Jesus feeds the 5,000 +++

Lesson: Jesus provides in abundance (Luke 9:10-17)

1. Story:

• Props: Some bread and “fish” (either fish-shaped biscuits or kueh bahulu) that can be handed out as part of the story
• Jesus and his disciples went to a town called Bethsaida, which was a remote place. But when the crowds heard he was there, they all followed him.
• Jesus welcomed them. He spoke to them about God’s kingdom and healed all who needed healing. There were about 5,000 men and many other women and children there … a very big crowd.
• Late in the afternoon, his disciples came to him and told him to send the crowd away to go find food and a place to stay because it was getting late.
•  Instead, Jesus asked them to give the crowd something to eat.
•  There were probably more than 10,000 people! How do you feed so many people?
• There was a little boy who offered his lunch — 5 loaves of bread and two fish … not enough for so many! The disciples said, “If we were to go buy food for them, it would cost more than half a year’s salary!”
• But Jesus was not troubled by the big numbers. He just told the disciples: “Have them sit down in groups of about 50 each.”
•  Then when everyone was seated, Jesus took the five loaves and two fish and, looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them.
•  Then he passed the bread and fish to his disciples to distribute.
•  And the more they distributed, the more they seemed to have!
•  People were eating the bread. People were eating the fish. And they ate and ate until they couldn’t eat any more!
• The disciples were amazed.
• As the crowd went off, fully satisfied, the disciples picked up the leftover bread and fish. They put them into baskets, and they filled 12 baskets of leftovers! More than enough!

2. Lesson: Good News for Today!

• Sometimes we face problems so big that we cannot see how it can be solved. Maybe it’s a big school exam. Or we need something that costs a lot of money. In this case, it was 10 to 15,000 hungry people!
• Our own supply, like this little boy, is so small — He only had 5 bread and 2 fish … his own lunch. How can he feed such a big crowd?
• But Jesus does not focus on the lack or the problem. When he holds the bread and fish, the little that they had, He fixed His eyes above on God.
• God has abundant supply. He is rich. He does not worry about lack.
• And that supply today is ours because of Jesus. He became poor so that we can be rich.
• We can look to Jesus and trust Him to provide for our every need. We can let Him use what little we have and see Him transform it. And He not only meets our need but supplies more than we can ever imagine.
• Memory Verse: <spend some time getting kids to memorise it; u can pin up the verse on cards and then take out one card at a time until they can remember the whole verse>
• Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus
• Let’s pray: Thank you Jesus that when we are faced with difficult situations, we can focus on You instead. We don’t have to see our lack. We can see Your supply. We can trust You to meet all our needs, according to the richest of Your glory in Christ Jesus. In Your name, I pray Amen.

3.  Activity ideas:

• Father’s Day thanksgiving
•  Have kids share one thing they are thankful for about their dad. (Be sensitive if a kid does not have dad)
• Tell them as much as their earthly dads love them, their Heavenly Father loves them even more. And if there are things their dads can’t do, their Heavenly Father can.
  
• Father’s Day craft
• Choose a simple craft and have the kids write “Thank you Dad for ______________”
• Origami shirt

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Youth Bible Study

Leader's Guide

Jesus' Miracle: Jesus provides in abundance (Luke 9:10-17)

1.       Where did Jesus and his disciples go? What do you think they intended to do?

They went to the town of Bethsaida. The disciples had just returned from share the good news about Jesus in surrounding villages. Jesus probably wanted to spend some time with them to rest.

2.       The crowds followed and found them though. How did Jesus react?

He welcomed them. Spoke to them about God’s kingdom. Healed those who were sick.

3.       When the disciples wanted to send the people to find food in the afternoon, Jesus asked them to give the crowd something to eat. What were the disciples’ response? (See also John 6:7-9)

So many people (5,000 men + women + children). Only five loaves and two fish. Take more than half a year’s wages to buy bread for everyone to have a bite.

4. What were they focusing on?

The disciples focused on the problem and their lack.

5.       Jesus already had in mind what He was going to do. He had the people seated in groups of fifty each. What did he do next?

Take the five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven, gave thanks and broke them.

6.       What was the result?

Everyone had more than enough to eat and were satisfied. The disciples also picked up twelve baskets of leftover pieces.

7.       What can we learn from this lesson?

•  Don’t look at the problem or your lack
• Look to the source, God,  and give thanks

Memory Verse: Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus

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