The Feeding of the Five Thousand: A Bible Stories Colouring Book for Children: Jesus Feeds a Big Crowd: A Very Special Day!
Jesus feeds a big crowd: A very special day!
Have you ever been to a picnic with your family or friends? How much food did you bring and how much did you eat? Did you have any leftovers?
Jesus feeds a big crowd: A very special day!: Bible Stories Colouring Book
Now imagine going to a picnic with more than five thousand people! That's how many people were with Jesus one day when he performed one of his most amazing miracles. He fed them all with just five loaves of bread and two fish!
This is one of the most famous stories in the Bible, and it shows us how much Jesus cares for us and how he can do anything with God's power. In this article, we will explore this story in detail and see how we can use it as a colouring book for children.
Introduction
What is the story of Jesus feeding a big crowd?
The story of Jesus feeding a big crowd is found in all four Gospels: Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:1-15. It is also known as the feeding of the five thousand, because that's how many men were there, not counting women and children.
The story goes like this: Jesus and his twelve disciples had been travelling around Galilee, teaching and healing people. They were very busy and tired, so they decided to go to a deserted place near Bethsaida to rest. But when they got there, they saw a large crowd of people who had followed them on foot from the nearby towns. They wanted to see Jesus and hear his words.
Jesus had compassion on them and welcomed them. He taught them about God's kingdom and healed those who were sick. As the day was ending, he realized that they had no food and they were hungry. He asked his disciples to give them something to eat, but they only had five loaves of bread and two fish. That was not enough for such a large crowd.
So Jesus told them to bring him the loaves and fish. He told the people to sit down on the grass in groups of fifty or a hundred. Then he took the loaves and fish, looked up to heaven, and gave thanks to God. He broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, who distributed it to the people. He also divided the fish among them.
Everyone ate until they were full. Then Jesus told his disciples to gather up the leftover pieces of bread and fish. They filled twelve baskets with them! There were about five thousand men who ate, plus women and children. The people were amazed by what Jesus had done. They wanted to make him their king, but he withdrew to a mountain by himself.
Why is this story important for Christians?
This story is important for Christians for many reasons. Here are some of them:
It shows us that Jesus is the Son of God, who has the power to do miracles and provide for our needs.
It shows us that Jesus is the Bread of Life, who gives us spiritual food and satisfies our souls.
It shows us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, who cares for his sheep and feeds them with his word.
It shows us that Jesus is the King of kings, who rules over all creation and deserves our worship.
It shows us that Jesus is the Master Teacher, who teaches us with authority and wisdom.
It shows us that Jesus is the Compassionate Healer, who heals our diseases and wounds.
This story also teaches us some important lessons about faith, obedience, gratitude, generosity, and sharing. We will see more of these lessons in the conclusion.
How to use this Bible stories colouring book
What are the benefits of colouring for children?
Colouring is a fun and creative activity that children of all ages can enjoy. It has many benefits for their development and well-being, such as:
It improves their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
It enhances their concentration and attention span.
It stimulates their imagination and creativity.
It boosts their self-esteem and confidence.
It reduces their stress and anxiety.
It helps them express their emotions and feelings.
It fosters their learning and memory.
Colouring can also be a great way to introduce children to the Bible and its stories. It can help them remember the main characters, events, and messages of each story. It can also spark their curiosity and interest in learning more about God and his word.
How to choose the best colours for each scene
There is no right or wrong way to colour a picture. You can use any colours you like and experiment with different combinations and shades. However, if you want to make your colouring more realistic and meaningful, you can follow some tips on how to choose the best colours for each scene:
Think about the time of day, the season, and the weather of each scene. For example, if it is daytime, you can use bright colours like yellow, orange, blue, and green. If it is night time, you can use dark colours like black, purple, navy, and grey. If it is summer, you can use warm colours like red, pink, orange, and yellow. If it is winter, you can use cool colours like blue, green, purple, and white. If it is sunny, you can use light colours like white, yellow, and pink. If it is cloudy or rainy, you can use dull colours like grey, brown, and beige.
Think about the mood and emotion of each scene. For example, if it is a happy scene, you can use bright colours like yellow, orange, pink, and green. If it is a sad scene, you can use dark colours like black, purple, blue, and grey. If it is a peaceful scene, you can use soft colours like white, light blue, light green, and light purple. If it is a scary scene, you can use bold colours like red, black, dark purple, and dark green.
Think about the meaning and symbolism of each colour. For example, red can mean love, passion, courage, or danger. Blue can mean sky, water, calmness, or sadness. Green can mean nature, life, growth, or envy. Yellow can mean sun, light, joy, or cowardice. Purple can mean royalty, wisdom, spirituality, or mystery. White can mean purity, innocence, peace, or emptiness. Black can mean darkness, evil, death, or power.
You can also mix different colours to create new ones or add some effects like shading or highlighting. You can use crayons, coloured pencils, markers, or paints to colour your pictures. You can also use stickers, glitter, or other materials to decorate your pictures.
How to make your own colouring book from the Bible
If you want to make your own colouring book from the Bible, you can follow these steps:
or the New Testament. You can also use a Bible verse or a theme as your inspiration.
Divide the story into several scenes or parts. You can use the headings and subheadings of this article as a guide or create your own. Try to include the main characters, events, and messages of each scene or part.
Draw a sketch of each scene or part on a piece of paper. You can use a pencil, a pen, or any other tool you like. You can also use online tools like Canva or Sketchpad to draw your sketches digitally. You can make your sketches as simple or as detailed as you want. You can also add some words or captions to explain each scene or part.
Scan or take a picture of your sketches and save them on your computer or device. You can also print them out if you want.
Arrange your sketches in order and add some cover pages and titles to your colouring book. You can use a word processor like Microsoft Word or Google Docs to do this. You can also use online tools like Flipsnack or Book Creator to make your colouring book more interactive and attractive.
Save your colouring book as a PDF file and share it with your friends, family, or anyone else who might enjoy it. You can also print it out and bind it together to make a physical copy of your colouring book.
Congratulations! You have just made your own colouring book from the Bible! Have fun colouring it and learning more about God and his word!
The story of Jesus feeding a big crowd in detail
The setting: A deserted place near Bethsaida
How did Jesus and his disciples get there?
The story begins with Jesus and his disciples returning from their mission trip around Galilee. They had been sent by Jesus to preach the good news of God's kingdom and to heal the sick. They had done many wonderful things in his name and they were eager to tell him everything they had done and taught.
But they had no time to rest or eat, because there were so many people coming and going around them. They were like sheep without a shepherd, lost and helpless. Jesus saw this and he felt sorry for them. He said to his disciples, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."
So they got into a boat and left for a deserted place near Bethsaida, on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. They hoped to find some peace and quiet there, away from the crowds.
Who were the people who followed them?
But the people saw them leaving and they guessed where they were going. They ran on foot from all the towns and villages around the lake and got there ahead of them. They were desperate to see Jesus and hear his words. They had heard about his miracles and teachings and they wanted to experience them for themselves.
They were people from different backgrounds, cultures, and religions. Some were Jews, some were Gentiles, some were rich, some were poor, some were healthy, some were sick, some were young, some were old. But they all had one thing in common: they needed Jesus.
They were like hungry sheep looking for food, thirsty deer looking for water, weary travellers looking for rest. They were like lost coins looking for their owner, prodigal sons looking for their father, broken vessels looking for their maker. They were like you and me.
The problem: No food for the hungry crowd
How did Jesus find out about the problem?
When Jesus arrived at the deserted place, he saw the large crowd waiting for him. He was not angry or annoyed with them. He was moved with compassion for them. He welcomed them and spoke to them about God's kingdom. He also healed those who needed healing.
He did this for several hours, until it was late in the afternoon. Then he realized that they had no food and they were hungry. He knew that they had come from far away and they had nothing to eat. He also knew that there was no place nearby where they could buy food.
He cared about their physical needs as well as their spiritual needs. He wanted to feed them as well as teach them. He wanted to satisfy their bodies as well as their souls.
How did the disciples react to the problem?
Jesus turned to his disciples and said, "You give them something to eat." He wanted to test their faith and teach them a lesson. He wanted them to see that he could do anything with God's power and that they could be his partners in his work.
But the disciples did not understand what he meant. They thought he was asking them to buy food for the crowd. They said, "That would take more than half a year's wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?" They thought it was impossible and impractical. They did not have enough money or resources to feed such a large crowd.
They also did not have enough faith or vision to see what Jesus could do. They did not remember how he had turned water into wine, calmed the storm, healed the sick, and raised the dead. They did not realize that he was the Lord of creation, who could multiply food as well as miracles.
The solution: Jesus performs a miracle with five loaves and two fish
How did Jesus get the loaves and fish?
Jesus asked his disciples, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." He wanted them to see how little they had and how much he could do with it. He wanted them to trust him and obey him.
They went and searched among the crowd. They found a boy who had five barley loaves and two small fish. He had brought them as his lunch, but he was willing to share them with Jesus. He gave them to Andrew, one of the disciples, who brought them to Jesus.
The loaves and fish were very small and humble. They were not enough for one person, let alone five thousand. They were like a drop in the ocean, a grain of sand in the desert, a star in the sky. They were like our gifts and talents, our time and money, our faith and love.
What did he do with them?
Jesus took the loaves and fish and looked up to heaven. He gave thanks to God for providing them. He blessed them and broke them. He gave them to his disciples, who gave them to the people.
He did this with reverence and gratitude. He acknowledged God as the source of everything. He praised him for his goodness and generosity. He asked him for his blessing and guidance.
He did this with authority and power. He commanded the loaves and fish to multiply. He performed a miracle that only God could do. He showed his glory and majesty.
How many people were fed and how much was left over?
As the people ate, they were amazed by what they saw and tasted. The bread was fresh and warm, the fish was tender and juicy, the flavour was rich and satisfying. There was enough for everyone, no matter how much they ate. There was no shortage or waste.
The Bible tells us that there were about five thousand men who ate, plus women and children. That means there could have been more than ten thousand people in total! That's more than the population of some towns or cities!
The Bible also tells us that there were twelve baskets full of leftover pieces of bread and fish. That means there was more food left over than what they started with! That's more than enough for another meal or two!
Conclusion
What can we learn from this story?
This story is full of lessons that we can learn from Jesus, his disciples, the boy, and the crowd. Here are some of them:
We can learn from Jesus that he is our provider, who can meet all our needs according to his riches in glory.
We can learn from Jesus that he is our teacher, who can teach us about God's kingdom and his will for our lives.
We can learn from Jesus that he is our leader, who can guide us to the right place at the right time for the right purpose.
We can learn from Jesus that he is our friend, who can welcome us with compassion and kindness.
We can learn from Jesus that he is our Lord, who can do anything with nothing.
We can learn from the disciples that we need to trust Jesus and obey him, even when we don't understand or agree with him.
We can learn from the disciples that we need to share what we have with Jesus and others, even when we think it is not enough or important.
hard or impossible.
We can learn from the boy that we need to be generous and humble, even when we have little or nothing to offer.
We can learn from the boy that we need to be faithful and obedient, even when we don't know what will happen or how it will help.
We can learn from the boy that we need to be willing and available, even when we are young or insignificant.
We can learn from the crowd that we need to seek Jesus and follow him, even when we have to leave our comfort zones or face challenges.
We can learn from the crowd that we need to listen to Jesus and learn from him, even when we have doubts or questions.
We can learn from the crowd that we need to eat from Jesus and be filled by him, even when we have other sources or options.
How can we apply this story to our lives today?
This story is not only a historical event that happened long ago. It is also a living example that can inspire us and challenge us today. Here are some ways we can apply this story to our lives today:
We can thank God for his provision and ask him for our daily bread.
We can trust God for his power and expect him to do miracles in our lives.
We can praise God for his glory and worship him with all our hearts.
We can share God's love and grace with others and invite them to his table.
We can serve God's kingdom and purpose with others and use our gifts and talents for his glory.
We can learn God's word and truth with others and grow in our faith and knowledge of him.
This story shows us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is still feeding his people with his word and his spirit. He is still performing miracles with his power and his grace. He is still inviting us to join him in his work and his joy. He is still waiting for us to respond to him with faith and obedience.
Will you come to him today? Will you give him what you have today? Will you receive what he has for you today?
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about this story and their answers:
Q: How many times did Jesus feed a big crowd in the Bible?A: Jesus fed a big crowd twice in the Bible. The first time was the feeding of the five thousand, which we have discussed in this article. The second time was the feeding of the four thousand, which is recorded in Matthew 15:32-39 and Mark 8:1-10. The two stories are similar but not identical. They happened in different locations, involved different numbers of people and food, and had different meanings and messages.
Q: What did Jesus mean when he said, "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35)?A: Jesus said this after he fed the five thousand and walked on water. He was trying to explain to the people who followed him that he was more than a miracle worker or a food provider. He was the Son of God who came down from heaven to give eternal life to those who believe in him. He was the true bread that satisfies our spiritual hunger and thirst. He was the living bread that gives us his flesh and blood as our food and drink. He was the bread of life that sustains us in this life and the next.
Q: What is the significance of the twelve baskets of leftovers?A: There are different interpretations of the meaning of the twelve baskets of leftovers. Some say they represent the twelve tribes of Israel, who were God's chosen people in the Old Testament. Some say they represent the twelve apostles of Jesus, who were his witnesses in the New Testament. Some say they represent the twelve months of the year, which symbolize God's provision for all seasons. Some say they represent the abundance and generosity of God, who gives us more than we need or ask.
Q: How can we make our own loaves and fish today?A: We may not have literal loaves and fish today, but we have other things that we can offer to Jesus and others. We have our time, money, resources, skills, talents, abilities, gifts, passions, interests, hobbies, experiences, stories, testimonies, prayers, praises, thanks, and more. We can use these things to serve God and his kingdom, to bless others and meet their needs, to share the gospel and spread his love, to glorify him and enjoy him. We can also ask God to multiply our loaves and fish and make them go further than we can imagine.
Q: How can we colour this story?A: We can colour this story in many ways. We can use the tips we have learned in this article on how to choose the best colours for each scene. We can also use our own creativity and imagination to make the story come alive. We can also use our own emotions and feelings to express how the story affects us. We can also use our own faith and vision to see how the story applies to us.
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