John 21:1 to 21:14 The risen Jesus cares for all our needs, forgives our mistakes, and lovingly invites us into warm friendship with him. Discover how the disciples fished all night on the Sea of Galilee and caught nothing. See how Jesus told them to throw their net on the right side, catching 153 large fish. Learn that Jesus forgives us when we make mistakes, just as he lovingly restored Peter. At sunrise along the rocky shore of the Sea of Galilee, the risen Jesus appeared to his tired friends, preparing breakfast on a charcoal fire. An Empty Night on the Lake [Peter](/bible/explorer/person/peter) and six other disciples decided to go fishing on the [Sea of Galilee](/bible/explorer/place/sea-of-galilee). They climbed into their boat and cast their heavy net into the dark water over and over all night long. But when dawn began to break, their boat was completely empty! They were cold, tired, and hungry. Cast the Net on the Right Side Just as the morning sun peered over the hills, a figure stood on the shore, though the disciples did not realize it was Jesus. He called out across the water: 'Children, do you have any fish?' They answered sadly, 'No.' Then Jesus said, 'Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.' They threw the net, and instantly it was so full of large fish that they could not pull it into the boat! Come and Have Breakfast John gasped and whispered to Peter: 'It is the Lord!' Hearing that, Peter tied his coat around him and jumped right into the water, swimming as fast as he could to the shore! When they arrived, they saw a charcoal fire glowing with warm fish cooking on it and bread. Jesus smiled warmly and said, 'Come and have breakfast.' Jesus fed his friends, showing that he knows our needs and loves us unconditionally. Jesus said to them, Come and have breakfast. John 21:12 How many fish did the disciples catch before Jesus spoke to them? Zero fish Ten small fish Fifty fish One hundred fish Zero fish They fished all night long in their own strength and caught absolutely nothing. What happened when they obeyed Jesus and threw the net on the right side? The net filled with so many large fish they could hardly pull it The net tore into pieces The boat sank The fish jumped out of the water The net filled with so many large fish they could hardly pull it John 21:6 tells us the net was overflowing with 153 large fish. What did Jesus prepare on the beach for his hungry disciples? A warm charcoal fire with fish cooking and bread A bowl of cereal Nothing at all A pile of cold stones A warm charcoal fire with fish cooking and bread Jesus demonstrated tender care by cooking fish and bread over a warm campfire. Every morning at breakfast this week, thank Jesus for providing good food and for being your loving friend. Dear Jesus, thank you for caring about our daily needs, just like you made breakfast for your tired friends on the beach. Thank you for forgiving me when I make mistakes. Help me follow you and love you more every day. Amen. Why do you think Peter jumped into the water and swam to shore when he heard it was Jesus? How does knowing Jesus cares about small daily things (like breakfast) comfort you? Early readers learn that the risen Jesus provides for our daily physical needs and tenderly restores us when we fail. Bring a clean toy fishing net or cardboard fish cutouts. Ask children if they have ever worked really hard at something and felt tired. Reveal how Jesus met his friends right at their point of exhaustion! Why did Jesus ask Peter three times 'Do you love me?' Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times before the cross. Jesus lovingly gave Peter three opportunities to say 'I love you' and restored him as a leader. 5 min Net Hook, 15 min Shoreline Story, 10 min Memory Verse Drill, 10 min Discussion, 5 min Prayer