Lesson 1: The mystery of coins and fish.
Passage: Matthew 17:24-27 - Once when Jesus and his disciples were traveling in Capernaum, the temple tax collectors came up to Peter and tried to ask him a trick question, whether Jesus paid temple taxes or not. Peter said that he does, and went to Jesus to tell him what happened. While Jesus stated that it wasn’t right to make the children of God pay taxes to the temple, he told Peter to go and catch a fish and look inside its mouth. When Peter did this, he found two coins inside, just enough to pay for his and Jesus’ temple tax.
Big Idea: God meets our needs in surprising ways.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class and introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Water Bead Sensory Bins — Activity Leader
Give the kids some time at the beginning of class to explore the sensory bins.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re starting something brand new. We’re gonna be talking about some of the miracles that Jesus did when he was here on earth, and putting on our detective hats to try to find out what what we can learn from them.
Does anyone know what a miracle is?
Has anyone ever seen a magic show where the magician pulls something out of a hat? What do they usually find inside their hat?
In today’s story, we learn about a time when Jesus made something appear - not out of a hat, but out of a fish’s mouth!
Let’s watch our video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What do you think about Jesus’ miracle of making coins appear from the mouth of a fish? Was that pretty cool?
Does anyone remember why Peter needed the money in the first place?
But the problem was that Peter didn’t have the money. So he needed some help. And that’s where Jesus came in and told him to catch a fish and look in its mouth…
What do does that story make you think about what Jesus is like? (Jesus cares for our needs; sometimes he does it in funny and surprising ways)
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the miracle of Jesus we learned about today and how Jesus helped Peter pay for the temple costs by pulling coins out of a fish’s mouth. Thank you for how we learn that you take care of our needs, sometimes in surprising ways. Thank you for how much you care for us and love us, and please help us to find ways that we can also help others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Stuffed Paper Fish — Activity Leader
Using pre-made cut outs, kids can stuff, and decorate their fish (half stapled options available — leaders assist kids with stapling the fish closed).
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit near the TV. Welcome them to class and introduce yourselves .
Warm Up Activity: Water Beads Sensory Bins — Activity Leader
Give the kids some time at the beginning of class to explore the sensory bins.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re starting something brand new. We’re gonna be talking about some of the miracles that Jesus did while he was on earth, and putting on our detective hats to try to find out what they mean and what we can learn from them.
Does anyone know what a miracle is? Have you ever seen a miracle happen before in your life or someone else's?
Has anyone ever seen a magic show where the magician pulls something out of a hat? What do they usually find inside their hat?
In today’s story, we learn about a time when Jesus made something appear - not out of a hat, but out of a fish’s mouth!
Let’s watch our video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What do you guys think about the miracle of Jesus telling Peter to catch a fish and check it’s mouth to find coins?
Does anyone remember why Peter needed the coins in the first place?
Since Peter didn’t have the money to pay for it himself, he needed help, right? And that’s where Jesus came in and did his miracle.
What do you think that tells us about what Jesus is like? (he cares for our needs and provides for us, sometimes in funny and surprising ways)
Have you ever prayed to God for something you wanted or needed, and God answered your prayer in a funny way? What was that?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the miracle of Jesus we learned about today and how Jesus helped Peter pay for the temple costs by pulling coins out of a fish’s mouth. Thank you for how we learn that you take care of our needs, sometimes in surprising ways. Thank you for how much you care for us and love us, and please help us to find ways that we can also help others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity — Activity Leader — Stuffed Paper Fish
Using pre-made cut outs, kids can staple, stuff, and decorate their fish (half stapled options available).
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Welcome the kids to class and introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Minute to Win It — Activity Leader
Kids have one minute to try and get as many goldfish crackers from one plate to another using just a straw.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be starting a brand new series. For the last few weeks, we’ve been looking at some of the parables or stories of Jesus and what we learn from them.
For this series we’ll be taking a look at some of his miracles, and thinking about it like detectives trying to solve a mystery… The mystery we’re trying to solve is not how Jesus did these miracles, but what the deeper meaning behind them is - because Jesus didn’t just teach through stories and lessons, but also through his actions and the miracles he performed.
Let’s watch our video to find out what today’s miracle is all about….
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What do you guys think about Jesus’ miracle of making coins appear from the mouth of a fish?
Do you remember why they needed that money in the first place?
Do you think it was fair for the temple to be making people pay to go and worship God? Why do you think Jesus chose to pay for it anyway?
What’s something we can learn from this miracle about what God is like? (God cares for our needs and provides for us, sometimes in surprising ways)
Can you think of any surprising ways that God has answered your prayers?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the miracle of Jesus we learned about today, and how he made coins appear out of the mouth of a fish, so that Peter could pay for their temple costs. Thank you that we learn from this story that you provide for our needs, sometimes in the most surprising ways. Thank you for your love and care for us, and please allow us to also find opportunities to help others who are in need. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Stuffed Paper Fish — Activity Leader
Using pre-made cut outs, kids can staple, stuff, and decorate their fish.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What do you think about Jesus’ miracle of making coins appear from the mouth of a fish?
Why did he need the coins in the first place?
Do you think that was a funny way for Jesus to take care of what the disciples needed? What do you think that teaches us about how God takes care of us?
Do you think God can sometimes answer our prayers in funny or surprising ways? Like what?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What do you think about Jesus’ miracle of making coins appear from the mouth of a fish?
Why did him and his disciples need that money in the first place?
Why do you think Jesus decided to do it that way? What do you think his disciples learned from that? (that God always meets their needs, sometimes in surprising ways)
Has God ever answered your prayers in a surprising way? What was it?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What did you think about Jesus’ miracle of making coins appear from the mouth of a fish?
Why did him and Peter need that money in the first place?
Do you think it was fair for the temple to charge them money to worship in the temple? Why or why not?
Why do you think Jesus decided to find a way to pay for it anyway?
What do you think the disciples learned about God from this experience?
