of the group looked at one another and decided that since they didn't have a better idea, they would go, too.

“Hey, Peter. Wait for us!” they shouted, as they jumped up to follow him.

Sea

They put their fishing supplies and net into the boat and lifted the anchor. They raised the sails so the wind could take them to the deep water where the fish would be. When they thought they had found just the right spot, they dropped the anchor and threw the fishing net into the sea.

They talked . . .

and waited . . .

and drew up the net . . .

but there were no fish.

Again, they threw the fishing net into the sea.

They talked . . .

and waited . . .

and drew up the net . . .

but there were STILL no fish.

The sun had gone down and it was already dark, and the disciples were hungry and tired. Some of them tried to convince Peter to give up and go back to shore, but Peter truly enjoyed fishing and he would not listen.

While the other men were grumbling, Peter threw the net into the sea AGAIN.

They talked . . .

and waited . . .

and drew up the net . . .

...over and over and over again, but they still never caught any fish.

Peter thought he saw someone off in the distance standing on the shore Some of the men were so tired that they laid down in the boat and fell asleep, but Peter continued fishing. The night sky began turning lighter shades of gray as the sun began to rise and daylight appeared. They had been fishing all night long. Peter thought he saw someone off in the distance, standing on the shore, but he wasn't quite sure. He began waking his sleeping friends.

Just then he heard a voice calling to him, “Did you catch any fish?”

“NO!” Peter yelled back.

“Cast your net on the other side of the boat,” the person on shore replied.

netSuddenly to his surprise and amazement the net was full of fish

Peter did as he was told. He threw the net on the other side of the boat. Suddenly, to his surprise and amazement, the net was full of fish. There were so many fish, that they couldn't raise the net into the boat.

At that moment, John realized that the person standing on the shore was their best Friend, Jesus. When Peter heard that it was Jesus, he was so excited that he didn't even wait for the boat to reach the shore. He jumped right into the water and swam to shore to be with Jesus.

They saw that Jesus had already built a fire and was cooking fish for themThe disciples sailed the boat to shore dragging the net full of fish behind them

The disciples sailed the boat to shore, dragging the net full of fish behind them. As soon as they reached land, they saw that Jesus had already built a fire and was cooking fish for them.

The fish He was cooking over the fire was ready to eat and Jesus also had bread for them Peter walked over to the boat to help the others bring in the net full of fish. When they counted them, they discovered that there were 153 fish in that one big catch.

When they had taken care of the fish, Jesus called them to come to breakfast. The fish He was cooking over the fire was ready to eat and He also had bread for them. Everyone enjoyed the wonderful meal, but they were even more excited about being with their Friend Jesus.


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REMEMBER: God can still do miracles!


THINK!

1. Who wanted to go fishing?
2. How long did they fish?
3. Who was standing on the shore?
4. How many fish did they catch?
5. Who cooked breakfast?


A VERSE TO LEARN

“All things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23b).


PRACTICAL APPLICATION

The disciples were out on the sea working hard, trying to catch fish the whole night long. Do you suppose they were hungry by the time the sun came up? Do you believe Jesus cared about the tough night they had, working all night but not catching anything? What makes you believe that? Do you think Jesus sees and cares about what happens in your life?

So what do you suppose would have happened if the disciples had decided it was useless to obey Jesus' command to cast the net on the other side of the boat? Can you now see how important it is to obey Jesus?

[After discussion:] Jesus cared deeply about his disciples because He even fried some fish for them to eat. He also cares deeply about you. He wants you to have faith and learn to be obedient to Him so He can bless you with good things.



LET'S PRAY

Dog and boy praying

****************************************************
“Dear God, thank You for loving and caring
for me. Help me obey You and believe
that You can do wonderful things for me.
In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.”
****************************************************


CAN YOU FIND THIS STORY IN THE BIBLE?
John 21:1-14


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JUST FOR FUN

Christian and educational fish games for children


activities

Jigsaw Puzzle (online)
Color, Cut, and Scramble the Bible Verse
The Long Night on the Lake (Drama or Puppet Script)
Online Fish Matching Game
Print Out Matching Game
Scripture Scramble and Letter Hunt
Word Search
Connect the Dots (online)
How to Draw Dolphins & Other Sea Animals

5-Minute Sunday School Activities:
Jesus' Miracles and Messages


Word Scramble (online)

Best Book of Bible Activities
Bible Puzzles: Word Search
Big Book Of Bible Puzzles
Big Book Of Bible Story Activity Pages V1
Bingo
Children's Activity Books
Children's Puzzles
Christian and educational toys
Crossword Books
Encyclopedia Of Bible Games For Children's Ministry
Games
Jumbo Bible Activity Book 4
Memory Verse Games for Kids
Sticker Books
The Humongous Book of Games for Children's Ministry
The Super Sized Book of Bible Puzzles


crayons

Beginner Coloring Page (online)
The Big Catch (online)
The Fishers of Men (online)

Action Bible Coloring Book
Coloring Through the Bible
Beginner's Bible Super-Duper Mighty Jumbo Coloring Book
Bible Stories Kids Love Coloring Book (ages 2 to 4)
Big Book of Bible Story Coloring Pages for Elementary Kids
Jesus Loves Me, This I Know, Coloring Book
My Bible Coloring Book
My Gospel Story by Colors--Activity Book
My Jumbo Bible Story Coloring Book
The Super-Sized Book of Bible Coloring & Art
The Super-Sized Book of Bible Verse Coloring Pages
Children's Bible Coloring Books


crafts

Fish Craft (online)
Fishers of Men Craft (online)
Forever Floating (online)
Halves Boat (online)
Triangle Fish (online)
Simple Sailboat Craft (online)

Bible Crafts
Bible Crafts & More (Ages 3-6)
Bible Craft Videos (online)
Crafting the Word of God

Easy-to-Make Bible Crafts PDF for Kids
& Digital Album Download [PDF Download]


Encyclopedia Of Bible Crafts For Preschoolers
Hot Crafts for Cool Kids pdf download
Maker-ific WOWS! (ages 8-12): 54 Surprising Bible Crafts

More! Bible Crafts on a Shoe String Budget:
Paper Sacks & Cardboard Tubes

(Reproducible: Ages 5-10)

Puppet Crafts For Kids


singing birds

Peter, James and John in a Sailboat (listen online)
Peter Was a Fisherman (listen online)
Sailing Home (listen online)
We're Sailing Home (listen online)

100 Ways To Know God Loves Me & 100 Songs
100 Bible Stories 100 Bible Songs
Action Bible Songs
Bible Songs on CD
Bible Songs on DVD
150 All-Time Favorite Veggietunes
100 Singalong Bible Songs For Kids

Platinum Bible Collection of Classic Christian Songs on DVD
The Bible in a Minute (sing along)

25 Favorite Sunday School Songs
Children's Music


child reading a book

Arch Books Treasury: 1966 - 1967
Peter and the Miraculous Catch of Fish (online) Peter-The Fisherman: A Bibletime Book
Simon Peter-The Disciple: A Bibletime Book

Beginner's Bible
Beginner's Bible for Little Ones
Bible in Pictures For Toddlers
Bible stories
Children's Books
Early Reader's Bible
100 Bible Stories 100 Bible Songs w/2 CD
Pilgrim's Progress Comic
Spanish Children's Books

365 Activities For Kids:
A Bible Story And Activity For Each Day Of The Year


365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories
The Children's Illustrated Bible
The Picture Bible (also in Spanish)
The Preschooler's Bible
Toddler's Bible



CDs and DVDs

Animated Bible Stories: Miracles of Jesus (watch online)

Bible on the Go Vol. 35:
Baptism, Temptation, Disciples, and Miracles of Jesus


God's Story: Peter (online)
Going Fishing (online)
Greatest Heroes & Legends: Miracles of Jesus (online)
Jesus Storybook Bible Animated DVD Vol. 3
Miracles of Jesus Superbook DVD
Ranger Ron Talks About Second Chances (online)
Superbook: Miracles of Jesus (watch online)
Superbook: Peter Becomes a Fisher of Men (watch online)
The Great Catch (online)

What's in the Bible: What Is the Bible?
Jesus Is the Good News


All the Shows, Volume 1: 1993-1999
Do You Wonder Why? (watch online)
God's Story from Creation to Eternity (listen & watch online)
Read and Share DVD Bible
The Jesus Storybook Bible Curriculum Kit
Bible story DVDs
Children's DVDs



TEACHER'S RESOURCES

The Long Night on the Lake (online drama or puppet script)
All the Miracles of the Bible
Gone Fishing (online)
Jesus Helps Catch Fish (printable activities)
Jesus, Simon Peter, and the Miraculous Catch of Fish (online)
Out Fishing the Fisherman (online)
Peter the Fisherman (online)
Preschool Sunday School Lesson: A Miraculous Catch of Fish (online)

Free Bible story images
801 Questions Kids Ask About God
Absentee Postcards
African American Resources
Almost Every Answer for Practically Any Teacher
Bible for Children in 232 languages
Children's Ministry
Bible Memory Match Game
My Jumbo Bible Story Coloring Book
The Jesus Storybook Bible Curriculum Kit
Big Book of Bible Games
Bulletin Board helps
Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul
Children's Ministry Volunteers That Stick
Children's Sermon
Church Supplies
Closing Prayer

FREE materials to Bible schools, Bible colleges, seminaries,
churches, missionaries & individuals worldwide


52 Games That Teach The Bible
Free educational videos
God's Servants Teach Me

God's Wisdom for Little Boys:
Character-Building Fun from Proverbs


Help! I'm a Sunday School Teacher
How To Lead a Child To Christ
King James Version Gift & Award Bibles

Leading Little Ones to God:
A Child's Book of Bible Teachings


Lord Teach Me To Pray For Kids
Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours
Memory Verse Resources
Object Talks
Opening Prayer
Parenting Resources
Pray & Play Bible for Young Children
Puppet Scripts
Review Activities for Bible Lessons
Seven Laws of the Learner
Spanish Resources
Sunday school resources
Sunday School Songs: Lyrics and Tunes (online)
Talking to God
Teachers' Reproducible Classroom Pages
Teaching Children Memory Verses Ages 4-5
Teaching Children To Pray Ages 4-5
Teaching to Change Lives
The Beginner's Bible Curriculum Kit

The Humongous Book of Bible Skits
for Children's Ministry


Vacation Bible School
What Every Sunday School Teacher Should Know

Children's resources


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