Jesus Begins Ministry·Matthew/Mark/Luke/John

The Four Fishermen for Kids: Bible Story Explained Simply

Ages 5+·5 min read·New Testament·By Faithful Kids Team·Updated August 16, 2026

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The Four Fishermen

Read the lesson transcript

Have you ever worked SO hard at something — given it everything you've got — and still come up with nothing? That's exactly where Simon Peter was the morning I met him at the lake.

The Sea of Galilee was buzzing. Crowds of people had followed me to the shore, pressing in so close I could barely breathe. They wanted to hear the Word of God, but there was no room to teach. That's when I spotted two boats sitting at the water's edge. The fishermen were out washing their nets — tired, frustrated, and completely empty-handed after fishing ALL night long.

I climbed into Simon Peter's boat and asked him to push out a little from shore. Now picture this — his boat became my pulpit! The water carried my voice across the crowd, and I taught them right there from the waves.

But here's where it gets WILD.

When I finished teaching, I turned to Simon and said, "Put out into deep water, and let down your nets for a catch."

Simon looked at me like I'd lost my mind. He said, "Master, we worked HARD all night and didn't catch a thing." Every bit of his experience was screaming, "This won't work." Fish don't bite in the middle of the day in deep water! But then he said something incredible — "But because YOU say so, I will let down the nets."

Because YOU say so. That's faith right there.

They dropped the nets — and the water EXPLODED with fish. So many fish the nets started ripping apart! They yelled for James and John in the other boat to come help, and when they did, BOTH boats were so full they started to sink!

Simon Peter fell at my knees, trembling. "Go away from me, Lord — I am a sinful man!" He wasn't just amazed. He was OVERWHELMED. He realized he wasn't standing in front of just another teacher. He was in the presence of God.

But I didn't walk away. I looked at him and said, "Don't be afraid. From now on, you will fish for people."

And you know what happened next? They pulled those boats to shore, left EVERYTHING — the fish, the nets, the boats, their whole livelihood — and followed me.

Here's the lesson: when I ask you to try again, trust me. Even when your experience says it's hopeless. Even when you're exhausted. Even when logic says no. Because when you obey in faith, the results will blow your mind. Trust me with your nets.

This retelling is one of our 200 Bible stories for kids — the whole Bible, free, from Genesis to Revelation.

Series: Jesus Begins Ministry (Episode 06 of 10) | Scripture: Matthew/Mark/Luke/John | Ages 5+

The Four Fishermen is a Bible story from Matthew/Mark/Luke/John in the New Testament. This retelling is designed for kids ages 5 and up, using simple language they can understand and lessons they will remember.

What Is the Story of The Four Fishermen for Kids?

JESUS BEGINS HIS MINISTRY — EPISODE 6 "The Four Fishermen" Based on Luke 5:1-11

Have you ever worked SO hard at something — given it everything you've got — and still come up with nothing? That's exactly where Simon Peter was the morning I met him at the lake.

This story comes from Matthew/Mark/Luke/John and is part of the New Testament.

What Does the Story of The Four Fishermen Teach Children?

The story of The Four Fishermen teaches children important lessons about calling, healing, compassion, faith:

This story teaches children about calling in a way they can understand
God's love and faithfulness are visible throughout this story
Every Bible story connects to the bigger picture of God's plan for the world

Key Bible Verse

"Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people." — Matthew 4:19

For quiet time afterwards, print the free Jonah coloring page and let them color while you talk it through.

Parent's Guide: Why This Story Matters

Every Bible story is an opportunity to talk with your child about faith in a natural, low-pressure way. After watching, ask an open-ended question like 'What was your favorite part?' or 'What do you think God was trying to teach us?' These conversations do not need to be long or perfect. The goal is simply to make the Bible feel like a living, relevant part of your family's life, not something dusty on a shelf.

Illustration from The Four Fishermen for Kids: Bible Story Explained Simply

Quiz: Test What Your Child Learned

After watching the video, see if your child can answer these questions:

Why did Jesus get into Simon Peter's boat?

To teach the crowd from the water.

How long had the fishermen been fishing without catching anything?

All night.

What did Simon Peter say before letting down the nets?

"But because YOU say so, I will let down the nets.".

What happened when they let down the nets?

They caught so many fish the nets began to break.

What did Jesus tell Simon Peter he would do from now on?

Fish for people.

The Four Fishermen for Kids: Bible Story Explained Simply - Key Moment Illustration

Discussion Questions for Families

Use these questions at the dinner table or during bedtime:

What was your favorite part of the story of The Four Fishermen?
What do you think God was teaching us through this story?
How can we be more like The in our own lives?
If you were in this story, what would you have done differently?
What does this story teach us about trusting God?

More Episodes in the Jesus Begins Ministry Series

This story is episode 06 of 10 in the Jesus Begins Ministry series:

300+ Bible Stories for Kids on Faithful Kids

Faithful Kids has 300+ Bible story videos covering the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Every story is a short video lesson, designed for kids Ages 5+, with a quiz after each lesson. No ads, ever.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the story of The Four Fishermen about for kids?

The Four Fishermen is a story from Matthew/Mark/Luke/John. JESUS BEGINS HIS MINISTRY — EPISODE 6 "The Four Fishermen" Based on Luke 5:1-11

What age is the story of The Four Fishermen appropriate for?

This retelling of The Four Fishermen is designed for children Ages 5+. The language is simple and age-appropriate, and the video is just a few minutes long, perfect for young attention spans.

Where is The Four Fishermen found in the Bible?

The Four Fishermen is found in Matthew/Mark/Luke/John in the New Testament. It is part of the Jesus Begins Ministry series on Faithful Kids.

Is there a video of The Four Fishermen for kids?

Yes. Faithful Kids has a short video retelling of The Four Fishermen designed for children, with narration, visuals, and a comprehension quiz. Watch it here.

How can I use The Four Fishermen for Sunday School or homeschool?

Play the short Faithful Kids video as an introduction, then use the discussion questions above for group conversation. The built-in quiz checks comprehension. Many Sunday school teachers and homeschool parents use Faithful Kids as weekly curriculum.

What does The Four Fishermen teach kids?

The story of The Four Fishermen teaches children about calling, healing, compassion, faith. This story teaches children about calling in a way they can understand.

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