Unit 3: Miracles of Jesus NT3.1 Jesus' First Miracle...

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NT3.1 Jesus' First Miracle--Wedding at Cana © Beverly Wilson 2015

Unit 3: Miracles of Jesus NT3.1 Jesus' First Miracle: Wedding at Cana

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Lesson Goal: A short time after Jesus was baptized and his disciples had begun to follow Him, He was invited

to a wedding feast in Cana. In this lesson we will see how Jesus showed His power by performing a miracle. Jesus performed miracles to help people know that He is God.

Introduction: This is the first lesson in Unit 3:The Miracles of Jesus. The life and ministry of Jesus is told to us in the first four books of the New Testament. This lesson is found in the book of John. This book is part of the Gospels. The Gospels are the first four books in the New Testament. The gospels tell about the life and ministry of Jesus. The word "gospel" means the good news about Jesus. Let's say the names of the gospels together. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Attention Getter: Today I am going to see an amazing feat of magic. I am going to take the plain, ordinary water in this glass pitcher and turn it into wine. Would anyone like to taste this water to make sure that it is just plain water? OK, now that we know that this is just a pitcher of plain water, I will perform my magic. (Pour the water into the opaque pitcher with Kool-Aid in the bottom.) Now, I will take my magic spoon and stir the water. Now, watch this! (Pour the Kool-Aid into the glass.) Isn't that the most amazing thing you have ever seen? How did I do that? Do you think there was something in the bottom of this glass? What could that be? Do you think it is sugar? How about Kool-Aid? So was this magical? No! The truth is, there was nothing magical about what happened. In the bottom of this pitcher was a package of grape Kool-Aid. I didn't turn water into wine...all I did was turn water into Kool-Aid. Anyone can do that! I did this silly little "magic" trick this morning to start us to thinking about the miracles that Jesus performed. Notice that I said, "Miracles" not "Magic." During his time on earth, Jesus performed many miracles. He healed the sick, he raised the dead, he walked on water, and he fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish. These miracles could not be explained by a simple trick. They were things that only God could do. Our Bible lesson today tells of the very first miracle of Jesus -- turning water into wine. Alternative: Show wedding pictures of parents or other couples in your church. Ask students if they have ever been to a wedding or been an attendant in a wedding. Discuss the events that happen at a wedding and the meaning of a Christian wedding.

Opening Prayer: Let's pray. Father, thank You for sending Jesus to show Your power and take our sins away. You performed many miracles to prove that you were really God. Help us to believe in you as our Savior and Lord. Help us look to You for help in every situation. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Memory Verse: Our memory verse is Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Lesson Video: https://youtu.be/c7nmSVjQiKk

Miracles are supernatural events that show us God’s real power over nature. For example, Jesus healed sick people, restored sight to a blind man, he made a lame man walk, and He even revived a dead man back to life. A miracle is something that only God can do. Jesus performed miracles to help people know that He is God. Have you ever been invited to a wedding? What was it like? Was there a big banquet with lots of things to eat and drink? Were there a lot of people there having a good time? Here is a picture of Emily, Andrea and Evan when they went to their cousin Ryan's wedding. Everyone was all dressed up in their best clothes!

https://youtu.be/c7nmSVjQiKk

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Did you know that even Jesus went to parties? Jesus and the disciples along with his mother Mary were invited to a great wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Almost everyone in town was there. Wedding celebrations at that time often went on for a week! When Jesus and his disciples came into the wedding, they must have thought, "What a big crowd! They certainly have a lot of guests." Jesus probably introduced his followers--Peter, James, John, and Andrew to everyone. People were very happy and glad to see each other. Everyone was having a good time at this wedding in Cana. They were making toasts to the bride and groom and wishing them much happiness when something very embarrassing happened. They ran out of wine! Jesus' mother wanted to help so she quietly went to Jesus. She pointed out the problem to Jesus. She said, "They have no more wine." Perhaps she was hoping that he could help solve the problem for this family. But Jesus said, "Why are you involving me? I can't help you right now; it is not my time." Jesus was saying that He wasn't ready to reveal that he was the Messiah. She knew that Jesus was kind and compassionate and wouldn’t want them to be humiliated in front of all their guests. So Mary said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” Jesus knew just what to do. He saw that there were six huge water jars standing nearby. Each pot held from twenty to thirty gallons of water and were used to wash people's feet when they arrived at the feast. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they obeyed and filled each one to the brim. They must have wondered why they were doing this. They needed wine, not water! Then Jesus told them, “Now dip some out and take it to the master of the wedding banquet.” As they poured the water into the cup something amazing happened. the water changed color! "Look!" they cried; "It isn't water anymore—it looks like wine!" With wonder and amazement, they took a cup to the bride's father. He had no idea what had been going on, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. He tasted the wine and was amazed! Then he called the bridegroom aside

and said, “"Where did you get this wine? It is the best I have ever tasted!"

The guests all crowded around, holding up their cups for refills, asking the same questions about where it came from. "You're certainly a different kind of host. Usually the best wine is used first. Then afterward, when everyone has had plenty and doesn't care, the cheaper kind is brought out. But you have kept the best wine for last!"

Then the servants told their story. "We saw it with our own eyes," they insisted over and over again. "It was a

miracle, a miracle, nothing less!" And the whole crowd agreed. When Jesus' disciples realized that he had turned ordinary water into fine wine they believed in Him. It was the first miracle Jesus did to show His power and glory. He helped a family from being humiliated in front of their guests. Jesus loves people and wants to take care of their needs. This was the first miracle Jesus performed. When the disciples saw it they believed that He was truly God the Son. The miracle showed his power. That was always the reason that Jesus performed a miracle. He didn't do it so that he would become popular or well-liked. He did it so that all would believe that he was God's Son who had come to save them. In this story the family at the wedding needed more wine. Jesus met their need. He loved them and wanted the best for the family. He took care of them. Did you know that Jesus will take care of your needs, too. Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” We can trust that God will meet all our needs. Whatever we need on earth and whatever we need in heaven Jesus will supply! Isn't that a wonderful promise? Let's say our verse again together. Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Do you know what your greatest need is? Your greatest need is forgiveness for your sins. Because without that, you cannot see God. Sometimes our hearts are filled with the wrong things, such as bad attitudes and thoughts.

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We can change how we look on the outside, but only Jesus can change what’s on the inside. We can ask for His help just like Mary did! He can change us just like He changed the water into wine. Jesus is the Son of God and has power to change anything. He can change the worst sinner into a child of God! All we have to do is believe that Jesus died for our sin on the cross and ask Him to be our savior. He loves us and wants to save us. One day there will be a wedding in heaven and you have been invited to attend! At this wedding Jesus will be the groom and His church will be the bride. Anyone who has asked Jesus to be their personal Savior will be there. The church is called the bride of Christ. God created marriage between a man and woman to be a picture of our relationship with Him. He wants a husband and a wife to enjoy a close and personal relationship. And, in the same way He wants us to enjoy a close personal relationship with Him for all eternity. And it all starts when we are born again. Remember! We can trust God to meet our needs! Believe in Jesus today!

Review Questions: Grape Relay (Grades K-5) Place a bunch of seedless grapes on a table at one end of the room along with toothpicks and a timer. Pull all the grapes off the stem and place them in a bowl or on a napkin. At the opposite end of the table place an empty bowl. Have children form a vertical line next to the grapes, tooth picks and timer. Explain to the children that they will take a toothpick, stab it into the grape and carry it down to the bowl and lay it in the bowl, toothpick and all. They then hurry back to the line and the next child takes a turn. The child who is putting a grape into the bowl when the timer goes off must answer one of the following review questions. Give one point for correctly answering the question. Encourage them to try and get all the grapes into the bowl before the time runs out.

1. Where did Jesus perform His first miracle? (In Cana of Galilee.) 2. What book of the Bible tells this story of Jesus turning the water into wine? (John) 3. What celebration was Jesus attending? (A wedding.) 4. Who else was at the wedding that Jesus knew well? (His mother.) 5. What did they run out of at the feast? (wine.) 6. What did Jesus tell the servants to do? (fill the large pots with water.) 7. What did Jesus do with the water in the jar? (Turned it into wine.) 8. Who did Jesus tell them to take a cup of the wine to? (the master of the wedding feast or the bride's

father) 9. How do you think the guests and disciples reacted when Jesus turned water to wine? (surprised that the

master of the wedding feast saved the best wine for last; were surprised when they found out what Jesus had done.)

10. What would you have said to Jesus if you had been at the wedding? (Wow, that was amazing. You really are the Son of God.)

11. What is the difference between a miracle and magic? (Anyone can do a magic trick but only God can perform a miracle.)

12. Why do you think Jesus performed a miracle at the wedding? (To show the people that he was the Son of God; to help the family solve the problem of running out of wine.

13. What miracles does God perform today? (God heals people; He provides for us when we least expect it; He leads us the way we should go.)

14. Can we ask Jesus for help today, too? (Absolutely, we are commanded to ask for help. Jesus wants to help us.)

15. What need do we have today that Jesus can meet? (Our need for salvation and the forgiveness of sin.) 16. What wedding will we one day attend in heaven? (The wedding feast of the Lamb. Jesus is the

bridegroom and the church is the bride.)

Bible Memory Verse Activity: Jug Power Walk (Grades K-5) Our memory verse is Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” We can trust that God will meet all our needs. Whatever we need on earth and whatever we need in heaven Jesus will supply! Isn't that a wonderful promise? Let's say our verse again together. Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Have children locate the verse in scripture. Read the verse together several times.

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Print the memory verse on the drawings of the water jugs (template below). Write one or two words of the verse to each water jug. Glue or tape the water jugs to the large sheets of drawing paper or poster board. Place a Post-It Note on each paper near the words. Number the papers in verse order, writing numbers on the Post-It Notes. Tape papers randomly around on the classroom walls. Play a song on the CD player and have the students walk around the room. When the music stops each student must place his or her hand on the nearest paper. More than one students may touch each paper. Students touching the papers with the first phrase must read the phrase aloud. Then the group touching the second phrase must read that phrase aloud. Continue until the entire verse has been read in the correct order. Repeat the activity. After several rounds remove the Post-It Notes to see if the students can remember the order of the words. Discuss: "What is something that you learned today about Jesus and His power? (His power shows that He is God because He can do miracles.) What are some reasons that we can depend on Jesus for His help? ( He loves us. He has the power to hlep us. He always keeps His promises. There is nothing that is too hard for Him.)

Group Learning Activity: Water Jar Relay (Grades 3-5) Say: "In our lesson today we learned that people in Bible times used jars to carry their water from a well back to their homes. Getting enough water for a whole family was a big job and the water carriers would have to make many trips to get the job done. To find out how people did this activity, we are going to have a relay carrying water like Bible times." Optional: Go outside to play the game.) Divide the group into two teams. Pour water into a plastic pitcher or bowl for each team. First student from each team is to carry the pitcher or bowl on his head across the classroom to a line marked on the sidewalk and then return to the beginning of the line, where the next person in the team repeats the activity. The winning team is the one which has all of its members carry the water the distance and back first. (Provide extra pitchers of water for those that are dropped or a supply of water to refill the pitchers.) Alternative: Divide the children into teams and give each team a jug of water and a spoon and pot. Each team player will take his turn in spooning some water into the pot and run back to the team for the next player to spoon water into the pot. Continue until the timer runs out and then see which team has the most water in the pot!

Group Learning Game: Target Talk (Grades 3-5) Say: "Why do you think that Jesus' mother ask Him for help? (The people at the wedding feast unexpectedly ran out of wine to drink. She believed that Jesus could help with the situation.) Today we are going to play a game to help us think of ways and times that we can ask Jesus for help. Preparation: Make a target from a large sheet of 11" X 16" drawing paper or poster board. Using a marker Divide the area into twelve equal squares. In the center of each of the squares write a the name of an everyday place. (Ex. school, grocery store, mall, playground, gym, ball field, home, library, computer center, hospital, etc.) Students are then to stand in a circle around the targets (at least 3 feet from the nearest target. Students take turns tossing a penny at the targets. When their penny lands in a square, students are to tell why they might need help from God in that place. Encourage students to talk about ways they could receive and depend on Jesus' help in different situations. Students are to leave their penny on the target. Continue until all students have had an opportunity to toss their penny onto the target. (You can use this target game on top of a table but have the students flick or spin their penny onto the target.)

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Group Learning Activity: Wedding Dress Dress-Up (Grades K-3) Preparation: Find an old used wedding dress or white formal for students to dress up like they would for a wedding. The bride especially likes to wear an old veil. You can use flower girl dresses for the attendants. Drape the room with tulle or netting. Bring ties, big shirts and hats for the boys. Make a "centerpiece" out of silk flowers and bouquets for the bride and her attendants.. Consider taking photos of students in their dress up attire. Have some white cupcakes decorated with white icing for wedding cakes or "petites fours" for snacks. Drink grape juice for a snack. Discuss what it means to get married and some different traditions that people have at weddings.

Group Learning Activity: "Dress the Bride" (Grades 3-5) Say: "Today's lesson was about a special wedding ceremony that Jesus attended. We are going to pretend that we are having a wedding today. We will divide into teams and dress our brides for the special occasion." Divide the class into groups of 4 or 5 children. Have each group take a roll of toilet paper and dress one of their members as a "bride" with the toilet paper. When each group is done, judge the best or most creative "bride".

Group Learning Activity: Make Grape Juice (Grades K-3) Say: "In our Bible lesson today Jesus made water into wine. He didn't use the method we are going to use because He simply created it! We are going to use a different method but it will help us to see why the people at the wedding were so amazed at what Jesus did!" Materials: Bunch of Concord grapes (or any other juice-making grapes); Wire-mesh strainer; Wooden spoon Drinking glass (one for each child); Can of frozen grape juice; Pitcher; Water; Apron or smock for each child; Newspaper; Bowl. Teacher should spread newspaper out on the floor. Procedure: Have each child put on a smock or apron that completely covers their clothes. Have them sit in a circle around the newspaper. Explain to them that there are several ways to make grape juice. Give each child a turn mashing grapes around in the wire-mesh strainer. Pour any juice into a glass. Comment on how hard and how much time it made to make so little juice. Next, let them assist you in making juice out of the frozen can. Share some grape juice with each child in the class. Be sure to say, "Jesus did need to use these methods for creating wine. He spoke and it happened. He is God so He is very powerful and able to do things that we cannot do."

Group Learning Activity: "Do Whatever He Tells You" (Grades K-3) Say: "Jesus' mother knew that Jesus was the Son of God. She knew that He had great power. That is why she told the servants to do whatever He tells you to do. Today we are going to play a game to see if you can "do whatever he tells you to do." Remember you must do the activity only if the leader says, "Do whatever He tells you before he tells the activity to do. Let's see you can be the best servant and obey the commands of Jesus." The teacher will call on one of the children and tell the children to "do whatever he/she tells you to" and then the child will hop, skip, jump, sing, dance, praise God, etc. After the children have followed the child's directions, the teacher will call on someone else and will tell the children to "do whatever He tells you to" etc. Give everyone an opportunity to do something for the class to follow.

Group Learning Activity: Wine Colored Jelly Goblets (Grades K-3) Materials: Give each child in your class a plastic disposable wine goblet (available from your discount store; 1 or 2 packets of black currant or grape flavored jello crystals; measuring jug or clear water; access to hot water. Directions: Give each child their own goblet. Sprinkle the jello crystals on the bottom of the a large pitcher. Fill a measuring jug with the correct amount of hot water as shown on the jelly pack. (Use less boiling water and more cold to make it set quicker.) Carefully pour the hot water into the crystals while the children watch. Presto! The water becomes "wine" in the bowl. Let students stir their jello water. Help them pour the jello water into their goblets and put them in a refrigerator to cool and set. Optional: If you are limited on time for the jello to set or the availability of a refrigerator, you can prepare the jello in the goblets ahead. Demonstrate how grape jello is made in class.

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Craft Learning Activity: Picture Wheel (Grades K-3) Materials: 2-9" paper plates for each child; printed copy of the picture wheel below. Find and make a small hole in the center point of the plate. Make a 1" circle around the center point of the plate. Measure and draw a 3 1/2: line along the parameter of the plate's circle and a 1 1/2" line around the parameter of the center point circle. Connect the lines making a wedge. See picture. Cut out the wedge. Set aside a second plate for use with the activity. Print the picture circles below. Distribute the uncut paper plates, the picture circles, crayons, and glue sticks. Have the children color the pictures and then center them in the middle of plate. Glue picture to plate. (Make sure the picture circles are in the center of the plate. As children are coloring, poke a small hole where indicated through the center of their pictures and through the plates. Distribute the paper plates you prepared and the brass fasteners. Have each child place the cut plate on top of the picture plate. Have them attach the plates using their brass fasteners. Demonstrate how to spin the plates around to show what happened at the wedding in Cana.

Craft Learning Activity: Modeling Clay Jars (Grades K-5) Have students create their own stone jars from modeling clay. You may need to help them shape the jars. Encourage the students to do the best they can; jars don't have to be perfect. After they've finished their jars, give each student a toothpick and have them etch into the jar something that they believe about Jesus. Encourage the students to take home their stone jars as reminders of Jesus' first miracle and to help them remember they can believe that Jesus is God. An easy way to help student make jars is to have the students roll the clay into a long rope. Loop the rope of clay around and around, one loop laying on top of another until the jar if formed.

Craft Learning Activity: Beaded Bands (Grades 3-5) Materials: Bibles, scissors, stringing materials (gold or silver chenille wires, yarn string, or narrow leather strips), measuring stick, a variety of beads (metallic pony beads, acrylic faceted beads), small bowls. Preparation: Cut the stringing material into 12 inch (30 cm) lengths. You may want to provide more than one length for each student so that students can make wrist bands and ankle bands. Place beads in separate bowls. Put a variety of beads on several paper plates around the table so that students will not have to move around the table to find the beads they want to use. Say: "What kinds of things do people wear today to dress up for weddings or parties? How is that different from what your parents wore to dress up when they were your age? (Volunteers answer.) When the people in bible times dressed up for a wedding feast like the one in our story today, they often wore beaded wristbands and ankle bands with their simple clothing. Today we are going to make beaded bands like Bible times people wore." Directions: Distribute stringing material and set bowls of beads on table. Encourage students to experiment with a variety of bead patterns before stringing the beads. To finish the bands, either tie the stringing material into a knot or if using chenille wires, twist the ends of the wire together. Cut off any excess.

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Craft Learning Activity: Wedding Rice Bags (Grades 3-5) Materials needed: One square of tightly woven mesh or nylon netting, approx. 3" x 3", per child, various colors would be nice; One piece of ribbon, approx. 5" long, per child; Enough birdseed or rice for each child to have approx. 1 Tbsp.) Say: "Have you ever been to a wedding? (Encourage brief answers of who and where) Do you know what a "tradition" is? (Let them answer) What are some of the traditions we have in American weddings? (Encourage different answers. Throwing the bouquet, Tossing birdseed or rice, The couple cutting the cake together) Do you know any other countries wedding traditions? (Russia-Dance with kicking their feet way out and crossing their arms, Cambodian- Tie bride and grooms hands together with a thread and hold money in the brides mouth, Jewish-Carry bride and groom around the room up on chairs in the air). One of the American traditions is throwing rice or bird seed and today we are going to make a little bird seed wedding packet. (Pass out mesh squares, ribbons, and a small amount of bird seed. Help them to put the bird seed into the middle of the square and pull the corners up and tie with the ribbon. Remind them not to open these packages in the church.)

Craft Learning Activity: "I Believe" Grape Juice or Water Bottles (Grades K-6) Give each child a small bottle or box of grape juice or a water bottle. Take the labels off the bottle or box. Provide children with a strip of paper to write "I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES", or "DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU" or "JESUS TURNED WATER INTO WINE" or other phrases from today's lesson. Wrap the paper strips around the bottle of juice and tape to

the bottle. Let children drink from their grape juice bottles during snack time.

Optional: Decorate a water bottle by gluing the label out of paper onto the bottle. Fill the bottle with water. Pour red or purple glitter into the bottle. Glue or tape the lid to the water bottle to keep it shut. Shake the water bottle vigorously to make the water look purple. Warning: Be sure children cannot open the bottle and drink the water!

Life Application Challenge: Power of God Say: "Jesus fixed a problem at the wedding when He turned the water into wine. He demonstrated that He had great power and that He was God. Jesus wants to fix us too when we are broken. He forgives us when we sin and become far away from Him." Discuss with the students ways that they can seek God to help them. Stress that God wants to meet their needs and He is able to accomplish what they could never do alone. God wants us to believe in Him and trust Him. Ask the children to look for ways this week that they can seek God's help. Ask the children to say one thing that they believe about Jesus. Begin by saying something you believe. " I believe that Jesus is the Son of God; I believe that Jesus turned the water into wine; I believe that Jesus was God and He had His power to do miracles; etc. Close with a prayer thanking God for giving Jesus the power to do miracles.

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Jesus' First Miracle--The Wedding at Cana John 2: 1-11

Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

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Unit 3: Miracles of Jesus NT3.1 Jesus' First Miracle...

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