Got a Wedding Coming Up?
Jesus' First Miracle
Jesus performed many miracles, but do you know which one was his first, according to the Gospel of John? It took place at a celebration like one your family might be attending this spring: a wedding
Needed
Bible or text on last page. Optional: photos of a family wedding.
Activity Plan
1. Say this prayer together to begin:
Dear Lord, keep our eyes, ears, and hearts open as we read and learn from your Word. Amen.
2. Open your Bible to John 2:1-11, or use the text below and have two people read the story aloud, alternating verses. Beginning readers may enjoy reading in unison with an adult.
3. After reading the story, spend a moment recalling weddings your family has attended. What do you enjoy most about weddings?
Option: Show photos of a family wedding and tell a few stories about that day.
4. Work together to retell the story of the Wedding Feast at Cana in your own words.
(Here’s an example: Just like today, weddings back in Jesus' day were a time to celebrate. Following most weddings there was a party with food and drinks. At a wedding party at Cana, Mary overheard those in charge of the food and drink say they were almost out of wine, which was the most popular drink at the party. When she heard this, she wanted to help, and knew just what to do: ask Jesus. But when she first asked Jesus to help, he told her, “No.” She probably responded with "the look." The look told Jesus, "Yes, you can." Then Mary told the servants to do whatever Jesus said to do. Jesus changed six jars of water into delicious wine that everyone loved. This was his first miracle! The disciples, who were at the wedding, too, and had seen what happened, were amazed. They began to believe that Jesus truly is the Son of God!)
5. Discuss the story, using the following questions:
• Why do you think Jesus performed this miracle?
• Does your parent have a special “look” that he or she gives you to let you know you need to do something? When have you received this "look?" Do you think that Mary and Jesus had a special way of
communicating, just like you may have with a parent? Why or why not?
• Jesus' mother knew he was God’s Son and that he would do great things—and Jesus was inspired by his mother's faith. Can you think of a time when your parents demonstrated that they had great faith and confidence in you? What difference did this make?
• What tells you that Jesus listened to his mother, Mary? Even though he was God, he honored his mother and listened to her request. When is a time you honored and listened to your mother or father?
The Wedding at Cana -- John 2:1-11
1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.
3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”
4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.
7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it.
9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom
10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”
11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
Jesus performed many miracles, but do you know which one was his first, according to the Gospel of John? It took place at a celebration like one your family might be attending this spring: a wedding
Needed
Bible or text on last page. Optional: photos of a family wedding.
Activity Plan
1. Say this prayer together to begin:
Dear Lord, keep our eyes, ears, and hearts open as we read and learn from your Word. Amen.
2. Open your Bible to John 2:1-11, or use the text below and have two people read the story aloud, alternating verses. Beginning readers may enjoy reading in unison with an adult.
3. After reading the story, spend a moment recalling weddings your family has attended. What do you enjoy most about weddings?
Option: Show photos of a family wedding and tell a few stories about that day.
4. Work together to retell the story of the Wedding Feast at Cana in your own words.
(Here’s an example: Just like today, weddings back in Jesus' day were a time to celebrate. Following most weddings there was a party with food and drinks. At a wedding party at Cana, Mary overheard those in charge of the food and drink say they were almost out of wine, which was the most popular drink at the party. When she heard this, she wanted to help, and knew just what to do: ask Jesus. But when she first asked Jesus to help, he told her, “No.” She probably responded with "the look." The look told Jesus, "Yes, you can." Then Mary told the servants to do whatever Jesus said to do. Jesus changed six jars of water into delicious wine that everyone loved. This was his first miracle! The disciples, who were at the wedding, too, and had seen what happened, were amazed. They began to believe that Jesus truly is the Son of God!)
5. Discuss the story, using the following questions:
• Why do you think Jesus performed this miracle?
• Does your parent have a special “look” that he or she gives you to let you know you need to do something? When have you received this "look?" Do you think that Mary and Jesus had a special way of
communicating, just like you may have with a parent? Why or why not?
• Jesus' mother knew he was God’s Son and that he would do great things—and Jesus was inspired by his mother's faith. Can you think of a time when your parents demonstrated that they had great faith and confidence in you? What difference did this make?
• What tells you that Jesus listened to his mother, Mary? Even though he was God, he honored his mother and listened to her request. When is a time you honored and listened to your mother or father?
The Wedding at Cana -- John 2:1-11
1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.
3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.”
4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
6 Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.
7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it.
9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom
10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.”
11 This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.