Sunday School: 4/14/13

Jesus Feeds 5000

TOPICS:

This lesson will help the children understand that Jesus can provide whatever we need to satisfy our hunger, because He Himself is the bread of life.

OPENING MUSIC:

Angela Zoltek will lead the opening music

The Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, you heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

STORY:

Bring a large blanket or bed sheet to class. At the start of story time, lay it out on the floor to act as a picnic blanket. Have them sit in a large circle on the blanket. Tell them the class is going to go on a make believe picnic, and they can have all the food they want. Have each child take turns naming a picnic food or beverage, such as potato chips, hot dogs, cookies, soda pop, etc. One rule is an item cannot be repeated. Let the children continue to take turns and name items until they can no longer think of anything that has not already been said. Then congratulate them on how well they did.

If we brought everything we named to a picnic, would it be enough to feed us all? (Yes of course)
Today, we will learn about a time when Jesus held a real big picnic. 

Introduction

Every time Jesus healed someone who was sick, the people were amazed. They wanted to see more miracles, so they would follow Jesus wherever He would go. Sometimes, Jesus would look back and see hundreds, even thousands of people following right behind. If you were alive during this time, you may have been one of the small children following Jesus. After trying to keep us with the rest of the followers for a few hours, you would probably get pretty hungry. But it would be impossible to get a quick hamburger and an order of fries. There were no fast food restaurants back then.

Our story today is about a time when very many people, who had been following Jesus all day, became very, very hungry. But no one had enough food to feed them all. And even if they could find a place to buy food, it would cost more money than anyone had to spend. Let's find out what Jesus did.

Matthew 14:13-21

Read from JCPlayZone

Discussion Questions:
1. Who followed Jesus to a faraway place? (A large crowd.)

2. What was wrong with the people? (They were hungry.)

3. How many people were there with Jesus? (About 5,000.)
4. Was Jesus able to feed everyone with only two small fish and five loaves of bread? (Yes.) 

5. How much food was left over after everyone ate? (12 basketfuls.)

SNACK: Goldfish and Crackers

Feeding 5000 Activity

Coloring Activity

LORD'S PRAYER:

The children learn the Lord's prayer

CLOSING SONGS

TAKE HOME SHEET