Use this Bible craft in your Sunday School class when teaching about the Jesus feeding the multitudes in Matthew 14:13-21. Download the directions below, gather your craft supplies, and watch our demonstration video as you prepare.
“Jesus Feeds 5000” Craft Ideas
The feeding of the multitude (really 5,000 plus, since women and children weren’t even in the head count) is a fun story to teach as well as a great one for craft possibilities. We celebrate God’s provision and power, as He takes care of us and uses our meager offerings to do great things. With these crafts, explore how we can take simple everyday items like plates and bags, and turn them into a new creative reminder of God’s ability to transform us! Here are some ideas to re-create the story.
Bible Verses or Craft Captions to Consider…
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. -John 6:35
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
-Matthew 14:20-21
God takes the little bit you’ve got…and uses it to make a lot!
From just a little lunch, God made a whole bunch!
Give God what you have, and see what He can do!
God provides all we need and then some!
More Teaching Ideas on Jesus Feeding the Multitude
- See all the MTC resources about Jesus Feeding the 5000
- Watch this craft demonstration on our YouTube Playlist
- Compare the children’s sermon, Sunday School lesson, preschool lesson and kids church lessons on this same Bible story for kids
- Don’t miss Jesus Feeding the 5000 coloring page
Craft one: “Basket Case” Decoration
You will need:
- Paper plates
- Markers, stickers, or other decorating materials
- Scissors
- Glue, tape or staples
- Paper, cut into small strips
- Pipe cleaners
Procedure:
- Cut the plate in half, and cut vertical slits in each half, about an inch apart.
- Take one strip of paper at a time and weave it in and out of the slits in the plate.
- Once the weaving is complete, staple the plates together to make a “basket.”
- Add decorations as desired. Attach a pipe cleaner handle.
- Cut the paper into shapes of fish and bread loaves.
- Add captions and verses. Tuck the fish and loaves into the basket, and hang to admire!
Craft Two: “Big Fish, Multiplied”
You will need:
- Paper bag
- Construction paper
- Scissors
- Extra decorations (stickers, etc.)
- Caption or verse
- Markers or crayons
(optional) Goldfish crackers
- Glue
- Pipe Cleaner
Procedure:
- Decorate the paper bag to look “fishy”, with scales, facial features, or color as desired.
- Cut several fish shapes out of construction paper.
- Add a verse or caption, outside of the bag as well as on the fish.
- Provide additional decoration as preferred, including gluing fish crackers to the bag.
- Tuck the small fish inside the bag. Attach a pipe cleaner to create a “tail” look for the fish
Extra Activities and Craft Ideas:
- Use a lunch bag to make a “blessing bag” to give to someone else. Decorate the outside of the bag, and place small items inside like snacks, band-aids, soap, or small trinkets.
- Use a small box or paper bag to create a “basket”, and inside place Goldfish crackers or Swedish fish and cracker “loaves.” Decorate the outside.
- Make jewelry by stringing dry pasta shell “loaves” and paper fish onto yarn or ribbon.
Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Read full chapter
I have older Elementary age kids. Do you intend to add craft ideas for them? 🙁