Jesus Feeds the 5000
Embedded Files
10:00-10:15 - Get to know new kids, entertain early arrivals until lesson begins
Lesson Introduction
Recommended Start Time: 10:15AM - 10:35AMLesson Introduction
John 6:5-15
What is your favorite meal? What would you do if you came to church and you were fed bread and fish for a snack?
Today, we're going to learn about a time when Jesus and his disciples had to feed over 5000 people, and the only food they had was 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.
For more on the lesson click here!
For more on the lesson click here!
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Jesus fed the 5,000 directly after John the Baptist was beheaded (we learn this in the Matthew and Mark versions of the story). You can use your discretion on whether to tell this part of the story to your students.
Jesus' plan was to take his disciples away to a desolate place to recover from this very disturbing development. But at this point in his ministry, Jesus was very popular because of the miracles he was performing. Even though Jesus was trying to get alone with his disciples, Mark 6:34 tells us, "When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things." This shows us the incredible patience and compassion Jesus has for us!
So Jesus was teaching and the day wore on. It was getting late and the crowd was getting hungry. Jesus was trying to get to a desolate place, so they weren't anywhere near a source of food for 5,000 men (and uncounted women and children). When they began talking about how to solve this problem, Jesus challenged his disciples to figure it out. They were stumped. They suggested Jesus just send them home since it would take more than 200 days' wages to feed them. They only had 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish from a boy in the crowd. Surely it wouldn't even be worth giving that out. It would probably just start a riot!
But Jesus told them to have everyone sit down. They had enough faith to obey him, and they started distributing food. We don't know exactly how the miracle occurred, but we know that when they were done distributing food and eating, they gathered up 12 baskets full of bread left over.
The people were amazed at this miracle, and Jesus knew that they planned to try and make him King of Israel by force. That wasn't his plan, so he withdrew to a mountain to be alone - this time where no one could find him...
(This story can also be found in Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:31-44, Luke 9:10-17. This is the only miracle, other than the resurrection, that occurs in all four gospels. We strongly recommend you read all accounts of this story to get a full perspective on it.)
Comprehension Questions
Comprehension Questions
What happened just before this miracle happened?
Jesus and the disciples found out that John the Baptist had been killed by Herod
Where was Jesus going when the crowd followed him?
He was trying to get away to a desolate place with his disciples
What did he do when he saw the crowd?
He had compassion on them and began teaching them
Why did Jesus and the disciples have to feed the crowd?
They were in a remote place and it was getting late in the day, so there wasn't a source of food available
How much did the disciples say it would cost to feed the crowd?
200 days of pay
Who provided the food Jesus multiplied, and how much did he give?
A boy gave 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish
How did the bread and fish get multiplied as the disciples were handing it out?
We don't know, use your imagination!
How much was left over after they were done eating?
12 basketfuls of bread
What did the people want to do after Jesus fed them?
Make him King of Israel
What did Jesus do instead
He snuck away to a solitary place
In this story, we learn that Jesus provided for a great crowd of people who were hungry. But instead of just making the food appear, he used the small amount of food a boy had.
How do you think the boy felt when he gave up his only food?
What do you have that God could use to provide for someone else?
Memory Verse
Don't worry about anything. Instead, tell God about everything. Ask and pray. Give thanks to him. Philippians 4:6
Activities
Activities
Craft 1 - 2 Fish, 5 Loaves
Craft 1 - 2 Fish, 5 Loaves
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials needed from the cart:
paper plates
string
hole punch
scissors
glue
crayons
Construction paper
Get the details by clicking here!
Directions
Directions
- Give the kids a paper plate and have them color it brown
- Let them draw 2 fish and 5 ovals for bread, cut them out, and paste them to the plate.
- Lastly, let them punch 4 holes in their plate and put string or pipe cleaner for the handles.
Craft 2 - Paper Plate Fish
Craft 2 - Paper Plate Fish
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials needed from the cart:
paper plates
glue
googley eyes
scissors
tissue squares
Get the details by clicking here!
Directions
Directions
To make your fish, first cut a wedge/triangle out of your plate. The triangle you cut out will be the tail of the fish, while the hole in the plate will be the mouth. It will kinda look like Pac-Man.
Now glue or staple your cut out triangle to the plate, to give it the look of a fish tail.
Cut or tear your tissue paper into squares. The more colors you have - the more vibrant your fish will be!
Cover the entire paper plate fish with school glue and hand over to your child. Ask them to place the tissue paper all over the fish.
Once the fish is completely covered - glue on the wiggle eye to give it some life.
And that's it! You now have your own vibrant colored Paper Plate Tropical Fish to display.
If you want to hang them, punch a hole on the top & string some yarn through the hole OR just hang on the fridge to display.
Game 1 - TV Game Show
Game 1 - TV Game Show
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials needed from the cart:
The video
Get the details by clicking here!
Directions
Directions
- Have the kids sit in front of the tv and play this video and let them guess the answers.
Game 2 - Simon Says
Recommended Time: 10:10AM - 10:25AMGame 2 - Simon Says
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials needed from the cart:
None
Get the details by clicking here!
Directions
Directions
- Practice being good listeners by playing Simon Says
Activity 1 - Dance It Out
Activity 1 - Dance It Out
Once you're through the lesson/games use these to fill any remaining time, or the ideas listed below
Materials needed from the cart (varies based on the game you choose):
Christian just dance videos below
If they don't want to play the Christian Just Dance game they can play follow the leader.
Wrap It Up!
**Snacks can be given at this time, if needed**Wrap It Up!
- Come together and sit in a circle to talk about what they learned today. Ask them the same questions that you asked at the beginning of the day. How are their answers different now that they know more? Talk about what they can go home and tell their family. This is also a time they can update their journals (big kids only) or color the pictures (littles).
- Ask if anyone has a prayer request/praise report. Pray over requests.
- Worship time - Have the kids go find a spot to themselves and have some time with God (play the song below for around 3/5 minutes).
Worship
Worship
Energy Release!
Energy Release!
Last Minute Filler Ideas
Last Minute Filler Ideas
- Have them gather around the table and draw a picture or write a letter to their families about what they learned today.
- Play a game of some sort. (If you have the hula hoops, have them join hands in a circle and pass the hula hoop around the circle without breaking their hands)
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