Grades 1-2 Lesson 9
Year 1
Quarter 2
JESUS FEEDS 5,000 MEN
John 6:1-14
Lesson Aim
To follow Jesus, the Bread of Life, in obedience and love.
Memory Verse
This quarter, Luke 2:1-7; this week, Luke 2:5 - "He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child."
Lesson Background
The feeding of the 5,000 (actually 5,000 men with an unknown additional number of women and children) is a Bible story with many spiritual lessons. The primary focus is on Jesus the Creator and Sustainer of the world, the Bread of Life. This passage points dramatically to His deity and ability to meet our needs, physical and spiritual. The crowd saw Jesus merely as someone who could fill their bellies, not as the Lord of the universe, and Christ refused to be made their king at that time and on that basis. But even though He knew their hearts, Christ allowed His time alone to be disturbed to provide for these people's needs.
Jesus not only takes care of our needs, but enables us to help others. "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?", Jesus asked Philip. Of course He knew what He was going to do and was only testing Philip. He wanted the disciples to look at the situation realistically and then turn to Him. Philip did the former - "Two hundred denarii (equals approximately eight months' wages; one denarius equals one day's wage) would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" - but reckoned without Jesus' intervention. Andrew was willing to make a suggestion, even though it seemed silly, and the Lord took that small offering and fed a huge crowd. The barley loaves were flat and round, about the size of a pancake, and the fish were probably eaten on top. The boy was willing to share what was perhaps his lunch with others with probably no idea that he would receive anything in return. Christ blesses his generosity and uses his gift in a creative miracle, even though it was not necessary for Him to do so. Christ can do much with our small offerings to Him.
We can even learn lessons from the way in which the miracle was performed. Jesus had the disciples organize the people into groups of hundreds and fifties and have them sit down (actually recline) on the grass. The procedure was orderly and nothing was wasted. They gathered twelve baskets (a stiff basket, like a wicker basket) full of leftovers and everyone had enough. Jesus thanked the Father for providing the food as we should, too. We can be thankful for what Jesus shows us in this passage about His deity, trustworthiness, and ability to meet our needs. We can also be thankful that Jesus, the Bread of Life, came to earth to be broken and give His life to supply what we lacked.
Knowledge
Objectives - To know that by the
Behavioral Objectives - By God's grace to trust and obey Jesus, the Bread of Life, to share what we have, and do things in an orderly, unwasteful manner.
Lesson Procedure
Introduction - Large numbers are difficult for children to grasp. Divide ten pieces of an 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper into ten boxes each and have ten children draw fifty x's in each box (total 5,000 x's). Tell the children to work neatly. Adapt this procedure for different class sizes, letting all students participate. The children will probably tire of this work quickly, but you should allow them to continue this activity for a while even if they don't reach 5,000 x's so that there is some comprehension of the immensity of the number being talked about. If the class does not write 5,000 x's, tell them how many they did put down. If desired, the entire class may draw a wall mural of 5,000 people instead of using the small papers. Divide the paper into fifty sections and draw one hundred circles (instead of x's for people's faces; draw facial features on some) in each section. Leave the center portion of the paper empty where, after the Bible story, you may print "Jesus Feeds 5,000 Men" and draw five loaves and two fish.
BIBLE STORY
Explain that today you are going to learn about something that happened to 5,000 people. Read John 6:1-14. Discuss the passage using the background material presented. Concentrate on Jesus' deity, provision, and the sharing by the boy of the bread and fish.
STORY
JENNY'S DOLL
Katie was Jenny's favorite doll. She had blue eyes and long dark hair just like Jenny's own. She had a pretty brown dress with yellow flowers, and Jenny dressed her doll in a soft blue nightgown when it was time for bed. Katie went everywhere with Jenny - shopping with Mommy, to school, driving to church, and just playing around the neighborhood. Of course, Jenny had other friends, too, in the neighborhood, at school, and Amy Beth, a special friend from church.
One day, Jenny's mother told her some sad news about Amy Beth. Amy's house had burned down and the family had lost almost everything they owned. "We must do anything we can to help," said Jenny's mother.
"O.K." Jenny replied, but she didn't really hear the rest of what her mother said. "No," Jenny thought, "it can't be true!" She couldn't understand it. How could Amy's house have burned down? Jenny ran to her room and flopped on the bed hugging Katie close to herself.
A while later, she came back. "Mom, you said Amy Beth lost all her toys. I want her to have Katie."
"But Jenny, Katie's your favorite. Are you sure?"
"Yes, Mom," replied Jenny in a quiet voice. "I'm sure."
Months passed and Jenny heard little about Amy Beth. Then one day Amy's mother came to visit. "God has provided for all our needs," she said to Jenny's mother. "We have a new house, closer to school and work, and people have been so generous in giving us food, clothes, and whatever they could. In fact, now it's my turn to share something with someone. This is for you, Jenny," Amy's mother said, handing her a big box.
"For me!", gasped Jenny. What could Mrs. Johnson be giving her? She opened the box and there, surrounded by several new dresses, was Katie! "But Mrs. Johnson, I gave Katie to Amy Beth!"
"I know," said Amy's mother, "and I hope you won't be hurt and think we don't appreciate your gift if I return her. Your doll meant so very much to Amy after the fire. She had lost all her toys and we were living with people she didn't know very well. We tried to tell Amy Beth that Jesus loved her and would take care of us, but your doll gave her something to hold on to so she didn't feel so lonely. It was really a big help. Later, other people shared their things and Amy was given several dolls and some books and toys. She told me how much you cared for you doll and we decided you ought to have Katie back along with some new clothes for her."
"Oh, thank you, thank you!", said Jenny.
But Mrs. Johnson said, "It's God who should really get the thanks for all He's done."
Questions:
* How did God meet the needs of Amy Beth and her family?
* Will God provide for you and your family?
* How did Jenny share what God had given her?
* How can we share the good things God has given us?
* Did God bless Jenny too? How? (Physically and spiritually.)
* How is this story like today's Bible story? (Children shared what they had and God blessed them and gave them more than they had before.)
SONGS
"Father We Thank Thee" (Trinity Hymnal, #659); "Break Thou the Bread of Life" (Trinity Hymnal, #256); "As the Sun Doth Daily Rise" (Trinity Hymnal, #329, Verse 2); "Jesus Thou Joy" (Trinity Hymnal, #549, Verse 3); "Lord, Thou Lovest the Cheerful Giver" (Trinity Hymnal, #368, Verse 1).
Take Home Activity
Make small peanut butter sandwiches, popcorn, cookies, or some other treat, or use small goldfish crackers to share with another class. You may wish to do this before the life application story if you choose to do something that will take time to cook. Do not choose something that is too complicated, but emphasize sharing.
Home Helps - Jesus Feeds 5,000 Men
BIBLE PASSAGE-LESSON FOCUS
John 6:1-14 - Follow Jesus, the Bread of Life, in obedience and love.
MEMORY VERSE
This quarter, Luke 2:1-7; this week, Luke 2:5 (NIV) - "He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child."
SUGGESTED PROJECTS
1. Read and discuss the Bible story, perhaps from a different gospel (Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17). Note how the Scripture points out: Christ's deity, His abundant provision for spiritual and temporal needs, the value of obedience, sharing, orderliness, and not wasting things.
2. Think of a practical way in which you can share what you have with someone in need and do so.
3. Encourage your child to share his toys and things when playing with others, but generally it is not a good idea to force him to do so.
4. Thank God for your food as Jesus did.
5. If you think your child would benefit from any material under "Suggested Parental Reading," read and discuss parts with him.
6. Sing songs such as: "Father We Thank Thee" (Trinity Hymnal, #659); "Break Thou the Bread of Life" (Trinity Hymnal, #256); "As the Sun Doth Daily Rise" (Trinity Hymnal, #329, Verse 2); "Jesus Thou Joy" (Trinity Hymnal, #549, Verse 3); "Lord, Thou Lovest the Cheerful Giver" (Trinity Hymnal, #368, Verse 1).
SUGGESTED PARENTAL
Scripture: Jesus is the Bread of Life - read John 6:25-29. Read other passages where Christ is compared to bread (e.g., Luke 22:19; I Corinthians 11). God will provide for the Christian's needs: read Matthew 6:1-4, 25-34; Psalm 37:25. Our willingness to share with others is related to our trust in His provision. God commands us to love others (both our brother and neighbor) and share the blessings He has given us (Matthew 22:37-40; James 2:14-17; I John 2:9-11, 3:16-18). He also says that the person who does not work (not necessarily paid work) should not eat (II Thessalonians 3:6-15). In the Old Testament God did not tell His people to aid evil cultures, but destroy their people. How do these Scriptures relate to our responsible giving to other people? What and how should we give?
Books: Read Christian books with differing points of view on the things mentioned in the above Scripture section.