The Companion: What He Holds
Grades 1-6
Nursery - Kindergarten
Jesus Provided Bread From Heaven
LESSON DATE & SCRIPTURE:
JULY 26 | Matthew 14:13–21; Mark 6:30–44; John 6:1–14
New city catechism question of the week:
Question #30:
What is faith in Jesus Christ?
Answer:
Receiving and resting on him alone for salvation as he is offered to us in the gospel.
Memory Verse: John 20:31
But these are written so that you might believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Talk about it together
Jesus and his disciples had been busy teaching people about God and healing those who were sick. They were working so hard that they did not even have time to eat. Jesus wanted to take his disciples to a quiet place to rest, but the crowds followed them. When Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee, the people were already waiting to hear him teach.
Jesus saw the crowds and was filled with love and compassion for them. He taught them about God's kingdom, and as evening came, the people became hungry. There were so many people and not enough food to feed them all. A young boy shared five loaves of bread and two fish. It didn't seem like enough to feed such a large crowd, but nothing is impossible for Jesus.
Jesus looked up to heaven and thanked God for the food. Then his disciples distributed it to the crowd. Everyone ate until they were full, more than 5,000 men, women, and children. When everyone had finished eating, Jesus told his disciples to gather the leftovers, and they filled 12 baskets with bread and fish.
Jesus cared about the people's physical needs, but he came to meet an even greater need. He came to fill the emptiness in our hearts. In John 6:35, Jesus said, "I am the bread of life." Only Jesus can give us everything we truly need. God sent his Son to be the perfect Savior who takes away our sin. When we trust in him, he forgives us, welcomes us into God's family, and promises us eternal life with him.
Family discussion
What did Jesus want to do with his disciples after they had been working hard?
What did the young boy give to Jesus?
What did Jesus do with the five loaves of bread and two fish?
What does Jesus mean when he says, "I am the bread of life”?
Family prayer
Dear God, thank you for always providing for us and taking care of us. Help us trust that Jesus is all we need and to rest in him each day. Amen.