God's Grand Story: The Boy with Super Sized Supper
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
9 “There is a boy here who has five small loaves of barley bread and two fish. But what good is that with all these people?” 10 The ground was covered with grass, and Jesus told his disciples to tell everyone to sit down. About 5,000 men were in the crowd. 11 Jesus took the bread in his hands and gave thanks to God. Then he passed the bread to the people, and he did the same with the fish, until everyone had plenty to eat. 12 The people ate all they wanted, and Jesus told his disciples to gather up the leftovers, so that nothing would be wasted. 13 The disciples gathered them up and filled twelve large baskets with what was left over from the five barley loaves.
John 6:9-13
Memory Verse
John 6:11
11 Jesus took the bread in his hands and gave thanks to God. Then he passed the bread to the people, and he did the same with the fish, until everyone had plenty to eat.
Have you ever felt like what you have is not enough? Maybe not enough Lego blocks to finish your masterpiece? Or not enough speed to win that race? Or not enough money to help a neighbor in need? Well, you're not alone. In today's Bible story, a boy thought that what he had was not enough either. But like him, you will be surprised by what God can do with our not-enoughs.
One day, a crowd of more than 5,000 people spent the day watching and listening to Jesus. When it was suppertime, there was no food nearby. Everyone was starving. And the only one who was smart enough to bring a snack was a young boy. He had two small fish and five loaves of bread. He was kind enough to share what he had with others, but he did not have enough for thousands of people! But this boy had enough trust to give his not enoughs to Jesus, who then thanked God for the food and asked God to bless it. As Jesus gave his disciples the boy's food, it miraculously multiplied as they passed it out to the crowd. Every tummy was full, and there were also 12 baskets of food left over. Talk about a super-sized meal!
There may be lots of things you think you don't have enough of. Not enough strength, not enough brainpower, not enough self-control. No matter what it is, remember our God can make more than enough with your not enoughs. All you have to do is thank God for what you do have and ask him to bless it.
Prayer
Father God, thank you for being the God of abundance. Help me trust what you can do when I offer up what I have to you. In Christ’s name, I pray, Amen.Related Resources
Jenée V. Giles-Hamilton
Jenée V. Giles-Hamilton is a wife, TV writer, and homeschools two of her four sons (ages five years old to 21). She loves searching for the perfect picture books to read to her younger sons and Bible devotions to share at family dinners. She also enjoys caring for their two cats: Nano-Rex and Santi Cat.