Following Jesus isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it! This lesson focuses on the choice that the disciples made to continue with Christ when others turned away due to His tough teachings. They knew that only Jesus had the words of eternal life, and that staying close to Him was the best thing they could do. Sometimes we might want to run away or quit when things in life or faith are difficult, but we can trust that sticking with Jesus is worth it. He will care for us and help us always.
Jesus wants us to love and follow Him, but He doesn’t force us to do so. We have the option to turn away when things are tough. Life as a Christian is not guaranteed to be free from challenges, but we know that Jesus is with us always. He will give us aid when we call upon Him. And He is the way to eternal life! Jesus has already given us salvation. Our hope is in Him, and nothing else can take His place.
Sunday School Lesson on (John 6:56-69) for Children: The Words of Eternal Life
Target Audience: Kindergarten-6th grade
Materials Needed: Construction paper, markers, stickers, paper plates, string, glue, scissors, pipe cleaners, decorations, items representing running away, bread pictures and/or slices, Bibles.
Lesson Opening: This lesson involves following Jesus in the midst of challenges, and choosing to trust in Him for understanding. In the passage, Jesus also calls Himself the bread of life. To get started, consider one of the following openers:
- Put Jesus first! Identify how most dishes that include bread (pizza, sandwiches, etc.) begin with the bread component and add other things. We have to start our lives with Jesus first and foremost, and then add other things. He is the bread of life!
- Bread shuffle relay: Split students into two teams. Have the groups line up and take turns racing across the room and back, with a “bready” twist! Have students balance slices or loaves of bread on their heads or on their feet as they make their way across the room.
- Wonderful words of life: for older students learning Bible fluency, have a “sword race,” giving students a passage and challenging them to find it in the Bible as quickly as possible.
- Life preserver relay: Jesus gives us eternal life! Have students line up in a narrow space, and race relay-style back and forth. Each student running must wear an inflatable ring, bumping into the other runner and trading off the ring with each student.
- Hard to understand: Jesus said some things that were difficult for people to understand. Provide children with riddles and word games, and explain them if extra challenging to grasp.
- Which way will you go? The disciples chose to stay with Jesus, since He was the obvious choice and way to eternal life. Provide students with several options and invite them to pick the best one. Make the choices easily determined things, like picking a fun vacation over an outing at the park.
Explain that the lesson reminds us of the importance of following Jesus. He is the bread of life and the way to eternal life. He cares for us and will always provide for us. We have a choice, but choosing Jesus should be an easy decision!
Bible Lesson: (John 6:56-69) Explained for Children – Jesus is Holy One of God
This passage includes conversations that Jesus had with His followers. There are some slightly tricky elements to discuss with younger students, but the verses can be broken down and explained. Be sure to emphasize how Jesus gives us all good things and wants us to follow Him and choose Him.
Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread] the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum. -John 6:56-59
Provide a bit of context for students. Jesus had been describing Himself as the bread of life. He wanted everyone to understand that He was vital and necessary for life. He was also foreshadowing His sacrifice, knowing that He would give His body and blood on the cross for us. But it was hard for people to understand what Jesus was describing. How could they eat a person? Was this cannibalism?
Ask: Are there things in the Bible that are hard for you to understand?
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. -John 6:60-63
If we see a piece of bread or read the list of ingredients, it doesn’t satisfy hunger. We have to actually take it in and eat it. We can know about Jesus, but that isn’t the same as abiding by His teachings and really accepting His love. This is what Jesus was somewhat communicating, but the disciples still had trouble. It wasn’t that they couldn’t understand what the words meant, but they hesitated to follow them. Sometimes following Jesus is hard. It is helpful and the best thing we can do, but that doesn’t make it easy.
But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” -John 6:64-65
Jesus knew that not everyone would follow Him. There were many who fell away when He said things that they didn’t like or didn’t want to follow. There will always be people who decide that the Christian life is not for them. Jesus wants our loyalty, but He never forces it. He allows us to choose. We can fall away and abandon our faith.
Ask: Do you know people who don’t want to follow Jesus? Why do you think they make that decision?
After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” -John 6:66-69
This is a very wise response from Peter. Jesus acknowledged that many were walking away, leaving Him with just the 12 disciples. He gave them the option to abandon Him, as well. But Peter knew that nothing would compare to Jesus. He rightfully proclaimed that salvation and life came from Christ. Only Jesus had the words of eternal life. If they left Him, where would they go?
The same is true for us. There might be times when we are frustrated or confused, or don’t think it’s worth it to keep up the challenges of following Jesus. But we know that He gave His life for us. He will always care for us and be with us. He has eternal life in His hands. Where else would we go if we left Him? He is the way!
Close with a prayer of thanksgiving to God for caring for us and giving us eternal life. Ask for help in trusting Him always.
Jesus is the Bread of Life + Activities for Children’s Ministry
https://ministry-to-children.com/last-supper-lesson-john-6
https://ministry-to-children.com/printable-bread-of-life-craft-booklet