This lesson teaches children that Jesus can do amazing things with very little, and that he is the bread that gives us life. It suits children aged 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, with plenty of room for questions and activities.
Big Idea
Jesus takes what we have, even when it seems very small, and makes it enough. He also gives us life that never runs out, because he is the bread we need most.
Memory Verse
John 6:35
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
(WEB)
Hold both hands out, palms up, like you are holding a loaf of bread. Then move your hands toward your heart, as if you are taking the bread in and being filled. Say the verse together while you do the motion.
The Story: John 6 for Kids
Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee, and a huge crowd followed him. They had seen him make sick people well, and they wanted to be near him. Jesus climbed up a hill and sat down with his friends, the disciples. He looked up and saw all the people coming toward him.
Jesus turned to Philip and asked, “Where can we buy bread for all these people to eat?” Philip looked around and said that even a lot of money would not buy enough bread for everyone. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, found a boy who had five small barley loaves and two little fish. Andrew said, “But what is this among so many people?”
Jesus told everyone to sit down on the green grass. He took the bread and the fish, thanked God for them, and then shared them out. The disciples kept handing out food, and everyone ate until they were full. There were about five thousand men, not counting the women and children.
When everyone was finished, Jesus said, “Pick up the pieces that are left, so nothing gets wasted.” The disciples gathered the leftovers, and they filled twelve baskets! The people who saw this said, “This must be the prophet who was promised to come into the world.” Jesus knew they wanted to make him their king by force, so he went up the hill by himself.
That night, the disciples got into a boat to cross the lake. The wind blew hard, and the waves tossed the boat around. In the dark, they saw someone walking toward them on the water. They were scared, but Jesus called out, “It is I. Don’t be afraid.” They were glad to take him into the boat, and right away they reached the shore.
The next day, the crowd found Jesus again on the other side of the lake. Jesus told them that they were looking for him mainly because they had eaten their fill, not because they understood the sign. He said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Some people who heard this grew upset and said it was too hard to understand.
Read It Together
John 6:5-6
5 Jesus therefore lifting up his eyes, and seeing that a great multitude was coming to him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?” 6 This he said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus already knew what he would do, and he asked Philip to help the children see that God cares about what the people need. Ask what they think it felt like to be hungry on a long walk with no lunch.
John 6:9
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these among so many?”
(WEB)
Show how a small gift from a child became part of something big. Ask the children what small thing they have that they could offer to Jesus, even if it feels like it is not enough.
John 6:20
But he said to them, “It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
(WEB)
Point out that the disciples were afraid, and Jesus spoke kindly to them. Remind the children that when they feel scared, Jesus is close by and tells them not to be afraid.
Talk About It
- What did the boy with the bread and fish do, and why do you think Jesus used his lunch?
- How do you think the people felt when they had eaten all they wanted?
- Why did the disciples feel scared on the boat, and what did Jesus say to help them?
- What do you think it means that Jesus is the bread of life?
- When is a time you felt like you needed Jesus to help you, and how can you remember he is with you?
Activity Ideas
Paper Loaves and Fishes Collage
You will need paper, scissors, glue, and crayons or markers. Ask each child to draw or cut out a small loaf of bread and a fish. Then have them glue their pictures onto a large piece of paper to make a picture of the feeding of the crowd. Talk about how even small things can be shared to help many people.
Boat and Waves Movement Game
Clear a space in the room and ask the children to stand in a line, pretending to be a boat tossed by the waves. Give simple directions: rock side to side when you say “wind,” stand very still when you say “Jesus is here,” and raise your arms when you say “Don’t be afraid.” Play a few rounds and end by singing a short song together about Jesus being with us.
Bread Bag Reminder
You will need a small paper bag, a marker, and a few small paper slips. Write “Jesus is the bread of life” on the bag. Have each child write or draw one thing they are worried about or thankful for on a slip and place it inside. Send the bag home with the children as a reminder to bring their needs to Jesus each day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that Jesus has the power to provide for real human needs, and that he invites people to trust him rather than simply seeking what he can give. His claim to be the bread of life points to a deeper hunger that only he can satisfy. Many who followed him wanted bread but did not yet understand who he was.
Avoid suggesting to children that God will always give them whatever food or things they want, as though faith guarantees material results. Keep the focus on Jesus himself, his care for people, and the life he gives.
A Prayer to Close
Jesus, thank you that you care about what we need. Help us to trust you with what we have, even when it seems small. Thank you that you are the bread of life, and that you are always with us. Amen.
