Unit 2:
I am the Vine and You are the Branches
The Parable of the Vine
Lesson Plan:
Duration: approximately 30 minutes
Bible Truth Being Taught/Learning Objective: The student(s) will learn that Jesus calls himself the Vine and they are the branches. The reason he does this is to show that we are all united to Christ as closely as a branch is to a vine. They will also learn that just like a vine bears fruit, Jesus will help us to grow and bring good into the world. References to Scripture: John 15 Supplemental Materials Needed:
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Unit 2: Lesson Overview Download | |
File Size: | 226 kb |
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First let's read/listen to a prayer: Jesus, You are the vine and we are the branches. Help us to stay as close to You as the fruit on the vine. Give us the strength to always do what is right and good. By our good works, we will know that we are connected to you. Amen.
A. Background
1. Let's talk about a tree and it's parts (branches, trunk, leaves, roots). They are all connected and all a part of the same thing. A vine is just like a tree, but we see more trees. Vines produce fruit and the fruit is connected by the branch.
2. Here's a picture of a vine that is alive. Fruit is connected to the vine and the vine is growing. Just like a tree, all the parts are connected and growing together.
3. Here's a picture of a vine that is no longer growing. It no longer produces any fruit.
5. Now, let's go back to the vine. Let's watch this video that shows a vine growing and producing fruit.
B. Introduce the Story
- Jesus had twelve friends who followed Him and helped Him teach. Sometimes a lot of people came to see and listen to Jesus. When they went home, Jesus told His friends even more about what He had been saying. This helped them be better teachers.
- Here's one of Jesus' stories. Please listen while we read the story of the vine. Remember that a vine is just like a tree.
- Read the parable of the vine- Read aloud John 15: 5, 7 : (Below is an adpated CEV version)
5 I am the vine, and you are the branches. Stay joined to me so you can be part of my teaching. But you cannot do anything without me. 7 Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you.
4. Discussion Questions:
1. Who is the vine? (Jesus)
2. Who are the branches? (We are.)
3. Have you ever picked fruit before? (Yes or no.) Fruit can't grow anymore when it's not on the vine. If it comes off of the vine too early, it has to be thrown away because it's not ready to be eaten and even it might make you sick.
4. What happens if the fruit stays on the vine until it's ripe or ready to be picked? (It keeps growing and getting bigger and more delicious.)
5. Eventually, when the fruit is ready, it is picked off the vine and will be shared with others. More fruit will grow in it's place.
6. Knowing about and loving Jesus is like growing on the vine. To keep growing, we must stay close to Jesus then we can share with others. One way to do this is talking to Him, also called praying.
7. Below is a picture of people talking to Jesus and praying.
Here is the supplemental visual for this bible verse. Below is a link to a printable version of the document.
I am the Vine Supplemental Visual Download | |
File Size: | 2718 kb |
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C. Display:
1. Let's watch/ listen to "This Little Light of Mine." (If you've done Unit 1: Light of the World, ask: Do you remember the song "This Little Light of Mine?" Let's watch it again.)
2. Help me sing this song. While we sing, I’m going to hold this light up and let it shine all around. (The lamp should not be plugged in. Start to sing the song, but stop when you notice that the light isn't shining.)
3. I wonder what is wrong. My light isn't shining. Oh, here's the problem. My light isn't plugged in.
4. Now that we are plugged in, let’s try it again. (Sing) Oh, that was much better. The lamp was shining brightly, wasn't it?
5. It's pretty hard for a light to shine when it isn't plugged in. Well, actually, it isn't just hard -- it's impossible!
6. In our Bible lesson today, Jesus told His friends a story about how important it is to stay connected to Him.
7. There were no lamps when Jesus taught. Instead, Jesus talked about a vine.
8. We talked about trees and vines. We see more trees than vines. A vine is a plant with lots of branches. The branches have fruit on them. A grapevine should have grapes growing on it. See- look at these grapes. They are the fruit of the grapevine.
9. Have you ever seen a branch that has been broken off of a tree or a vine? What happens to it? That's right, it withers up and dies. Can it ever have any fruit on it again? No, it isn't any good for anything -- except fire wood.
10. 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."
11. Jesus wants us to produce a lot of fruit. He doesn't mean we're grow grapes or apples on our body. He means being kind, generous, and talking to Him. Most of all, he wants us to love others. He loves us so much.
12. Can we do that on our own? No way. The lamp has to be plugged in before its light can shine. The branches must be connected to the vine to grow fruit. We must always talk to Jesus and listen to what he says.
~~BREAK POINT~~
D. Activity
(There are varying activities for a range of abilities- please choose whichever ones are most suitable for your child)
1. This activity is a maze called "I am the Vine, you are the Branches"
a. To prepare for this activity, have your child name as many good deeds as they can think of that they do. Help them out if they get stuck with these
Discussion Examples:
Putting away clothes, Making your bed, Reading the Bible, Behaving for Mom and Dad, Helping a brother or sister, Sharing toys, Picking up toys, Doing homework well, Worshiping
b. "I am the vine, you are the branches. Talk to and listen to me to keep growing." (adapted John 15:5)
c. Are you a branch? Do you produce fruit? The Lord says you are, and you do. But how?
d. Follow the maze showing vines rooted in the Word and in other ideas:
e. Trace which vines are connected to the Bible. Color the grapes, which grow from the Bible purple, and their vines gold and the leaves green.
f. Color everything else brown.
If the maze is too difficult for the child to complete, another option is to use it as a coloring page.
(Maze is below and a link to print the maze is below)
Vine Maze Download | |
File Size: | 786 kb |
File Type: | jpg |
3. Another option is a vine themed coloring page. A link with the printable page is below.
I Am the Vine Coloring Page Download | |
File Size: | 985 kb |
File Type: | jpg |
E. Video
1. Let's watch/listen to a video that talks about the vine and its branches. (You may need to stop the video and read the lines aloud if your child is unable to read them during the video.)
1. Let's watch/listen to a video that talks about the vine and its branches. (You may need to stop the video and read the lines aloud if your child is unable to read them during the video.)
Last, let's say our prayer again together: Jesus, You are the vine and we are the branches. Help us to stay as close to You as the fruit on the vine. As Your followers, give us strength to always do what is right and good, so by our good works, all will know that we are Your friends. Amen.
Thank you for spending time with Jesus and learning about growing with Him.