2026-06-14 Jesus Receives Childlike Sinners

Introduction

In this lesson, children will learn that Jesus isloves childlike trust and welcomes every sinner who knows they need Him. Through two short stories (Jesus blessing the Breadlittle ofchildren Life,in Mark 10:13-16, and Zacchaeus the onlytax Onecollector whoin canLuke truly satisfy a sinner's deepest hunger. Through the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 (John 6:19:1-14, 26-35)10), children will see that Jesus miraculouslyloves fedto be near people who know they cannot save themselves. Little children do not pretend to be strong. They depend on their parents for everything. Jesus wants every person, children and grown-ups, to come to Him like that: helpless, trusting, happy to depend on Him. Zacchaeus was a hungrygrown crowdman, withbut he was childlike enough to climb a tree just fiveto smallsee loavesJesus, and two fish. But Jesus doeshonored morethat thanby fill tummies. Jesus said, "I am the bread of life; whoever comesgoing to mehis shallhouse. notEveryone hunger."needs Our tummies get hungry again, but the happiness Jesus gives to His friends lasts forever. Food cannot heal our hearts. Food cannot forgive our sins. Only Jesus can satisfy the deepest hunger of a sinful heart,Jesus, and only those who trustcome inlike Hima little child will beenter trulythe happykingdom forever.of God.

Main Ideas:

• JesusChildren Provides:Welcomed: Jesus knowsloves what we needchildren and haswelcomes thethem. powerHe tois providenever it.too busy for them.
• JesusChildlike is God:Trust: Only God can multiply food from almost nothing. Jesus didwants itevery person to come to Him with a word.humble, dependent heart, like a child.
• BreadNot ofToo Life: Our biggest hunger is notBig for food,Jesus: itGrown-ups isneed forJesus just as much as children do. Zacchaeus climbed a Savior.tree Jesusto issee the Bread of Life.Him.
• Satisfied Forever: Full tummies get empty again.Only Jesus makesSaves: HisNobody, friendsbig trulyor happysmall, forever.can fix their own sinful heart. Only Jesus can.

Praise and Worship (15 mins)

Parents: The parent and child scheduled for this week will lead us in singing on Sunday. Please take time to practice the songs together at home, helping your child feel confident and joyful as they prepare to lead.

Prayer and Offering (5 mins)

Parents: Please encourage your children to bring an offering to church. You may help your child prepare by setting aside a coin for them to bring on Sunday. This is a great opportunity to teach them about giving to God with a thankful heart and trusting Him to provide.

What is Offering?

Offering is when we give something to God to show our love and thankfulness. In church, we often give money as an offering, but we can also give our time, talents, and kindness to God and others.

Why Do We Make an Offering?

To Thank God – Everything we have comes from God! Giving back is a way to say, “Thank You, God!”
To Trust God – When we give, we show that we trust God to take care of us.
To Help Others – Offerings help the church teach about Jesus, help people in need, and share God’s love.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:7,
"God loves a cheerful giver!" That means God is happy when we give with a joyful heart!

Prayer for Offering

Dear God, thank You for giving us everything we need. We want to give back to You with joyful hearts. Please use our offering to help others and share Your love. Help us to always trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Review Verse from Last Week

John 14:16:35a

[Jesus said,] "LetI am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.hunger,"

Bible Story (10 min)

Introduction (2 min)

Props Needed:

• A basketsign orthat smallsays picnic"TWO basket
YEARS
• 5 small dinner rolls or small loaves of bread (if allergies, use 5 cracker pieces)
• 2 paper fish cutoutsOLD" (or smalla rubberlittle fishtoy, toys)sippy cup, or baby blanket)
• A smallsturdy bandagechair (forto be the illustration)tree for Zacchaeus)
• A small"Zacchaeus" platepaper sign (with a snacksmall, short-looking person drawn on it)
• A "Jesus" paper sign
• A Darkened Heart and a smallShiny dollHeart orfrom stuffedpast animallessons

 

(WalkPick ina holdingchild yourvolunteer tummyto come forward. Put the "Two Years Old" sign on them and makingask athem grumblingto sound.kneel down to look smaller.)

Teacher: "Oh my tummy! Can you hear that? My tummy is making funny noises! WhatThis is my tummyfriend telling[child's me?name]. Today they are pretending to be TWO years old. Okay, let's pretend I am their mom. We are walking to the store. And we come to a BIG busy street. Cars are zooming by! What should [child's name] do?"

Interaction: "PutRaise your hand on your tummy. Canif you makethink athey growlingshould noise?hold Grrrrrrr!Mommy's hand!"

Teacher: "WhenYES! ourThey tummyshould growls,hold wemy hand. Why? Because a little two-year-old can't read the stop lights. They can't see over the cars. They don't know itwhen isit's timesafe to EAT! We are hungry. Pretend that I am at home playing outside, and my tummy says, 'GRRRR, time for lunch!'cross. So Iwhat startdo tothey rundo? toThey theTRUST door,Mommy. andThey justhold ason I get there...tight."

(Interaction: "Pretend to tripgrab andonto fall,Mommy's thenhand. actSqueeze like you scraped your knee.)tight!"

Teacher: "OUCH!That is called TRUSTING. Children trust their parents because they know: 'I am little. I fell!need Myhelp. kneeMommy isloves bleeding!me. ItMommy hurts!knows Help,what Mommy!to do.' Children are GOOD at trusting."

(Hold upThank the platevolunteer ofand snack.have them sit back down.)

Teacher: "Now, ifsometimes mygrown-ups momforget camehow runningto outtrust. andThey said,start to think, 'Here,I eatam your sandwich while you lie there crying,' would that help my knee?"

Interaction: "Shake your head NO!"

Teacher: "No! Right then,big. I don'tam wantstrong. I can do it myself.' But the Bible says EVERYONE, even grown-ups, needs to trust Jesus like a sandwich.little Ichild wanttrusts aMommy HUGor fromDaddy. mom. I want a BANDAGE. Later, when my knee is better, then I'll want the sandwich. Food is good, but sometimes we need something even more than food."

Teacher: "Today we are going towill hear two stories about a time when Jesus fed a HUGE crowd of hungry people. And then Jesus will teach them (and us) that we need Him EVEN MORE than we need food. Let's listen.that."

Story Telling: Jesus SatisfiesReceives Childlike Sinners (8 min)

Props / Visuals Suggested:

• Small"Jesus" picnicpaper basketsign
• 5"Zacchaeus" smallpaper rolls or cracker piecessign
• 2Sturdy paperchair fish cutouts(tree)
• EnoughDarkened smallHeart bread/crackerand piecesShiny hidden to give every child a piece (for the "Jesus multiplies it" moment)Heart

 

Part 1: AParents HugeBring CrowdTheir andChildren Noto FoodJesus (2 mins)

Teacher: "One day, Jesus wentwas up onteaching a hillside to teach. And a HUGEBIG crowd of peoplepeople. followedAnd Him.many Domoms youand dads had brought their children. They said to themselves, 'We want Jesus to knowbless howOUR many?kids! FiveLet's THOUSANDgo men,bring plusthem allto the women and children. So maybe ten thousand or more people!Jesus!'"

Interaction: "SpreadEveryone yourwiggle armsin outexcitement. superPretend wide!a Nowparent lookis aroundtaking you by the room.hand Imagineto LOTSgo andsee LOTS of people!Jesus!"

Teacher: "But the disciples saw all these little children coming, and the disciples got GRUMPY. The peopledisciples listenedsaid, 'No no no! Stop! Jesus is too busy! Jesus is too important to Jesus teach all day long. They loved being with Jesus. But then the sun startedtalk to goLITTLE down.kids! AndGo guess what happened to all those tummies?away!'"

Interaction: "Put youra handstern face on and wag your tummy.finger. GRRRRR!'No! Hungry!Go Everybodyaway!' makingHow growlingwould sounds!that make you feel?"

Teacher: "TheThat would make the kids SAD. It would make the parents SAD too. They wanted Jesus, and the disciples camewere topushing them away."

Teacher: "But then Jesus andheard what the disciples were saying. And Jesus was NOT happy with them at all. Jesus said, 'Jesus, it's getting late. We are out inLet the middlechildren come to Me! DO NOT stop them! For the kingdom of nowhere.God There are no stores. There are no restaurants. And there are TONS of hungry people. What are we goingbelongs to do?people like them!'"

Interaction: "Stand up tall and say it like Jesus: 'Let the children come to Me!'"

Teacher: "And then Jesus asked,took 'Isthe therelittle ANYchildren foodin hereHis atarms. all?'Jesus Andrew,held them. Jesus put His hands on them and blessed them. Even the littlest, smallest child was not too small for Jesus. Jesus had time for every single one of the disciples, found a little boy in the crowd. And this little boy had a small basket with him.them."

(Hold up the basket.)

Teacher: "Inside his basket was his lunch. Just his little lunch. What do you think he had?"

(Pull out the 5 loaves one by one.)

Interaction: "Let'sCross countyour thearms rolls!over One,your two,chest three,like four,a five!big hug. Jesus loves little kids!"

 

Part 2: What Jesus Means by Childlike (Pull2 outmins)

Teacher: "Then Jesus said something very important. Jesus said, 'Whoever does NOT come to the 2kingdom fish.)

of

Interaction:God "Andlike twoa little fish!child will not enter it.'"

Teacher: "FiveThat littleis loaves,a andBIG twodeal. littleJesus fish.was Dosaying: youeveryone thinkhas to come to Me like a CHILD comes to their parent. But what does that ismean? enoughDoes forit tenmean thousandgrown-ups people?have to start crawling on the floor?"

Interaction: "Shake your head NO! That's silly!"

Teacher: "No! Jesus is not saying grown-ups need to act like babies. Jesus is talking about the HEART. A child comes to a parent and says:"

• "'Mommy, I'm hungry, can you feed me?' (Children KNOW they can't feed themselves.)"
• "'Daddy, I'm tired, can you carry me?' (Children KNOW they can't do it on their own.)"
• "'Mommy, I fell, can you fix my boo-boo?' (Children KNOW they need help.)"

Interaction: "Reach out both arms like a little child wanting to be picked up. Say, 'I need You!'"

Teacher: "A child DEPENDS on their parents. A child TRUSTS their parents. A child does NOT say, 'I can do it all by myself, I don't need you!' That is how Jesus wants us to come to Him. Not proud. Not saying, 'I'm pretty good!' But saying, 'Jesus, I need You. I cannot fix my own heart. Please save me.'"

(Hold up the Darkened Heart.)

Teacher: "None of us, no matter how big or how small, can clean our own hearts. We all have to come to Jesus with open hands, like a little child, and say, 'Please help me. I trust You.' Everyone needs Jesus."

 

Part 2:3: Zacchaeus Climbs a Tree (2 mins)

(Bring out the "Zacchaeus" sign.)

Teacher: "Here is a story about a grown man who had a CHILDLIKE heart. His name was ZACCHAEUS. Can you say that with me? ZA-KEE-US!"

Interaction: "Everyone, say it loud! 'ZACCHAEUS!'"

Teacher: "Zacchaeus was a grown-up, but he was VERY short. And Zacchaeus was a TAX COLLECTOR, just like Levi. He cheated people out of money. Everybody HATED him."

Interaction: "Make a sad face for Zacchaeus. Nobody liked him."

Teacher: "One day, Jesus Makeswas walking through Zacchaeus's town. And Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was coming. He was SO excited. He REALLY wanted to see Jesus. But there were so many people, and Zacchaeus was so short, that he could not see over the crowd."

Interaction: "Jump up on your tippy-toes! Can you see? No! Too many heads in the way!"

(Motion to the chair.)

Teacher: "So Zacchaeus did something that grown-ups usually don't do. Zacchaeus ran ahead, and he CLIMBED UP A TREE!"

Interaction: "Pretend to climb a Lottree! fromHand over hand, up, up, up!"

Teacher: "A grown-up, with a Littlefancy coat, climbing a tree like a little child! Did Zacchaeus care if people laughed at him? No! Zacchaeus did not care if he looked silly. He just wanted to SEE JESUS. That is a childlike heart. Zacchaeus knew: 'I need Jesus more than I need to look important.'"

 

Part 4: Jesus Calls Zacchaeus Down (2 mins)

Teacher: "ButWhen theJesus little boy did something wonderful. He GAVE his little lunchgot to Jesus.that He didn't keep it for himself. He trustedtree, Jesus withSTOPPED. everythingJesus heLOOKED had.UP. And Jesus said, 'Zacchaeus! Hurry down! I must come to your house today!'"

Interaction: "PretendGasp! toJesus holdknew outhis aname! basketCover withyour bothmouth hands.in 'Here, Jesus, you can have my lunch!'surprise!"

Teacher: "JesusZacchaeus tookwas SO happy! He climbed down the fivetree loavesas fast as he could. He ran to Jesus. He brought Jesus to his house for dinner. And Jesus and twoZacchaeus fish.ATE He looked up to His Father in heaven, and He THANKED God for the food. Everyone, let's bow our heads like Jesus did.together."

Interaction: "BowSit yourdown heads.and Foldpretend yourto hands.eat Say,a 'Thankmeal. You, God, for this food.'Mmm!"

Teacher: "ThenThe other people grumbled. They said, 'Look at Jesus, eating with a sinner!' But Jesus starteddid BREAKINGnot thecare breadwhat intothey pieces.said. AndJesus breakingcame more.for Andsinners. more.Jesus Andcame more.for And the food KEPT COMING. It never ran out! The disciples passed it out to all the people, and everyone got some. And everyone's tummy got full.Zacchaeus."

(NowSwitch passthe outDarkened smallHeart bread/crackerfor piecesthe toShiny every child from your hidden supply.Heart.)

Interaction:Teacher: "HereAnd comesZacchaeus's yourheart piece!was JustCHANGED. likeRight there at dinner, Zacchaeus stood up and said, 'Lord! I'm going to give HALF my money to the poor! And if I cheated anyone, I'll pay them back FOUR TIMES more than I took!' Jesus didhad thatchanged day.his Everybodyheart. takesZacchaeus atrusted littlein bite.Jesus and was saved."

Teacher: "And whenJesus everyonesaid, 'Today, salvation has come to this house.' Because the Son of Man (Jesus) came to seek and to save the LOST. Zacchaeus was FULL,lost, thebut disciplesnow went and gathered up the leftovers. They filled TWELVE baskets with bread thatZacchaeus was left over! Jesus took a little tiny lunch, and He made it into a feast for thousands of people. Only God can do that.FOUND."

Interaction: "Let'sEveryone say itwith together:me: 'Only Jesus!' 'Only Jesus!'"

 

Part 3: The People Come Back for More Bread (2 mins)

Teacher: "The people were AMAZED. They had never seen anything like this. They said, 'This Jesus must be very special!' They went homecame to sleep.seek But the NEXT morning, they came running backand to find Jesus."

Interaction: "Run in place! Where is Jesus? We want more!"

Teacher: "And when they found Jesus, Jesus knew what they were thinking. Jesus said, 'You are not looking for Me because you understood the miracle. You are looking for Me because your tummies got full and you want more bread.save!'"

Teacher: "JesusZacchaeus wanted the peoplecame to understandJesus somethingwith a childlike heart. He knew he needed Jesus. He did not try to look too important. JesusHe said,climbed 'Doa not work only for food that spoils and runs out. Work for the food that lasts FOREVER, the food that gives you life with God.'"

Teacher: "And then Jesus said the big thing. Jesus said, 'I am the BREAD OF LIFE. Whoever comestree to Mesee shall not hunger. Whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.'"

Interaction: "Pat your tummy. Shake your head. 'Not hungry anymore. Not with Jesus!'"

 

Part 4: The Hunger That Only Jesus Can Fill (2 mins)

Teacher: "Now, Jesus was not saying we will never get hungry again. When you eat breakfast, will you be hungry for lunch?"

Interaction: "Nod YES! Yes, we will!"

Teacher: "That is normal. Our tummies get empty again. But Jesus was talking about a DIFFERENT hunger. A HEART hunger. Our hearts are hungry for something bigger than food."

Teacher: "Our hearts are hungry to be LOVED. Our hearts are hungry to be FORGIVEN. Our hearts are hungry to never, ever be alone. Our hearts are hungry to live with God forever.Him! That is athe big,kind deepof hunger. And food cannot fillfaith that hunger."

Interaction: "Put your hand on your heart. That's whereenters the big hunger is!"

Teacher: "Think about it. When you are sick, does a cookie make you well? No, you want mom's hug. When you are scared, does a sandwich make you brave? No, you want your dad. When you are lonely, does ice cream make you not lonely? No, you want a friend."

Teacher: "Only JESUS can fill our heart hunger. Jesus forgives our sins. Jesus brings us into God's family. Jesus promises that we will be with Him forever. When we trust in Jesus, our heart is SATISFIED. That is a happiness that never runs out."

Interaction: "Rub your tummy like after a big meal. Big smile! 'Full! Happy! Thanks, Jesus!'"

Teacher: "Jesus is more than food. Jesus is the BREAD OF LIFE. When we come to Him, we are truly satisfied. Full of joy. Full of love. Fullkingdom of God. Forever.And that is what Jesus wants from every single one of us, children AND grown-ups."

 

Review with Actions

Teacher: "Let's remember the storystories with actions!"

• Teacher: "TenParents thousandbrought hungrytheir people!kids to Jesus." (Kids spreadpretend armsto widetake a hand and rub tummies.walk.)
• Teacher: "OnlyDisciples fivesaid, loaves'Go and two fish.away!'" (Kids holdwag upfinger 5 fingers, then 2.)
• Teacher: "The little boy gave his lunch to Jesus." (Kids hold out pretend basket.sternly.)
• Teacher: "Jesus thankedsaid, God'Let andthem broke the bread.come!'" (Kids foldbeckon hands,with thenopen pretend to break bread.arms.)
• Teacher: "EveryoneCome ateto untilJesus theylike werea full!little child." (Kids pretendreach up like wanting to chewbe and pat tummies.carried.)
• Teacher: "TwelveZacchaeus basketswas ofshort leftovers!and sinful." (Kids countmake a sad face and crouch down.)
• Teacher: "Zacchaeus climbed the tree to 12see onJesus!" fingers.(Kids climb in place.)
• Teacher: "Jesus issaid, the'Come Breaddown! ofI'm Life.coming to your house!'" (Kids putwave hands over hearts.'come!')
• Teacher: "WithJesus Jesus,saved we are always satisfied!Zacchaeus." (Kids rubhand tummieson andheart, smilebig big.smile.)

Teacher: "Now faster!"

• "HungryGo people!away!" (Tummies.Wag finger.)
• "LittleLet lunch.them come!" (5Arms fingers, 2 fingers.open.)
• "GiveTrust itlike toa Jesus.child!" (HoldReach outup.)
basket.
• "Climb the tree!" (Climb.)
• "Come to my house!" (Wave.)
• "Jesus made it a feast!saves!" (BreakSmile, bread.)
• "Everyone full!" (Pat tummies.)
• "Jesus is the Bread of Life!" (Handhand on heart.)
• "Satisfied!" (Big smile.)

Wrap-up & Discussion (4 min)

 

(Gather children close for reflection.)

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Discussion Questions:

Teacher: "Let's think about what we learned today."

Question: "How many peopleWhy did Jesusthe feed,disciples andtry withto howstop muchthe food?children from coming to Jesus?"

Teacher Key: ThousandsThey thought Jesus was too busy and thousandstoo ofimportant people. With only five small loaves and twofor little fish.kids. OnlyBut Godthey couldwere dowrong. that.Jesus is never too busy for children.

Question: "HowWhat did Jesus say when He saw the disciples pushing kids away?"

Teacher Key: "Let the children come to Me! Do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God." Jesus was actually angry with the disciples for shooing the kids away.

Question: "What does it mean to come to Jesus like a little boychild?"

help

Teacher inKey: To come humbly, knowing we need help. To trust Jesus the miracle?way a child trusts a loving parent. To not pretend to be strong or good enough on our own.

Question: "Why did Zacchaeus climb the tree?"

Teacher Key: He gave Jesus all his food, even though it was only a small lunch. Jesus took what the boy gaveshort, and madehe itreally wanted to see Jesus. He did not care if he looked silly. He knew he needed Jesus more than enough.

he

Question: "Why did the people come looking for Jesus the next day?"

Teacher Key: They wanted more bread for their tummies. But Jesus wanted themneeded to wantlook HIM, not just more food.important.

Question: "What doeshappened when Jesus meancame whento HeZacchaeus's says He is the Bread of Life?house?"

Teacher Key: Jesus satisfiessaved ourhim! biggest, deepest hunger, ourZacchaeus's heart hungerwas forchanged. God.He Foodwanted fillsto ourgive tummiesback forthe money he had stolen. He became a fewnew hours. Jesus fills our hearts forever.person.

Question: "CanDo food,grown-ups toys,need orJesus candy make us truly happy forever?too?"

Teacher Key: No!YES! TheyEveryone, arechildren goodand gifts,grown-ups, butneeds theyJesus. runNo out.one can fix their own sinful heart. We getall hungrycome again.like Welittle getchildren, boredhelpless ofand the toy. Only Jesus gives a happiness that lasts.

Question: "How does Jesus make His friends truly satisfied?"

Teacher Key: He forgives our sin. He gives us His love. He makes us part of God's family. He promises us a home with Him forever.trusting.

Teacher: "OurThe tummiesgood willnews alwaystoday getis hungrythat again.you That'sare hownever Godtoo madelittle them.for ButJesus. ourIf heartsyou doare notsmall, Jesus welcomes you. If you are a grown-up, Jesus welcomes you, but you have to keep being empty. When we trust in Jesus, our hearts are filledcome with a joyheart that neverknows runsit out.needs Him, just like a child. Helpless. Trusting. Grateful."

Closing Thought & Prayer

 

Teacher: "Jesus takesnever careturns ofaway oura tummiessinner ANDwho ourcomes hearts.with Hea ischildlike heart. Even the Breadbiggest, oftoughest Life.grown-up Whenhas youto eat this week, thank God forcome the food.same Andway: remember,trusting, thesmall, deepestholding hungeron youtight. haveWhat isa onlykind filledSavior bywe Jesushave, Himself.who Comepicks toup Jesuslittle children in His arms and becalls satisfiedtax forever.collectors down from trees."

(Fold hands and bow heads.)

Prayer: "Dear Jesus, thank You forthat givingYou uslove foodlittle to eat every day.children. Thank You even more that You giveare usnever Yourself,too thebusy Breadfor of Life. Fill up our hearts with You.us. Help us to knowalways thatcome to You arewith bettertrusting thanhearts, anyknowing cookie,we anyneed candy,You. anyHelp toy,grown-ups anyto thingremember they need You too. Save and change every heart in thethis wholeroom, world.just like You changed Zacchaeus. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Memorizing Verse: JohnMark 6:35a10:14b

 

JohnMark 6:35a10:14b

[Jesus said,] "I amLet the breadchildren come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger,God."

Hand Gestures:

• "ILet am.the children come to me;": Open both arms wide and beckon with both hands, welcoming people in.
• "do not hinder them,": Shake head firmly and wag a finger "no" (do not stop them!).
• "for to such belongs...": Point to yourself (as if Jesus is speaking), thenout to aneveryone imaginaryaround Jesus.you, pointing at different people.
• "...the breadkingdom of life;God.": CupPoint handsup togetherto likeheaven holdingwith both hands, or form a loafbig ofcrown bread, then raise it up high.
• "whoever comes to me...": Beckon withover your hand, pulling people in toward yourself.
• "shall not hunger.": Pat your tummy and shake your head (not hungry anymore!).head.

Teacher Tip: PairFocus the versememorization with a call-and-response. Teacher: "Jesus said..." Kids: "I amon the breadfirst ofshort life!" Teacher:phrase: "WhoeverLet comesthe children come to Him...Me." Kids: "Shall not hunger!" Do it while rubbing tummies and smiling. This helpsAges 4-6 yearcan oldsall connectmaster that easily. Make it a victory cheer: "Let the wordschildren toCOME TO ME!" said with arms wide open. The second half can be call-and-response with the satisfiedteacher feeling.saying it first.

Craft & Game (10 mins)

Game: "WhatRed FillsLight, Jesus Light"

A twist on Red Light, Green Light. Children start far from the Hunger?teacher (who plays Jesus). When the teacher says, "Let the little children come to Me!" Sortingthe

Childrenchildren sortrun picturethree cardssteps intoforward. When the teacher says, "The disciples said, 'Go away!'" the children take two piles:steps "Tummyback. Hunger"The (thingsgame thatends fillwhen ourall tummies)children reach Jesus, and "Heartthey Hunger" (things our hearts need). They discover that only Jesus can fillsay the heartmemory hunger.verse Cards showing Jesus, love, forgiveness, and family belong in the Heart Hunger pile. Food, toys, and candy belong in the Tummy Hunger pile but they always run out.together.

⏰ Time: 5 minutes

👧 Age Group: 4-6 years

🧩 Lesson Connection: Reinforces that foodJesus andinvites thingschildren onlyto fillcome, useven upwhen forothers atry littleto while.send Jesus,them the Bread of Life, fills our hearts forever.away.

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🪜 Setup & Materials Needed:

• TwoOpen signs:space at least 10-15 feet long
• A paper "TummyJesus" Hunger"figure (withthe ateacher pictureholds, or the teacher plays the role of a growling tummy) and "Heart Hunger" (with a picture of a heart)
• Picture cards with images: sandwich, apple, pizza, cookie, toy, candy, Jesus, a hug, a cross, a smiling family, a Bible, forgiveness (picture of a heart being cleaned)Jesus
• Optional: a small bag of crackerschair or pretzelsstarting asline a snack at the endmarker

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🎲 How to Play:

Step 1: LayLine outup all the twochildren signs.at Shuffleone end of the cards.room. The teacher stands at the other end holding up the Jesus sign.

Step 2: HaveTeacher acalls child pick up a card. Ask:out: "IsJesus thissaid, for your tummy or for your heart?" Place'Let the cardlittle underchildren come to Me!'" Children take three big steps forward toward the matchingteacher sign.(arms open, like rushing to Jesus).

Step 3: KeepTeacher goingcalls until all cards are sorted. Celebrate as you find Jesus cards:out: "OnlyThe Jesusdisciples cansaid, fill'Go away!'" Children take two steps back, making a heart!"sad face.

Step 4: After all cards are sorted, look atAlternate the Tummycommands. HungerEventually pilethe "come to Me" wins out and say:children "These are good! God gives us these things. But they always run out. We get hungry again,reach the toy breaks, the candy is all gone."teacher.

Step 5: LookWhen ateveryone has reached Jesus, the Heartteacher Hungeropens pilearms wide and say:says, "ButWelcome! THESE,Jesus especially Jesus,is never runtoo out.busy Jesusfor fills our hearts FOREVER.you!" EveryoneThen patseveryone theirsays tummythe andmemory theirverse heart.

together

Stepwith 6: Teacher asks: "What is Jesus called that fills our hearts forever?" (The Bread of Life!)gestures.

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Craft: "BreadJesus ofLoves Life"Little BasketMe" Heart Photo Frame

Children make a paperheart-shaped basketframe that can hold their photo or a drawing of themselves, with athe littlememory loafverse inside. Onaround the loaf is written "Jesus is the Bread of Life." On the outside of the basket, they write or draw things they are thankful Jesus gives them (love, family, forgiveness, home forever).border. A take-home reminder that Jesus fillswelcomes theevery heart.child.

Materials: Pre-cut paperheart-shaped basketcardstock shapesframes (likebig a half-circleheart with a handle),smaller heart cut out in the middle for a pre-cut bread/loaf shape,photo/drawing), crayons or markers, glue sticks, optional stickers, the memory verse strip printed on a curved strip, a small paper.self-portrait drawn in class or a small photo.

The Activity:

• Step 1: ColorGive theeach basket brown or tan, to look likechild a wovenheart basket.frame. Have them color and decorate it with bright colors and stickers.
• Step 2: ColorIn the bread/loafmiddle golden-brown.(where Onthe onesmall sideheart is cut out), have them draw a picture of thethemselves, loaf, write (or helpglue thein childa write):photo "Jesusif is the Bread of Life."available.
• Step 3: GlueAround the breadedge insideof the basketheart, so it looks like it is sitting inglue the basket.memory verse: "Let the children come to me." (Mark 10:14b)
• Step 4: On the outsideback, ofwrite: the basket, have children draw or write things "Jesus giveswelcomes them that fill their hearts: a cross, a heart, their family, the Bible, a prayer, etc.me!"
• Step 5: GlueDecorate thewith memorymore versestickers stripif belowtime the basket: "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger." (John 6:35a)allows.
• Take Home: Children show their family: "Jesus issays, 'Let the Breadchildren ofcome Life!to FoodMe!' fillsThat's myme! tummyJesus for aloves little while, but Jesus fills my heart forever.me!"

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Response Song

Closing Prayer & Snack Time (10 mins)

"Dear Jesus, thank You that You feedwelcome ourlittle tummies every day.children. Thank You more that Youno areone theis Breadtoo of Life for our hearts. When we feel empty, hungry, lonely,small or sad,too remindsinful usto thatcome onlyto You can fill us up.You. Help us to cometrust You the way a child trusts a loving parent. Help us to know we need You every day. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Now, let us thank You for the snack we’re about to enjoy.
We fold our hands.
We bow our heads.
We thank You, God,
for this daily bread.
Amen.

Free Time & Children Pickup (15 mins)