Lesson

Jesus Turns Water into Wine Lesson for Kids (John 2)

A free Jesus turns water into wine lesson for kids (John 2:1–11) in four age levels, preschool to preteen, with a game, Bible story, questions and take-home.

Preschool–Grade 6

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Free to print and copy for your church, classroom, VBS and home. Please don't resell or re-post our files; link to the page instead.

Ages: Preschool (3–5), Early Elementary (K–2), Upper Elementary (3–5), Preteen (5–6)
Time: 20–60 minutes (depends on the age level)
Scripture: John 2:1–11
Bible story: Jesus Turns Water into Wine

What you need

A Bible (mark John 2:5, John 2:7 and John 2:11)
Bibles for the kids to look up verses (3rd grade and up)
6 clear plastic cups, a bucket or pitcher of water, a small scooping cup and a towel (kindergarten to 2nd grade)
6 plastic cups or bowls to hide (preschool)
An empty or full 1-gallon jug (3rd to 5th grade)
6 paper strips, a marker and tape (memory verse game, kindergarten to 2nd grade)
A whiteboard or large paper and a marker (3rd grade and up)
Paper and pencils (3rd grade and up)
Printed take-home sheets, one per child
Printed Jesus turns water into wine word search and crayons for early finishers

This free Jesus turns water into wine lesson for kids teaches John 2:1–11: at a wedding in Cana, Jesus' mother told the servants, "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it" (John 2:5), they filled six stone waterpots up to the brim, and Jesus did His first miracle. Kids learn that Jesus has great power, so we do whatever He tells us. It comes in four age levels, each a separate printable teacher lesson, plus one take-home sheet for families. Pick the one that fits your class. Everything is in the order you teach it.

Choose your age level

Preschool (ages 3–5), 20–30 minutes, 2 pages: a Find Six Pots game, the story in short lines with hand motions and repeat-after-me lines, three simple questions, a shortened memory verse ("This beginning of miracles did Jesus") with motions, and a drawing of six waterpots.
Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 45 minutes, 3 pages: a Do It All listening game, the story in simple words, five recall questions with answers, the Six Strips memory verse game, and a Fill to the Brim activity with six cups of water.
3rd to 5th grade, 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: a How Much Water? guessing game with a gallon jug, kids look up every verse of John 2:1–11 in their own Bibles (the firkins, the purifying of the Jews, "Woman" and "mine hour"), five thinking questions and three recall questions, and a Bible look-up race.
Preteens (ages 11–12), 45–60 minutes, 4 pages: students read John 2:1–11 and John 20:30–31 out loud themselves, then discuss bringing needs to Jesus, obeying before you see the reason and "to the brim" obedience. Six discussion questions, a journal page, and two memory verses (John 2:11 and John 2:5).

Lesson at a glance

Bible passage: John 2:1–11
Main point: Jesus has great power, so we do whatever He tells us.
Memory verse: John 2:11 (KJV), with John 2:5 added for preteens
Ages: preschool to preteen, in four versions

Lesson outline (the same in every version)

Opening game: a short game about listening, doing it all, or how much water six stone waterpots held.
Bible story: the marriage in Cana of Galilee, "They have no wine," "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it," six waterpots of stone filled up to the brim, the governor of the feast, "the good wine until now," and "this beginning of miracles." Every fact has its verse reference so you can check it.
Questions to ask: with answers, at the right level for each age.
Memory verse: a game or motions to help kids learn John 2:11.
What this means for us: do whatever Jesus says, the gospel (Acts 2:38), and a challenge for the week.
Activity: the Jesus turns water into wine word search, crossword, maze, worksheet, the water into wine craft, a Fill to the Brim water activity, a Bible look-up race or a journal page, depending on the age.
Prayer.

Tips for teaching Jesus turning water into wine

Read John 2:5 and John 2:7 straight from the Bible. They are the heart of the story: "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it," and "they filled them up to the brim."
The servants were told to fill washing pots and carry some to the man in charge, with no reason given. Kids who find it hard to obey without knowing why can learn from them.
Every game and activity uses only water. Each level has a short teacher note that keeps the focus on Jesus' power and on obeying Him.
Short on time? Do the story, three questions and the memory verse. That is a solid 25-minute lesson.

Frequently asked questions

How long does this water into wine lesson take?

It depends on the age level. The preschool lesson takes 20 to 30 minutes, the kindergarten to 2nd grade lesson about 45 minutes, and the 3rd to 5th grade and preteen lessons 45 to 60 minutes. For a short class, do the story, three questions and the memory verse.

What is the main point of Jesus turning water into wine for kids?

Jesus has great power, so we do whatever He tells us. His mother told the servants, "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it" (John 2:5). They filled six stone waterpots up to the brim (2:7), and Jesus made the water wine. It was His first miracle, and His disciples believed on Him (2:11).

How big were the waterpots at the wedding in Cana?

The Bible says there were six waterpots of stone, "containing two or three firkins apiece" (John 2:6). A firkin was a measure of about 10 gallons, so each pot held about 20 to 30 gallons of water. The servants filled every one of them up to the brim (2:7).

How does this lesson handle the wine in the story?

It tells the miracle in the Bible's own words, "the water that was made wine" (John 2:9), and keeps the focus on Jesus' power and on obeying Him. Every game and activity uses only water. Each level has a short teacher note in case a child asks more.