Kids’ lesson
Week 3: Jesus Is the Bread of Life
This lesson goes with week 3 of the All for His Glory sermon series, so kids and parents learn the same truth on the same Sunday.
Leader notes for every lesson
- Never comment on a child’s body, size or weight, or on what they eat. Talk about God’s gifts and healthy habits, not “good” and “bad” kids.
- Check allergies before serving any snack, and have a nut-free option.
- Children do not fast from food. In week 3, kids give up a toy or screen time instead.
- Include every child in games. Offer a seated role for kids who can’t run.
1. Welcome game (10 minutes)
Hungry, Hungry Hunters: Hide paper “loaves” and “fish” around the room before class. Kids hunt for them and bring them back to one basket. Count them together: can you find 5 loaves and 2 fish? Keep extras hidden so everyone finds one.
2. Bible story (10 minutes)
One day, a huge crowd followed Jesus up a hill. There were so many people: 5,000 men, plus women and children! They listened to Jesus teach all day long, and they got very hungry.
Jesus asked His friend Philip, “Where can we buy bread for all these people?” Philip said, “Even if we worked for months, we couldn’t buy enough!”
Then Andrew found a boy who had a small lunch: five little loaves of bread and two small fish. The boy was willing to share it with Jesus. (Hold up the basket.)
Jesus took the bread, looked up to heaven and thanked God. Then He broke the bread and the fish, and His disciples passed it out. They kept passing and passing, and there was always more! Everyone ate until they were full. Afterward, there were twelve baskets of leftovers!
Later, Jesus said something amazing: “I am the bread of life.” Food fills our tummies for a little while. But Jesus fills our hearts forever. When we come to Him, we never have to feel empty inside.
Talk about it
- What did the boy share with Jesus?
- What did Jesus do before He passed out the food? (He thanked God.)
- How many baskets of leftovers were there?
- Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” What do you think that means?
- Who could you share with this week?
3. Memory verse (5 minutes)
“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger.” John 6:35
Bread passing: Pass a bread roll around the circle. Whoever holds it says the next word of the verse. When the verse is done, the whole group says, “Jesus is the bread of life!”
A note for leaders: The grown-ups at church are learning about fasting this week. Children should not fast from food. Instead, invite kids to “give up” something else for one day, like a favorite TV show or tablet time, and spend that time praying or helping.
4. Craft or coloring (10 minutes)
Share bags: Give each child a paper bag to decorate with loaves and fish. Send it home with a note asking families to fill it with a canned food item for your church’s food pantry and bring it back next week. Or use the coloring page.
5. Snack time (5 minutes)
Loaves and fishes: Serve small pieces of whole-wheat bread or pita and fish-shaped crackers. Have kids practice sharing by passing the plate to a neighbor before taking their own.
6. Pray together
Dear Jesus, You are the bread of life. Thank You for filling our hearts. Help us to share what we have, like the boy who gave You his lunch. Amen.
Take-home note for parents
Today your child heard how Jesus fed 5,000 people with a boy’s lunch (John 6) and learned that Jesus is “the bread of life.” Adults are learning about fasting, but children should not fast from food. Try this week: fill your child’s Share Bag with a canned food for the church food pantry, or give up one screen-time session as a family and pray together instead. Memory verse: John 6:35.