Coin in a Fish's Mouth

Coin in a Fish's Mouth by Jennifer Tolbert

When Jesus came to Earth, he performed miracles to prove that he was the Son of God. In this story, Jesus showed his power over the Earth. In this miracle, Jesus proved that he could provide for Earthly needs-in really creative ways! 

Key Themes:
1. Jesus did miracles to convince us that He is the Son of the almighty God. 
2. A miracle is a special act of God's power. 
3. Jesus told his disciples to have faith instead of fear. ​

Memory Verse

John 20:30, 31––“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”

Songs

Books of the New Testament
​Apostles Song
Sea of Galilee
Do Lord
He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

Story

Begin Class with Songs, Games, Table Activity, or Sharing Time
 
Open Class in Prayer

Introducing the Story Ideas
1. Go Fish Relay: Supplies: A few dowel ‘fishing rods’ with twine that has a magnet on the end, metal paper clips, paper fish with single words from the key verse written on them (for younger kids who can’t read yet, it could be a pieces of a jigsaw that relates to the lesson).

What to do: Divide the kids into as many teams as you have sets of fishing rods. Put out a set of fish that make up the verse in line with each team.

How to play: Play a relay game where each of the teams has to fish out all the fish that make up the memory verse or the picture. When you say ‘go’, have the kids take turns to catch a fish. The first team to correctly assemble the verse wins!

To make it more challenging for older kids, you could add in fish that have words that aren’t in the key verse! (From resourceforkidsministry.com)


Story: Since the days of Abraham, God's people have been waiting for the Messiah--or "Anointed One." The Jews were expecting a mighty warrior king, like David. Jesus was so different from what they expected, many of the Jews didn't even recognize him. God knew it would be important for the His Son to be able to prove that he was the Son of God. He gave Jesus the power to perform miracles. 

Review: What is a miracle? A miracle is not a magic trick. A miracle is a special act of God's power. -A miracle always had immediate and instant results.
-They were always successful. 
-They were always performed to help someone or glorify God. 
 
READ the story of A Coin in a Fish's Mouth, or Matthew 17:24-27. 
EMPHASIZE that:

• Jesus has authority over all things. 
• Jesus calls us to trust him. 
• Jesus cares deeply for us. 

Visual Aids

Video: Coin in the Fish's Mouth by Lumos

Video: Jesus Directs Peter by YoPlace

God is...

Connect the story back to God and his character. Explain how this story fits into God's overall story. 

Activities 

Bright Dot Fish Sign Craft from Oriental Trading
​Note: add a gold circle sticker to their mouth

Super Cute Paper Fish Craft
Cardstock in Bright Colors, Large googly eyes, markers, sequins, stapler, scissors, tacky glue, and glue dots (optional). 

Paper Plate and Tissue Paper Tropical Fish
Supplies: Large Paper Plate, Scissors, Stapler, Colored Tissue Paper, White School Glue, Wiggle Eyes