Jesus Fed a Crowd
Bible Passage: Matthew 14; Mark 6; Luke 9; John 6
Kids Church: August 16, 2020
Volume 8: Jesus the Servant. Unit 24: Jesus the Miracle Worker. Session 2 of 4
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Volume 8: Jesus the Servant. Unit 24: Jesus the Miracle Worker. Session 2 of 4
Jesus Fed a Crowd
Jesus’ disciples had been working hard, teaching people and healing them. Jesus called them to go away with Him to a desolate place so they could rest. By now, Jesus’ popularity was so great that finding a place to be alone was difficult. When Jesus and His disciples crossed the Sea of Galilee, the crowd of people were already waiting for them on the other side.
Jesus saw the crowds, but He wasn’t frustrated or angry. He didn’t tell them to go away. Instead, He had compassion on them because they were lost—like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who seeks and saves the lost. (See Luke 19:10; John 10:14.)
The miracle Jesus performed that evening—feeding 5,000 men plus women and children—is the only miracle during Jesus’ earthly ministry that is recorded in all four Gospels. The same God who provided manna for the Israelites in the wilderness multiplied loaves and fish to satisfy the crowd.
But Jesus’ didn’t intend to only meet people’s physical needs. He came to satisfy their spiritual needs as well. In John 6:35, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” He said that no one who comes to Him will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Him will ever be thirsty again.
Jesus is the bread that came down from heaven. (See John 6:41.) God provided His Son as the perfect sacrifice to take away our sins. At the first Lord’s Supper, Jesus broke bread—a symbol of His death on the cross. (See Matt. 26:26.)
As you teach kids this Bible story, help them know that God can and will provide for our needs. Kids can trust Him for their “daily bread.” (See Matt. 6:11.) God met our greatest need in giving us salvation through Jesus. Will He not graciously give us all things? (Rom. 8:32)
Christ Connection: By feeding the five thousand, Jesus provided for the physical needs of the crowd. The next day, Jesus called Himself the bread of life. (John 6:35) Only Jesus is able to satisfy our souls forever by providing forgiveness, peace with God, and eternal life.
Praise God for His attributes: holiness, greatness, grace, mercy, etc.
Thank God for His goodness, provision, etc.
Ask God for His Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts, minds, and spirits to worship God and learn the lesson He has for us today.
You may ask all the kids to take turn to pray as well.
Do you know anyone else who has ever calmed a storm or who has fed more than five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish? I don’t either. Jesus performed miracles—and the writers of the Gospels wrote them down—so that we would believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Let’s sing together “Miracle Maker.”
Share praises from this past week of what you see God's been doing in your lives.
Confess and repent of our sins. Pray to God for His holiness and purity in our lives.
Ask God to forgive us, and ask the Holy Spirit to help to control us.
Share prayer requests with each other. Pray for each other.
Thank God for school starting!
Ask God to give wisdom for parents, school teachers and kids about in person or online school this coming semester.
Distribute Bibles. Guide your children to open their Bibles to John 6. Explain that in Mark 4. Explain that the story of Jesus’ feeding the five thousand is recorded in all four Gospels.
Choose a volunteer to read aloud John 6:11, 14.
LEADER SAY • A crowd had gathered in the hill country near the Sea of Galilee. [Point to the Sea of Galilee on the New Testament Israel in the Time of Jesus Map below.] They sat down in the grass to eat. Jesus miraculously fed a crowd with five loaves and two fish.
(Take your time to ask, ponder and answer the following questions)
Prompt kids to recall that Jesus’ feeding the crowd was a miracle! Recall how God provided manna as food in the wilderness for His people. When the people saw this sign, many believed Jesus was the Prophet whom God had promised to send.
(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Matt. 6:33.)
Lead kids to recognize that like bread satisfies the body, Jesus satisfies the soul. Only Jesus is able to satisfy our souls forever by providing forgiveness, peace with God, and eternal life. Emphasize that the eternal life Jesus provides for our souls is better than bread that temporarily satisfies our bodies.
(Option: Choose a volunteer to read John 6:27.)
Invite kids to share ways the Lord has provided for their needs. Remind kids that every good gift comes from God. He provided for us in the greatest way by sending His Son to give life to the world.
(Option: Choose a volunteer to read John 6:33.)
From the Superbook studio production. HD animation!
Stop Motion Animation! This is tedious, labor of love work from the "old" days.
Praise and thanksgiving to God that His Son was born to save and redeem us.
Protection from the COVID-19.
Productive at home this week.
For others who are sick.
Wisdom for government officials and President Trump and VP Pence.
Wisdom for Governor Greg Abbott of Texas.
Wisdom for church leaders about ministering online, and future reopening of church gatherings.