I Am the Bread of Life Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Bread from heaven, bread of life!”
The day before, Jesus had fed a huge crowd. He used just five loaves and two fish! Everyone ate until they were full. Now the people wanted to find Jesus again.
But Jesus was not there anymore. His friends were gone too. That night, Jesus had walked on the water to his friends’ boat! So the people got into boats. They went across the lake to Capernaum to look for Jesus. Row, row, row! Can you row a boat with your arms?
They found Jesus on the other side of the lake. “Rabbi, when did you come here?” they asked. Jesus said, “You seek me because you ate of the loaves and were filled.” They wanted more bread. Can you rub your tummy? Rumble, rumble!
Jesus said, “Don’t work for the food which perishes. But for the food which remains to eternal life.” Perishes means goes bad. Old bread gets hard and moldy. But Jesus spoke about food that lasts forever.
They asked, “What must we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered, “This is the work of God. That you believe in him whom he has sent.” To believe means to trust. God had sent Jesus.
The people said, “Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness.” Manna was bread from heaven. God gave it to his people in the desert, in the time of Moses. Every morning it lay on the ground, small and white. It tasted like little crackers with honey. When the people first saw it, they asked, “What is it?” Bread from heaven, bread of life!
Jesus said, “It wasn’t Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven. But my Father gives you the true bread out of heaven.”
Jesus said, “The bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.”
“Lord, always give us this bread,” they said. Then Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry. And whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Bread from heaven, bread of life!
Bread is food we eat every day. It makes us strong. Jesus is like that, but even better. He gives us life that never ends. You need bread every day. And we need Jesus every day.
Jesus said, “He who comes to me I will in no way throw out.” Everyone may come to Jesus. Big people, little people, everyone! Bread from heaven, bread of life!
Jesus said that his Father wants him to keep everyone safe. He said, “Of all he has given to me I should lose nothing.” Not one!
Jesus gives us life, the way bread gives us strength each day. Tonight he keeps you safe, too. Bread from heaven, bread of life!
3. Talk together (3 min)
- What is your favorite kind of bread?
- Why do you think Jesus called himself the bread of life?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Color the 5 loaves and 2 fish from the day before.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“I am the bread of life” — John 6:35 (I am → hand on your chest; the bread → pretend to break a loaf; of life → open your arms wide)
Dear Jesus, thank you that you are the bread of life. Thank you that I can come to you. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Jesus fills our hearts
Memory verse: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” — John 6:35 · WEB
The Bible story
When hungry crowds chase Jesus for more bread, He shares a surprising secret about a gift that fills your heart forever and never, ever runs out.
Talk about it
- The day before, how did Jesus feed the big crowd? — With five loaves and two fish
- Why did the crowds go looking for Jesus the next day? — They wanted more bread
- Where did the people find Jesus? — In the town of Capernaum
- How did the people get across the lake to Jesus? — They sailed in boats
- What did Jesus say to work for, instead of food that spoils? — Food that lasts forever
- What special bread did God give their ancestors in the desert? — Manna
Where is Jesus in this story?
This story is really all about Jesus. Long ago God fed His people with manna in the desert, and Jesus fed the crowds with loaves and fish, but both were only signs pointing to something greater. Jesus Himself is the true Bread from heaven, given because God loves us so much. When we trust Him, He fills our hearts and promises we will never be empty again.
What God wants to tell us
Bread is lovely, but it only fills our tummies for a little while. Jesus showed the people that God knows about a deeper hunger too, the quiet longing in our hearts for love, comfort and hope. When we come to Jesus, He fills those places up and never runs out. We do not have to earn it or chase after it, because He gives His love freely, like a friend who is always glad to see us.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for bread that fills my tummy and for Jesus who fills my heart. When I feel empty or sad, help me remember that You are always near and Your love never runs out. Thank You for being my very best friend. Amen.
Read the story · Coloring page 1 · Coloring page 2 · Quiz · All lessons
Home · All stories · Topics · Coloring pages · Quizzes · Sunday school lessons
