“Here is a boy with five small loaves of bread and two small fish.”
— John 6:9 (NIV)
One day a huge crowd came to listen to Jesus. There were so many people — more than five thousand! They sat on the green grass all afternoon, and soon their tummies began to rumble. Everyone was hungry, and there was no food.
Jesus’ friends looked around and felt worried. “How can we feed all these people?” they asked. There were no stores nearby, and they did not have enough money to buy that much food.
But one little boy had a lunch. He had five small loaves of bread and two little fish. It wasn’t very much for such a big crowd. Still, the boy gave it all to Jesus, every last piece.
Jesus took the boy’s small lunch and held it up. He looked toward heaven and said “thank You” to God. Then He began to break the bread and the fish into pieces.
And something wonderful happened! The food kept coming and coming. Jesus’ friends passed it out, and there was enough for everyone. Every single person ate until they were full and happy.
When they were done, the friends picked up the leftover pieces — and they filled twelve whole baskets! One boy’s little lunch had become more than enough. Jesus can do amazing things with what we give Him.
The Big Idea
The boy gave Jesus his little lunch, and Jesus made it more than enough. Whatever little thing you have, you can give it to Jesus too.
Reflect & Discuss
- 1.What did the boy have in his lunch?
- 2.How did everyone feel after Jesus said thank You and shared the food?
- 3.What is something little you could share to help someone?
A Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank You for taking care of the hungry crowd, and for taking care of me. Help me to share what I have, even when it feels little. I know You can do big things. Amen.
The same story, told for…