Jesus Gave Thanks for the Blessings “Taking the five loaves and the two fish” Matthew 14
“What if I told you that a tiny lunch fed a HUGE crowd? Seriously! Five little pieces of bread and two fish were enough to fill up over 5,000 people. Impossible, right? Not for Jesus! This week, we’re diving into the amazing Bible story of The Feeding of the 5,000 (found in Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:34-44, Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:1-15) to discover how your small gifts can be used by God for BIG things. It is a powerful lesson in thanksgiving, provision, and abundance.
Jesus Gave Thanks
The most direct link to thanksgiving is found in the action of Jesus himself. In all accounts, before the miracle of multiplication began, Jesus paused to express gratitude.
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.”
Then He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. (Matthew 14:19)
Jesus didn’t wait until he had enough to feed the crowd; he gave thanks for the small amount they already had—five loaves and two fish. This teaches us to be thankful for even the meager resources we possess, trusting God with them.
By looking up to heaven and giving thanks, Jesus acknowledged that the Father was the true source of all provision, even before the miracle occurred. It sets an example for us to thank God first, regardless of the size of the blessing.
Lessons in Gratitude and Provision
The story offers profound lessons for a life of thankfulness:
The miracle of multiplication followed the act of thanksgiving. This suggests that giving thanks unlocks God’s blessing and abundance. When we are grateful for “five loaves and two fish” in our lives, God can use it to bless us and others far beyond our expectations.
Not only were over 5,000 people fed and satisfied, but there were twelve basketfuls of leftovers. God’s provision, in response to thanks, is not just enough, but overflowing (abundance). This should inspire deep gratitude for His boundless generosity.
The disciples focused on what they lacked (“Where could we get enough bread in this remote place?”). Jesus asked them to focus on what they had (“Bring them here to me”). Thankfulness helps us shift our focus from our lack to the resources we possess and are willing to offer.
Basket and Food Crafts
These crafts help illustrate the small offering and the abundance that followed.
- Paper Plate Woven Basket:
- Materials: Paper plate, scissors, strips of paper (brown or tan), glue/stapler, pipe cleaner.
- Procedure: Cut a paper plate in half. Cut vertical slits into one half. Weave the paper strips in and out of the slits to create a woven texture for the basket. Staple or glue the edges to secure and attach a pipe cleaner for a handle.
- “Food”: Cut small fish and loaf shapes from construction paper (or use Goldfish crackers and small crackers/cereal squares for a snack craft!) and tuck them inside the basket.
- Envelope or Paper Bag Basket:
- Materials: Envelope or small paper bag, markers/crayons, construction paper, glue.
- Procedure: Decorate the envelope or bag to look like a woven basket. Cut out five small paper loaves and two paper fish to represent the original amount, or simply fill it with the snack “food” (Goldfish and crackers) to represent the final multiplied meal.
- Loaves and Fish Printable Template:
- Materials: Printable basket/loaves/fish template, coloring materials, scissors, glue, cardstock or construction paper.
- Procedure: Print, color, cut out the pieces, and glue the fish and loaves “peeking out” from behind the basket image. Children can write the Bible verse (e.g., Matthew 14:20) on the back.
This miracle encourages us to make thanksgiving a central part of our daily lives, especially before we ask for more:
- Count Your Blessings (No Matter How Small): Look at your life and intentionally give thanks for the small, ordinary things you might take for granted, like the five loaves and two fish.
- Acknowledge the Source: Recognize that all good things—your food, your health, your family—come from God, the ultimate Provider.
- Trust for the Impossible: Just as the small meal fed thousands, be thankful for what you have and trust God to multiply your efforts and resources to meet the needs around you.
Jesus Feeds the 5000 Thanksgiving Coloring Page for Kid’s Ministry
