🌿John: Adventures with John: Jesus' Special Friend | Bible Stories for Kids
Meet John
Hello, friends! 👋 Today we're meeting someone super special from the Bible – John!
Not John the Baptist (that's a different John!), but John the Disciple – one of Jesus' very best friends! 🤗 John was a fisherman who became one of Jesus' closest followers and went on incredible adventures with Him! ✨
Did you know John had a special nickname? He was sometimes called "the disciple whom Jesus loved" because they were such close friends! 💖
John wrote some amazing books in the Bible that help us learn about Jesus' life and how much God loves us. He wrote:
The Gospel of John
Three short letters (1 John, 2 John, 3 John)
A book full of amazing visions called Revelation! 📚
John's story shows us that when we spend time with Jesus, He can transform us from ordinary people into extraordinary followers who share His love! 🌟 Ready for his exciting life story? Let's go! 🚀
🌍 Fun Facts & Background 🌍
Here's some cool info about John:
🐟 Fisherman Life: Before Jesus, John worked with his dad (Zebedee) and brother James on fishing boats in the Sea of Galilee. Hard work!
⚡ Sons of Thunder! Jesus gave John and James this funny nickname 🌩️, probably because they had fiery tempers! (They once wanted to call down fire! 🔥)
👬 Inner Circle: John was one of only three disciples (Peter, James, and John) who saw Jesus' most amazing miracles and special moments. Best buddies! 🤩
🧒 Youngest Disciple? Many experts think John might have been the youngest, maybe even a teenager! This could be why he lived the longest.
🏝️ Island Exile: As an old man, John was sent alone to the island of Patmos for talking about Jesus. But there, God gave him the incredible visions for the Book of Revelation! 🌈
📝 Lived Longest: John outlived all other disciples (maybe to 100!). This allowed him to write so much and guide the early church. He was like a living storybook of Jesus! 👴
⚡ Adventure Time! (Key Stories) ⚡
John's journey with Jesus was packed with action:
🌊 The Day John Met Jesus
One ordinary day by the Sea of Galilee, John was fixing nets with his brother James. Jesus walked by and called out:
"Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men!" 🎣
Imagine – smelly and covered in fish scales, John heard this amazing invitation! And guess what? He didn't hesitate! He immediately left his nets, his boat, and his dad to follow Jesus. That's courage!
From then on, John's life was about helping Jesus "catch" people's hearts with God's love! 💗
✨ The Mountain of Light (Transfiguration)
Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain ⛰️. Suddenly, Jesus' face shone like the sun, His clothes turned dazzling white! ✨
Then, Moses and Elijah appeared, talking with Jesus! The disciples were stunned! A bright cloud covered them, and God's voice boomed:
"This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"
Terrified, they fell down. Jesus gently touched them, saying, "Don't be afraid." This sneak peek of Jesus' heavenly glory 👑 stayed with John forever.
❤️ The Last Supper Secret
At Jesus' last meal with his friends, John sat right next to Jesus – so close he could lean on Him! 🍞
Jesus sadly announced one friend would betray Him. Everyone was upset. Peter motioned to John: "Ask him who it is!"
John leaned back against Jesus and whispered, "Lord, who is it?"
This shows their incredibly close friendship. Just like John leaned on Jesus, we can lean on Him through prayer during hard times. 🙏
🏃♂️ The Race to the Empty Tomb
Three days after Jesus died, Mary Magdalene ran with news: The tomb is empty! 😮
John and Peter took off running! 🏃♂️💨 John, being faster, got there first, peeked in, and saw the linen cloths. Peter arrived and went right inside, seeing the cloths and the head covering neatly folded.
When John went in, the Bible says, "he saw and believed." ✨ Even without full understanding, John realized the incredible truth: Jesus was ALIVE! This race was the start of the best news ever! 🌅
🌟 What Can We Learn from John? 🌟
John's life teaches us powerful lessons:
🤝 Friendship with Jesus Changes Everything: John went from fisherman to world-changer by walking with Jesus 💖. Spend time with Jesus (prayer, Bible reading, following His example), and He'll help you become who He created you to be!
🌈 Love is MOST Important: John, the "apostle of love," constantly wrote about loving God and others 💕. It's the greatest command! When stuck, ask: "What would love do?"
👁️ See Jesus Everywhere: John saw deep meaning ("signs") in Jesus' miracles 🔍. Look for God working in your everyday life – nature, answered prayers, kindness!
🙅♂️ It's Okay to Change & Grow: The fiery "Son of Thunder" became known for gentle love 🐣. Jesus can help us change and grow too! Don't feel stuck; ask for His help!
🤗 You Are LOVED by Jesus! John knew Jesus loved him deeply, calling himself "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Guess what? Jesus loves YOU that much too! 💝 Knowing this gives courage and confidence!
💬 Awesome Quotes & Bible Verses 💬
Powerful words from John's writings:
📖 ❤️ "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God." (1 John 4:7)
Loving others shows them God's love! Be God's love messenger today through kindness and sharing. ✨
📖 🔆 "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5)
Jesus is a light darkness can't put out! Even a tiny light beats darkness. Remember Jesus' light when you feel scared or sad. 💡
📖 🌱 "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" (1 John 3:1)
God loves us SO MUCH He calls us His kids! Like being adopted into the royal family! 👑 Remember this when you pray "Our Father."
🧠 Let's Think & Talk! 🧠
Time to make it personal:
🤔 Following Jesus: If Jesus asked you to drop everything right now, what would be hardest to leave behind? (Toys, games, comfort?)
🚣♂️ Fisherman Skills: What skills did John learn fishing (patience, teamwork, bravery in storms) that helped him follow Jesus?
🔍 Seeing God: Look around. Find an ordinary object that reminds you of God or Jesus. (Example: A plant reminds you God helps us grow). Share it!
👯♂️ Mission Buddy: John and Peter worked together. Who could be your "mission buddy" to help you share God's love?
🎲 Game Time: "John Says"! Like "Simon Says." Leader says: "John says cast your net!" (pretend fishing), "John says write in a scroll!" (pretend writing), "John says give a hug!" If the leader forgets "John says," players who do the action are out!
🌼 Prayer Corner 🌼
Let's pray together:
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for being John's friend and for being our friend too! 🤗 Help us be like John:
Brave enough to follow You.
Wise enough to see You working.
Loving enough to care for others.
Help us lean on You when we're worried, just like John did at the Last Supper. 💗 Help us be excited about You every day, like John running to the empty tomb!
Thank You for loving us SO much. Help us shine Your light! ✨
We love You, Jesus!
Amen. 🙏
