The True Vine
Theme: To bear fruit, we must be connected to Jesus.
Scripture: John 15:1-8
Get Ready: Click here to get your complete supply list for this lesson.
The Children’s Sermon
You’ll Need:
● A lamp
● An extension cord
● A tree branch
Get Ready: You will need to be near an outlet. Make sure your lamp is NOT plugged
in as you begin the children’s sermon.
Do This:
SAY: I’m sure you all know the song, "This Little Light of Mine." I’m going to sing it,
and I want you to sing along. While we do, I’ll hold up this light and shine it all
around. (Start to sing the song, but stop when you notice that the light isn't shining.)
What’s wrong? My light isn't shining. (Wait until someone notices that it isn't plugged
in.) Oh, the problem is, my light isn't plugged in. (Plug the lamp in).
Now that we’re plugged in, let’s try it again. (Lead kids in singing.)
That was much better with the lamp shining brightly. It's pretty hard for a light to
shine when it isn't connected to the power source. Actually, it’s not just hard; it’s
impossible!
It reminds me of something Jesus said in the Bible. He told His disciples a story to
help them understand why it’s important to stay connected to Him. But He didn’t
use a lamp. In His example there was a grapevine. A vine is a plant with a lot of
branches growing out from it. The branches have fruit on them. So grapevines
have grapes on them.
Think about a branch that’s been broken off of a tree or a vine. (Hold up tree
branch). What happens to it? It withers up and dies. It can’t ever have fruit on it
again; it’s not good for anything except firewood. (Discard broken tree branch).
Jesus said, "I am the vine and you are the branches. If you remain in Me, you will
have much fruit, but apart from Me, you can do nothing." Jesus wants us to
produce fruit. Good fruit, like kindness, generosity, and faithfulness. Most of all,
He wants us to love others as He has loved us.
But we can’t do it on our own. Just as the lamp must be plugged in before its light
can shine, and just as the branches must be connected to the vine before they can
produce fruit, you and I must stay connected to Jesus to produce the good fruit
that God expects of us.
PRAY: Dear God, help us remember that we need to stay plugged into Jesus if
we’re going to produce the kind of fruit you expect. In Jesus' name, amen.
Meet the Vine
You’ll Need:
● “Meet the Vine” video
● Something to play the video
Do This:
Show them the video.
ASK:
● Explain what you learned about the Vine.
● How can knowing about the Vine change the way you live?
Grapevine Snacks
You’ll Need:
● Toothpicks - two per child
● Green and red grape bunches
● Paper plates - one per child
● Napkins - one per child
Do This:
SAY: (Hold up a grape bunch.) Do you see how these grapes are attached tightly to
the vine? When they fall off, they lose the nutrients they need. Let’s make our own
grapevine snacks with our toothpicks and grapes.
Follow these steps to make the “Grapevine Snacks”:
● Give each child a paper plate, a napkin, and a couple of toothpicks.
● Instruct kids to attach as many grapes as they can to their toothpicks.
● Invite kids to count their grapes and see if anyone has more than anyone else.
● Enjoy! Warning - grapes are a choking hazard for younger kids. Even though
these are grade school kids, watch kids closely as they eat their grapes.
ASK:
● What fruits have you seen Jesus grow in your life?
● What fruits do you most want Jesus to grow in your life? Why?
Vine Cups
You’ll Need:
● Small paper cups - one per child
● Soil
● Markers
● Tomato seeds
● Water
Do This:
To make the “Vine Cups” have kids follow these steps:
● Give each child a cup.
● Invite kids to decorate their cups with today’s memory verse.
● Instruct kids to put some soil in their cups.
● Have them add a couple of tomato seeds and cover them with more soil.
● Instruct kids to put a bit of water on their seeds.
SAY: What are the tomatoes connected to? They grow on a vine. Take your tomato
plant home and be sure to give it plenty of sun and water. Check it daily for growth
and report back on how your plant is doing. When your plant gets bigger, you may
need to replant it in the ground. How exciting to see if you can grow some
tomatoes on your vines.
Complete Supply List:
● A lamp
● An extension cord
● A tree branch
● “Meet the Vine” video
● Something to play the video
● Toothpicks - two per child
● Green and red grape bunches
● Paper plates - one per child
● Napkins - one per child
● Small paper cups - one per child
● Soil
● Markers
● Tomato seeds
● Water
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