This preschool lesson plan is based on Jesus teaching in the upper room on the night of his arrest. It reminds us about the essential connection that every believer must maintain with Jesus. This personal relationship is the practical expression of faith and the pattern of Christian living.
Lesson Title: The Vine and the Branches
Bible Reference: John 15:1-8
Target Age Group: Preschool
Learning Context: Sunday School
Target Time Frame: One Hour
Memory Verse: “I are the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Gospel Connection: In order to be fruitful Christians we must remain in Christ. This lesson strives to teach children that it is important to stay close to Christ if we want to do his will. Christ is like the vine and we are like the fruit. As long as we are attached to the vine we are growing and thriving. But if we are separated from the vine we begin to shrivel and die. The only way to thrive in life is by staying in God’s will.
Learning Aim:
- Children will learn that we should be connected to Christ like fruit is connected to a vine.
Basic Supply List:
- Bible
- One bunch of ripe grapes
- Some rotten grapes
- Construction Paper
- Glue
- Brown Paper towels
- Pom-poms
- Pipe cleaners
Note: In the teaching plan below the words in italics are meant to be read aloud. The regular text is simply directions for the teacher.
> > > > Basic Teaching Plan < < < <
Introduction: Begin by greeting each child and playing the game: Stick together. To play this game, have all the children and the teacher hold hands in a circle. The teacher will then let go of one hand and lead the children in a line throughout the classroom. The object of the game is for everyone to stay connected throughout the whole game. The teacher should weave back and forth to make a little bit harder to play.
Biblical Evidence: Bring all of the children together and have then sit down for the lesson. Have a bunch of ripe grapes (or whatever fruit is available in your area that has a vine/stem) still connected to the vine ready to show the children. You will use this fruit to explain today’s lesson. Show them the grapes and say, What are these? Allow children to respond. Say, Yes, these are grapes. Grapes taste good and are a healthy thing for us to eat. How do these grapes grow? Allow responses. These grapes are attached to a vine. The vine is a very important part of the plant because the vine collects the water and sunlight and allows the grapes to grow. What do you think would happen if the grapes were not attached to vine? If the grapes were not attached to the vine, they would die. At this point in the lesson, show the class some grapes that are not attached to a vine and have gone bad. Have the kids point out the differences in the two sets of grapes. The ripe grapes are good, while the rotten grapes are squishy, molding and stinky. Say, In life, we are like grapes and Jesus is like the vine. As long as we stay close to Jesus (or attached to the vine) we will do good things. The farther away from God that we are, the harder it is to do good. We need God to live, just like the grapes need their vine to live. God is our vine.
Jesus taught us about the vine and the branches in John 15. Let’s read that now. Read John 15:1-8 to the class. Say, Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. The closer we are to Jesus the better. If you are close to Jesus, you will do things like praise him, pray to him, and tell others about him. You will be less selfish because you will want to be more like him. Don’t let your life we useless like the rotten grapes, make your life be useful.
Vine And Fruit Craft: Use construction paper, brown paper towels, pom-poms, and glue to make a fruit and vine picture. Roll up a piece of brown paper towel so that it looks like a vine and glue it to the construction paper. Then, glue pom-poms onto the brown paper towel. The paper towel will symbolize the vine and the pom-poms are the fruit.
Stay on the Vine: To play this game, have all the kids stand one in front of the other with their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of you. The kids will move around in a circle. If anyone lets go, they have to leave the game. The goal is to keep everyone on the vine.
Pick up the Fruit: For this game give each child two pipe cleaners (vines) and a handful of pom-poms (fruit). Challenge them to pick up the pom-poms using only the pipe cleaners and move them from the pile to a bowl. Remind them that in life they must stay connected to God. This game is great for younger kids who need help with fine motor skills.
Bible Verse Review: Do the following actions as you say the Bible verse.
“I am the vine” –Move arms around in the air.
“you are the branches” –Stand as still as a tree with your hands up.
“If a man remains in me and I in him,” –Hug your arms around your body.
“He will bear much fruit.” –Act like you are picking fruit off of a tree.
“Apart from me you can do nothing.” –Hold your arms apart with your palms out.
Conclusion: Close the lesson by having the class hold hands and praying for them, asking God to keep them close to him.