BIBLE EXPLORE / NEW TESTAMENT / JOHN / JOHN 6

Book of John: Chapter 6

Jesus Feeds 5000  (John 6:1-21)

The Gospels report that Jesus used five loaves and two fish supplied by a boy to feed a multitude.

Activities

Media

Jesus Walks on Water (John 6:16-21)

 This story, tells how Jesus sent the disciples by ship back to the "other side" of the Sea of Galilee  while he remained behind, alone, to pray. Night fell and the sea arose as the ship became caught in a wind storm. After rowing against the wind for most of the night, the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water. They were frightened, thinking that they were seeing a spirit, but when Jesus told them not to be afraid, they were reassured. After Jesus entered the ship, the wind ceased, and they arrived at land.

Activities

Media

John 6:24-35

The Bread that Gives Life

In today's story Jesus explains that he is the bread of life and all who come to him will never hunger or thirst.

Children's Talk

In today's story, Jesus was talking about being the Bread of Life. Does that mean that he wants us to eat him? No! So what does he mean? (Pause for answers) Well, I think that what Jesus really means is to feed on what he teaches about faith and God and being the person that God wants you to be. Why do you go to school? (Pause) For me, the thing about school that I went for was to learn and to feed my mind. Well, I think Jesus wants to feed our souls and minds. Cool aye?!?!

So, what are some ways that you can think of that would be feeding our minds and souls for God? (Pause, maybe come up with a list)
​
Well today, we are going to make our own special bread to help us to remember that Jesus is the Bread of Life. Perhaps we can make enough that you could share it with other people as well!

Quick Questions and Thoughts

“Why do you think that Jesus said to work for the food that gives Eternal Life? What is it? For me, it’s the things I do that make God happy. Can you think of some examples? (Pause) Why should we do things that make God happy?
​
Why did Jesus call himself ‘The Bread of Life’? Does that mean Jesus was made of bread?
No, I think it means that if we follow Jesus’s example, then we will be doing the things that make God happy and help us to enjoy life.

Bread Quiz

This is an introductory game to get children thinking about all the different types of bread there are.

What you need:
  • Pen
  • paper
  • Plates
  • Different types of breads -- you could include a wrap, white bread, rye, sour dough, pretzel, cracker, pita bread, etc. Break off a small piece of each bread, and put on a plate for each group. If appropriate, you could include a communion wafer. 
  • Make sure you know the allergy information for your children -- especially those that are gluten free. If you have gluten free children, then perhaps keep this game a as a 'seeing game' rather than a tasting game! 
What you do: 
  • Divide the children into groups, with one person designated as the scribe
  • Put the plate of different bread types in front of them, and get them to identify what type of breads they are. You could get them to match up different varieties if you wanted, or get them to decide from scratch! (See above re: gluten free children and how this can be a seeing and/or tasting game)
  • The group that identifies the most number of breads, wins.

Bread of Life Badges

Download the file: Bread of Life.pdf
What you need: safety pins, tape, cardboard, template for badges, scissors, glue and felt etc to decorate 
Preparation: To save time, you could glue the templates to the cardboard. 
​What to do: Glue badge templates to the cardboard. Cut out badges. Decorate. Tape a safety pin to the back of the badge.

Plate of Surprises

Preparation: you will need a plate with 3-5 different foods on it, and a blindfold. 
What to do: Ask for a volunteer, an older child is probably best! 
Blindfold them and then tell them that in front of them is a plate with lots of different types of food. Explain that you will feed them a mouthful of each thing, and they have to guess what it is. 
It is probably a good idea, to leave the nicest taste until last! 
Note: You will need to check as to whether any of the children have food allergies. If you are not sure, don't use anything with peanuts just in case.

Quick Questions

  • What is your favourite food to eat? What do you like about it?
  • Why do you think Jesus called himself 'The Bread of Life?'
  • What are some ways that you can think of that would be feeding our minds and souls for God?

Bread of Life Game

Flame Creative, who have put together this bread game with printable sheets

Activities

John 6:51-58

Today's gospel story may seem a little complicated to unpack with children, as it is rich in metaphor and imagery. We can use this story to remind the children about why we have communion, and what the purpose if for our symbolic ritual.  

Bread and Wine

Quick Questions
I am that bread from heaven! Everyone who eats it will live for ever. My flesh is the life-giving bread that I give to the people of this world.
They started arguing with each other and asked, “How can he give us his flesh to eat?” Jesus answered: "I tell you for certain that you won't live unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man. But if you do eat my flesh and drink my blood, you will have eternal life, and I will raise you to life on the last day. My flesh is the true food, and my blood is the true drink. If you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you are one with me, and I am one with you.
The living Father sent me, and I have life because of him. Now everyone who eats my flesh will live because of me. The bread that comes down from heaven isn't like what your ancestors ate. They died, but whoever eats this bread will live for ever."
  • What do we ‘eat’ and ‘drink’ in church? How might that connect with today’s story?
  • What do we call that time in the service? 
  • Why do you think we have the bread and the wine at communion?
  • How do you feel about communion? Is it important to you? Why/Why not?

Creative Bread Intercessions

Another great idea from Flame Creative, using bread in your all age prayers

​What is Communion

Today is a great opportunity to talk about communion, and what it means. As Anglican Churches, communion is a central element to how and why we meet together -- but have you taken time to explain this with children, young people and families? Why do we do it? What do the bread and wine represent? 
Some ideas include:
  • Make your own small version of the communion table and let children play with the different pieces
  • Invite a priest to come and explain what they do at communion and what the words mean
  • Invite the children up to the altar for communion, to watch closely and help with the eucharist. 
  • Depending on your parish, you might like to think about a communion class for children who want to understand more, help with the communion, or ask questions about their faith.

Communion Craft

Activity: Chalice and Paten* (Wine and the Bread)
*Chalice is the name for the cup that holds the wine in communion.
The Paten is the name for the plate that the bread or wafers are put on.
What you need: cardboard, print outs with the words (or you can write these out for children to copy) small plastic cups (2 per child), tape or glue, scissors, things to decorate with
Preparation: Try making an example. As an added extra, you could set up a small display that looks like the altar in your church on a small table.
What to do: 
  • To make the paten, glue/write the words onto the cardboard. Cut out the two pieces, including the shaded bit in the middle of the first piece. (smaller children may need help with this.)
  • Glue the pieces together so that the words can be read through the circle. Refer to the photo if you are unsure.
  • To make the chalice, glue/tape the bottoms of the two plastic cups together to form the chalice. Glue/tape the words around the base of the chalice. 
  • Decorate both paten and chalice however you like. 
Variations: You might like to explain what the words are, or change them to reflect what you say in your parish.
Bible Explore
Developed by Strandz for the Anglican Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia
© 2022 Copyright Strandz. All rights reserved.
Photos from Unsplash