JESUS FEEDS THE 5,000
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BIG PICTURE: Jesus shows us how to be generous.
BIG POINT: When we are generous, we can live like Jesus.
BIG STORY: Feeding of the Five Thousand—read Matthew 14:13–21, Mark 6:35–44, Luke 9:10–17, and John 6:1–15 BIG WORD:
“One person gives freely but gets even richer. Another person doesn’t give what they should but gets even poorer. Anyone who gives a lot will succeed. Anyone who renews others will be renewed.” Proverbs 11:24–25 (NIRV)
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the conclusion of this lesson, children will: • Understand that Jesus is generous towards us. • Understand that because of God’s generosity, we have plenty to share with others. • Understand that when we are generous, the giver and receiver are blessed, and so is God.
THE BIG QUESTIONS (to discuss with your kids)
1. What does generosity mean? An unselfish attitude, willing to share what God has given me with others. 2. Name someone in today’s story who showed generosity and how? The boy who gave his lunch. Jesus multiplied the food so that everyone had plenty to eat. 3. The people who saw this miracle said Jesus was a prophet. Who is Jesus to you? The Savior, God’s Son. 4. How did Jesus show generosity to all people? He gave his life to pay for our sin when we didn’t deserve it. 5. Look up the following verses to discover more of what Jesus generously gives to us: James 1:5 (wisdom) Titus 3:5–6 (Holy Spirit) John 3:16 (love) Philippians 4:19 (all our needs) James 1:17 (good gifts) Ephesians 1:7–8 (grace—forgiveness, redemption)
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AT-HOME ACTIVITIES: EARLY CHILDHOOD Play Dough Fishes and Loaves Start out by providing kids with different colors of play dough (see recipe below or use your own). Ask kids to form dough into loaves of bread and fishes. If available, provide cookie cutters in the shape of fish for the children to use. Invite the children to place their loaves of bread and fish in the center until you have a group of five loaves and two fish. As they work, tell the Bible story of Jesus feeding the five thousand. Say, “Great job! How amazing that Jesus was able to feed over five thousand people with the same amount of food that is on your table!” Ingredients: 2 cups plain flour 1/2 cup salt 2 tablespoons cream of tartar 3 teaspoons vegetable oil 1 1/2 cups of hot water (added in increments) Food coloring (optional) Directions: 1. Mix the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a medium-size bowl. 2. Add the oil and food coloring to the dry ingredients and mix well. 3. Add the hot water to the mixture in half-cup increments. Note: This is important in the success of your no-cook play dough. Start with half a cup and stir the mixture. Then add another half cup and stir the mixture again. From this point onwards, slowly add the water until it gets to the consistency and texture of play dough. You may end up using more or less water than called for. 4. Mix and knead thoroughly. This play dough is very soft and dries up quickly if left out. Keep in a sealed bag in a cool place for up to two months. Also included for early childhood: “Jesus Uses a Boy’s Lunch” coloring page on page 4. As children color, have them retell the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand.
AT-HOME ACTIVITIES: ELEMENTARY Fish and Cracker Snack to Share Supplies needed: paper, pen, sealable bag, fish crackers or Swedish fish, and oyster or square crackers; OR paper, pen, and prepackaged singleserve bags of crackers or Swedish fish.
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Explanation: Put two fish crackers or Swedish fish in the bag along with five oyster or square crackers. Write this poem on a piece of paper and staple it to the top of the homemade bag or the prepackaged bag: One boy had 2 fish, And 5 loaves of bread. He shared them with Jesus, Lots of people were fed. Use these bags as a reminder of how God is generous to us. Give homemade treat bags to members of your family, or deliver the prepackaged versions to friends/neighbors. Also included for elementary: “Jesus Feeds the 5000” coloring page on page 5. As children color, have them retell the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand.
AT-HOME ACTIVITIES: ENTIRE FAMILY
Generosity Family Planning Guide Generosity is sharing everything God has given us with others. Directions: As a family, print and fill out the guide on page 6. Use it to talk about and plan activities that please God and bless others. Note: If you’d like to reuse the guide each week, we suggest laminating the guide and using a dry erase marker. Suggestions for daily activities: • • • • • • • • •
Pray for others. Help a family member with a task. Bring food donations to CCC for Franklin Elementary School. Write notes of encouragement and thanks to someone who serves you, such as the postman, garbage man, or grocery clerk. Raise money for your favorite charity with a garage sale. Put away your electronics and give the gift of undistracted time to family members. Make someone’s day by doing something special for them or with them. Celebrate someone and make them feel special. Smile, be kind, and use good manners.
PRAYER Almighty God, thank you for the many promises and blessings you give to us. Thank you for caring for us and giving us the greatest gift of all, your son Jesus. Help us to use the gifts you have given us to bless others, that we might be enriched and so that we may bring glory and honor to your name. Amen.
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MONDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
Memory Verse: Proverbs 11:24–25 (NIRV) Daily Reminder: PRAY! Speak words of blessing and affirmation. Review memory verse.
SUNDAY
TUESDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
We know we need to go to God for help.
God is pleased!
This week, we will be generous by:
We are demonstrating selfish character when: ☐ We are selfish. ☐ We keep things for ourselves instead of sharing. ☐ We refuse to allow others to go first.
OUR WAY
We are demonstrating godly character when: ☐ We are generous. ☐ We share with others. ☐ We let others go first.
GOD’S WAY
GENEROSITY FAMILY PLANNING GUIDE