For each passage, there is a collectable card alongside high-quality character images and a colouring page. All other graphics are extra’s!
Click on the images below to see a larger version. Save the images by right click + ‘save image as’ (computers) OR long press + ‘save image’ (mobile).
These images are NOT copyright free.
These resources are provided for personal/classroom use only. Use can use them for teaching, games, publicity, decorations, big screen presentations, flannel graphs, stickers, or any other non-commercial activity in your church, school, home, or organised group. You may not use them in products you are going to sell (both printed and digital). Nor may you upload the original images online, on websites, social media or in YouTube videos. Any questions, please reach out to me using the contact page link at the end of the page.
This passage of teaching seems to go totally over the heads of those who were listening to Jesus, and it’s not a big jump that kids concrete thinking could risk us doing the same thing. Kids struggle with transference, the ability to transfer a quality of one thing to another, developmentally they aren’t there, but they can cope well with symbolism. The people in this story seem to confuse the two. Jesus stops their clumsy understanding and goes back to the basic symbol before starting them down the right transference path. If you can take some time to talk about sharing the bread and wine in church services, that would help to solidify the symbol in their heads. If your kids’ ages are already in double digits, they can probably run with the transference, and you can start to draw lines on how Jesus could be ‘like’ bread.
This retold version of the Bible passage is supplied for inspiration, feel free to omit or embellish to give it your personal voice.
Jesus was becoming a celebrity. So far, people had rushed around the sea of Galilee to follow him and Jesus had fed thousands of them with just a tiny packed lunch! Then, he had walked on the water to meet his friends in the boat, and now they were back home in Capernaum. When the crowds realized what had happened, they found boats to bring them back to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
When Jesus heard they were coming, he sighed. He really wanted to teach them all about God, but he knew they just wanted free food. When the crowd got there, Jesus started to teach them.
“I am the bread of life, come down from heaven” Jesus said, “Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
“Did he say he came from heaven” mumbled one man?
“I know his dad Joseph and his mother Mary” mumbled another
“What does he mean by saying he comes from heaven, he comes from Nazareth” argued a third?
“What does ‘Bread of Life’ even mean,” argued a forth?
“Wasn’t bread from heaven the manna our people ate long ago in the desert?” said a young man.
“Never hungry or thirsty sounds good, who cares about the rest, I want some of that bread” shouted a thin old man.
Soon the whole crowd was arguing about the words Jesus had said.
“Enough!” shouted Jesus over the noise. “Stop complaining” “I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate heaven sent bread ‘manna’ in the desert, remember, but they died. I am the living bread sent from heaven. Eat this bread and you will live. The bread I will give will be me, my body. I will do this for everyone in the whole world.”
Even Jesus’ friends looked confused. They, too, were searching, not to fill their stomachs but to fill the empty places in their heart, and the bread Jesus would give them would never leave them feeling empty again.
Today’s hero is Jesus because he shows us the gift of Bread.
Spin this little craft quickly to see the optical illusion, Jacob between what will be his two wives, Rachel and Leah. It’s a simple stick and paper setup and perfect for a short or easy craft.
To make this craft, you will need the 1-page template printout, scissors, some double-sided tape or glue and a straw or chopstick. Please note the black and white version has Jacob in colour as his images need to be identical for it to work. Print in greyscale if needed.
Start by cutting out the rectangle.
Fold in half.
Add glue or double-sided tape to one side and position the stick. There are small extra boxes on the printout to mark the middle.
Stick the two sides together.
Spin to see both images blend into one.
Help keep the free items on this site free by donating. This site supports my family as we live by God's great economy.
For each passage, there is a collectable card alongside high-quality character images and a colouring page. All other graphics are extra’s!
Click on the images below to see a larger version. Save the images by right click + ‘save image as’ (computers) OR long press + ‘save image’ (mobile).
These images are NOT copyright free.
These resources are provided for personal/classroom use only. Use can use them for teaching, games, publicity, decorations, big screen presentations, flannel graphs, stickers, or any other non-commercial activity in your church, school, home, or organised group. You may not use them in products you are going to sell (both printed and digital). Nor may you upload the original images online, on websites, social media or in YouTube videos. Any questions, please reach out to me using the contact page link at the end of the page.
This is a story of love and deception. Jacob works for 7 years with nobody tipping him off to the plan or requirement that the oldest daughter must marry first. These games tie into that number 7 and the idea of deception. Choose the game best suited to your age range and space.
This simple pairs game can be printed by clicking on the image. It contains 8 pairs to find. Separate the cards, mix, then place face down. Turn 2 cards to try to match the pairs. If they match leave face up, otherwise reset.
I can do 7
Under 7’s
Any size group
No Setup time
Noisy game
Space needed
Everybody standups and have your kids name actions they can do seven times. Seven star-jumps, seven hops, seven claps, the list is endless.
Under the cup
Ages 7+
Any size group
Requires setup time
Noisy game
Can be seated
This classic guessing game where a small object is placed under one of three cups before them being shifted about on a table is well-known for its tricksters. However, it’s also a good illustration of how easily one can lose which one is which.
Question treasure hunt
Ages 7+
Any size group
Requires setup time
Noisy game
Space needed
Hide sequential clues written as questions. Search to find the next question, the answer to that question tells them where to find the next question, and so on. End with some form of treasure. Link: Jacob repeating his 7 years of work to finally marry Rachel.
Blind mans buff
All Ages
Any size group
No Setup time
Noisy game
Space needed
This classic game of trying to find people while blindfolded ties into the lesson nicely – how was Jacob tricked with a blindfold. What other clues could Jacob have noticed? How did we identify people?
Disguises
Under 7’s
Small group
Requires setup time
Noisy game
Space needed
If you have very young children, this story is a great chance to let them play dress-up. Who will they become?
