Welcome (5–10 minutes)
Set out:
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- Free play: toy people figures, small baskets, pretend bread and fish (toy food or paper cutouts).
- Table: coloring page of Jesus with a basket of loaves and fish, plus crayons.
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- “Today we will hear how Jesus fed many people with a little lunch.”
- “A boy shared his food.”
- “Jesus can do big things with small things.”
Opening Prayer (echo prayer)
Children repeat after you:
“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Songs (5–10 minutes)
Song 1 – B-I-B-L-E
Song 2 – When I look
Song 3 – “Thank You for Our Food”
(Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”)
“Thank You, Jesus, for our food,
You are kind and You are good.
Bread and fish You multiplied,
Many people satisfied.
Thank You, Jesus, for our food,
Help us share like we should.”
Motions: fold hands like praying on “Thank You,” pretend to eat on “food,” pass “bread” to neighbor.
- Bible hands, hug the “book,” step on “I stand alone.”
Song 2 – When I look
Song 3 – “Thank You for Our Food”
(Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”)
“Thank You, Jesus, for our food,
You are kind and You are good.
Bread and fish You multiplied,
Many people satisfied.
Thank You, Jesus, for our food,
Help us share like we should.”
Motions: fold hands like praying on “Thank You,” pretend to eat on “food,” pass “bread” to neighbor.
Lesson
Sit kids in a circle. Use: Jesus figure, many people figures, small boy, basket with 5 “loaves” and 2 “fish.”
a) Many people, little food
Place Jesus and a big crowd of figures.
b) A boy shares his lunch
Bring in a small “boy” figure with a basket.
c) Jesus multiplies the food
Have Jesus hold the basket.
e) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
“Jesus fed many people. Jesus takes care of me.”
Motions:
Pretend to hold and share bread on “fed many people.”
Point up (Jesus) then to self and hug on “takes care of me.”
Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.
a) Many people, little food
Place Jesus and a big crowd of figures.
- “The Bible tells us that a big crowd of people followed Jesus. They listened to Him teach and watched Him help people. There were thousands of people there.”
- “After a while, the people were hungry. There was no food nearby. Jesus asked His friends, the disciples, ‘Where can we get food for all these people?’ It seemed impossible.”
b) A boy shares his lunch
Bring in a small “boy” figure with a basket.
- “One little boy had a small lunch—five little loaves of bread and two fish. That is not very much for so many people.”
- “The boy shared his lunch with Jesus. He gave his small lunch to the One who can do big things.”
c) Jesus multiplies the food
Have Jesus hold the basket.
- “Jesus took the bread and the fish. He thanked God for the food. Then He began to break the bread and fish and give it to the disciples to hand out.”
- “The amazing thing is this: the food did not run out. Everyone had enough to eat, and there were even leftovers—twelve baskets full! Jesus used a small lunch to feed many, many people.”
e) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
“Jesus fed many people. Jesus takes care of me.”
Motions:
Pretend to hold and share bread on “fed many people.”
Point up (Jesus) then to self and hug on “takes care of me.”
Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.
d) Jesus connection (our provider and what we bring Him)
Have Jesus hold the basket.
“This story shows that Jesus cares about our needs. He cares when we are hungry or tired. Jesus has the power to provide for us. It also shows that He can use the small things we bring to Him—our time, our gifts, our love—to do big things. Jesus is our helper and provider.”
Have Jesus hold the basket.
“This story shows that Jesus cares about our needs. He cares when we are hungry or tired. Jesus has the power to provide for us. It also shows that He can use the small things we bring to Him—our time, our gifts, our love—to do big things. Jesus is our helper and provider.”
Craft – “Basket of Loaves and Fish”
Goal: Little basket with 5 loaves and 2 fish plus the care line.
Steps
Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
When finished, have children hold up their baskets and say:
Steps
- Give each child a paper with a basket outline or a basket cutout to glue on.
- Help them glue 5 bread pieces and 2 fish pieces in or above the basket.
- Count with them: “One, two, three, four, five loaves; one, two fish.”
- Write the phrase at the bottom:
- “Jesus fed many people. Jesus takes care of me.”
- Children can add a small crowd of stick people around the basket if there’s time.
Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
- “Your basket has five loaves and two fish, like the boy’s lunch. Jesus used a small lunch to feed many people. Jesus cares about what you need—food, home, love—and He takes care of you. When you see this basket, remember: ‘Jesus fed many people. Jesus takes care of me.’”
When finished, have children hold up their baskets and say:
- “Jesus fed many people. Jesus takes care of me.”
Supplies
- Half-sheet paper with a simple basket outline printed, or cut basket shapes to glue on.
- Small bread shapes (5 per child) cut from brown paper.
- Small fish shapes (2 per child) cut from blue/gray paper.
- Glue sticks.
- Crayons/markers.
- Label/space to write: “Jesus fed many people. Jesus takes care of me.”
Pierre's Activity Box
Children repeat after you:
