Share the Word
Ways to present Mark 1.14-20
Activities marked with an asterisk 
next to the activity title are in addition to the resources in the Ready to go sessions. Suggested timings for these activities are also shown. NB The inclusion of additional activities varies from week to week.
A version of the story for very young children
Invite the children to use glove, finger or wooden spoon puppets to represent Jesus and the fishermen, to help you tell the story.
Jesus was ready to begin his work.
‘God’s kingdom is here! Come and join God’s special plan,’ he called.
When Jesus was walking down by the lake, he saw some fishermen.
First, he called to two brothers, Simon and Andrew:
‘Come, follow me! I will send you out to fish for people!’
Simon and Andrew left their fishing nets and followed Jesus.
Then he called to James and John:
‘Come, follow me! I will send you out to fish for people!’
James and John left their fishing nets too and followed Jesus.
FOR CHILDREN
Read the story and pause at the 
to share these points with the children (see Stop and share below). Then use the activity to explore the passage together. (10 mins)
Click on the image to view a PDF.
Stop and share
- Remind the children that John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin.
- Explain that ‘repent’ means being sorry for what you have done; having a change of heart.
- Ask the children what they think Jesus meant by ‘fish for people’. Discuss how Jesus was asking the fishermen to invite other people to follow him.
Freeze-frame the story W E
You will need: props to represent nets and boats (optional).
- Create freeze frames of different key points in the story, asking children to be the different characters.
- Look together at the freeze frames and notice what is happening. Ask: How do you think the fishermen felt at each point? Look at the end freeze frame. Ask: How do those who have been left behind feel?
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Move and reflect 5 mins E S
- Read the passage out slowly and, as you do, tap the young people gently on the head, one at a time.
- Encourage them to follow you around the room as you continue to read. Afterwards, discuss how it felt while they were waiting.