Bible Lesson on Jesus Feeding the 5000 for Kids
LESSON OVERVIEW
Theme: Provision & Sharing
Big Truth: Jesus multiplies what we give Him.
Key Verse: “You give them something to eat.” — Mark 6:37
Bible Story: Feeding the 5,000 — John 6:1–14; Mark 6
Pillar Focus: Power (Jesus’ miracle provision)
1) Introduction
What do you do when a huge crowd is hungry and you have only a little bit to offer? That’s exactly what happened in this story! This is one of the most radical miracles Jesus has ever done, and it speaks volumes of God’s provision and also His heart towards us with our little bit of faith. In this lesson, Kids will learn that even their small gifts, when given to Jesus, can do amazing things!
2) Game: Basket Balance Relay (Memory Verse)
Instruction: Kids! Are you ready to play a fun game? Firstly, we will divide into teams, and then we will compete! The first team to finish gets a fun reward! Ready? Let’s dive in!
Setup: Two laundry baskets per team, lots of paper “loaves/fish” cutouts with words of the key verse on some pieces.
Play: Kids ferry items from one basket to the other on a paper plate “tray.” After a time, assemble the verse words in order and recite.
The first team to complete this task wins!
3) Praise & Worship
Instruction: Here are a few suggestions for songs to worship to. Today is all about having faith, knowing that Jesus is more than able to provide, even with the little bit we can bring Him! Leaders, focus on this while you prep the room for worship. Pray beforehand and ask the Holy Spirit to come and bring Revelation and encounter for kids are specifically living in a lack of lack.
Praise: “God Is Able,” by Hillsong Church, “I thank God” by Mavericks Worship
Worship: “WayMaker” (Kids-friendly chorus)
4) Bible Story
Props Needed:
Large picnic basket or bag
5 paper “loaves” and 2 paper “fish”
Large cloth (to lie on “ground)
12 small bags or containers to represent leftover baskets
Optional: real or plush bread and fish for visual effect
Introduction:
Begin by asking the kids: “Have you ever had a little, but needed a lot?” Let a few kids share quick examples. Show the picnic basket and ask: “Imagine you only had this little to feed a huge crowd—what would you do?” Allow time for answers. Say this: “Today, we are going to see how Jesus took just a little bit and multiplied it to bless thousands of people! This is one of the greatest Miracles that Jesus did, and you want to know who brought Jesus the fish and the loaves? A child, just like you! Today, we are going to learn about how Jesus can multiply anything we bring to Him!
Bible Story Act-Out (John 6:1-14)
Set the Scene
Ask 2–3 volunteers to pretend to be disciples, and others to be the crowd.
Spread the cloth to represent the hillside where the crowd sat.
Place 5 paper “loaves” and 2 paper “fish” in the basket.
Narrate the Bible Story:
Narrate: “Kids, right after Jesus performed a bunch of miracles, he came to the Sea of Galilee. Now, thousands of people have followed Jesus around because they saw the miracles! Can you tell me what Miracles Jesus can do? (wait for answers)
YES! He can do so many miracles, and people’s lives have been transformed! Jesus went up to a mountain to teach his disciples, and next moment, these thousands of people were coming towards them. Can you guess what Jesus’ first question was to his disciple, Philip? We need to feed these people! Jesus asked his disciples how one would actually buy enough bread to feed thousands of people that is there.
Jesus knew exactly what He was going to do, but asked Philip this to test him. To see what kind of faith he had! Philip replied, saying that not even 200 denarii would be enough. Kids, in today’s time, 200 Denarii is equal to about $16 000!
The next moment, Andrew, one of Jesus’ other disciples, came and brought a solution. His solution was these little kids (just like you sitting here right now) who only had two small fish and 5 loaves of bread. Do you think that is enough to feed over 5000 people? If we look only at what we can do, then no - but if we look towards Jesus and what He can - then YES!
Jesus asked the 5000 men to sit down. Jesus took the bread and gave thanks, and started handing it out to his disciples to give to the thousands of people. Jesus did the same with the fish and handed it out for everyone to eat.
Now, everyone was full and couldn’t eat anything anymore, and the abundance of fish and loaves was so much that twelve baskets were left! Kids, everyone was completely full and couldn’t eat anymore and there was even food left!
The Big Truth for today is how Jesus multiplies what we give Him. Here’s 4 things I want you to know today:
1) Firstly, the little boy brought what He had.
2) Jesus took it and blessed it.
3) The disciples handed the food out.
4) Then it multiplied!
Kids, this is a vlauble lesson to learn in this miracle that Jesus did! When we give our little bit that we have (faith, kindness, grace, helping someone in need, going out of our way, praying for someone, reading our bible, helping a friend) and do that unto Jesus and give it to Him, we give thanks for what He has done, and then He multiplies it the more we do it. It doesn’t stop! In today’s Bible Story it only multiplied when the disciples was handing it out. They were handing out only 2 fish and 5 loaves, and the more they were handing it out, the more it increased. JESUS MULTIPLIES WHAT WE GIVE HIM!!
Closing
In Jesus’ hands, your small talents, time, or kindness become miracles for others. It’s not just about what we bring, but it is about the motive of our heart. When we bring to Jesus what we have and we put our trust and faith in Jesus’ ability to heal someone, to provide, to help us - He multiplies that! Jesus multiplies what we give Him!
5) Holy Spirit Activation
Give each child a small paper “loaf” and “fish.”
Ask them to place it in a basket as an offering to Jesus.
Pretend to “multiply” by distributing the papers back to all children, showing abundance.
Encourage kids to thank Jesus and shout together: “Jesus multiplies what we give Him!”
6) Small Group Questions
Why were the disciples worried in this story?
How did Jesus use the boy’s small lunch?
What does this teach us about giving what we have to God?
How can we share with others today, even if it seems small?
How does it feel to see God do something big with something small?
7) Prayer (Repeat-after-me)
Jesus, thank You for showing us that You can take what little we have and use it for great purposes. Help us to be generous and trust You with everything we offer. Teach us to share and watch You multiply our efforts. Amen.