Jesus Feeds a Big Crowd

John 6:1-14


Our true story is found in a part of the Bible called the Gospel of John. John was one of the friends and helpers of Jesus. And the word “Gospel” means “good news!”

One day, Jesus went up on a hill to teach people about God. A big crowd of people followed Him. There were so many people—thousands of them! They wanted to hear what Jesus had to say and see Him heal the sick.

Jesus looked at the crowd and saw they were hungry. He asked one of His helpers, Philip, “Where can we buy bread for all these people to eat?” Philip was surprised. He said, “It would take a lot of money to buy enough bread!”

Then another helper, Andrew, spoke up. He said, “There is a boy here who has five loaves of bread and two fish, but that’s not enough for so many people!” The boy shared his lunch with Jesus.

Jesus took the boy’s bread and fish and told everyone to sit down. Then Jesus prayed and thanked God for the food. He began to break the bread and fish into pieces and gave it to the helpers to pass out. As the helpers gave food to the people, something amazing happened—there was more than enough for everyone to eat! Thousands of people ate until they were full.

When everyone finished eating, Jesus told His helpers to gather the leftovers. They filled twelve baskets with leftover food! The people were amazed and said, “Jesus is truly a great prophet sent by God!”

Key takeaway for preschoolers

Jesus cares about us and provides for our needs. He can do amazing things with what we share.


Dear God,

Thank You for loving us and taking care of us. Thank You for giving food to the big crowd of people and showing us that You can do amazing things. Please help us to share what we have with others and to trust You to provide for our needs. We love You, God.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.






Bible Verse: The LORD is my helper; I will not be afraid. — Hebrews 13:6, BSB

Paraphrase: God helps me; I’m not afraid.



Activities

These activities help preschoolers engage with the story through movement, crafts, music, and storytelling, making the lesson fun and memorable.


1. Bread and Fish Matching Game

Objective: Help children connect with the story by learning about the boy’s bread and fish.

Materials: Paper cutouts of loaves of bread and fish (five bread shapes and two fish shapes).

Activity: Scatter the cutouts around the room. Ask the children to find and match them, placing them on a table to represent the boy’s lunch. As they play, remind them how Jesus used the boy’s small lunch to feed thousands of people.


2. “Five Loaves and Two Fish” Song (Musical Activity)

Tune: The Farmer in the Dell (Public Domain)

Objective: To help children remember that Jesus multiplied the bread and fish, showing that He cares for people and provides for their needs.

Materials: None (optional: simple hand motions)

Activity: Teach the children the following song using the familiar melody The Farmer in the Dell (Public Domain). Encourage children to:

• Hold up five fingers for “five loaves”
• Hold up two fingers for “two fish”
• Pretend to pray by folding hands
• Open arms wide for “more than enough”

Sing slowly at first, then repeat with joyful energy.

Song “Five Loaves and Two Fish”:

        Five loaves and two small fish,
        Five loaves and two small fish,
        A boy shared what he had that day,
        Five loaves and two small fish.

        Jesus gave thanks to God,
        Jesus gave thanks to God,
        He broke the bread and passed it out,
        Jesus gave thanks to God.

        There was enough for all,
        There was enough for all,
        They even filled twelve baskets full,
        There was enough for all!

You may repeat the final verse and invite children to sing “enough for all!” a little louder each time.

Talk About It: “The boy shared what he had, and Jesus made it more than enough. What are some things we can share with others?”


3. Basket Craft

Objective: Help children remember how Jesus provided food for everyone and there were leftovers.

Materials: Paper, crayons, markers, glue, and stickers.

Activity: Have children draw or create a “basket” on their paper and decorate it. Inside the basket, they can draw loaves of bread and fish or glue printed cutouts. Write on the basket, “Jesus provides for us!” Talk about how Jesus made sure everyone had enough to eat.


4. Act It Out: Feeding the Crowd 

Objective: Bring the story to life through role-play. 

Materials: None. 

Activity: Assign roles to the children—one as Jesus, one as the boy with the lunch, some as disciples, and the rest as the crowd. Reenact the story, with the boy giving his lunch to Jesus, Jesus praying over the food, and the disciples passing it out. Talk about how Jesus can do amazing things with what we share. 

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Story illustrations are the copyright of James M. Thomas. All rights reserved.
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