Matthew 14:13–21; John 6:5–14

Jesus Feeds the 5,000

After Jesus Christ learned that John the Baptist had been beheaded, He traveled with His Apostles to a solitary place. They were followed by a multitude. Even though He was suffering, the Savior had compassion on the crowd and taught and fed the people—5,000 men plus women and children. This lesson can help you be more compassionate and selfless like Jesus Christ. It can also help you gain greater confidence that because of Jesus Christ your humble offerings will be enough.

Trusting in your students. Teachers should trust that with proper guidance and encouragement, students can understand the scriptures, learn to identify doctrine and principles, explain the gospel to others, and apply gospel teachings in their lives.

Student preparation: Invite students to pray for and seek an opportunity to serve someone before the next class. Encourage them to pay attention to how they feel as they serve.

Possible Learning Activities

What advice would you give?

The scenarios below correspond with two different principles taught in the Savior’s feeding of the 5,000. Consider students’ needs, and determine if it is best to study one principle as a class or, if students would benefit from studying a principle of their choosing, individually or in small groups. Separate recommended study activities correspond with each scenario.

Read the following two scenarios, and choose which one you would like to focus on while studying this lesson. Think about what you might say to help Roger or Claire.

1. Your friend Roger was really close with his cousin who recently passed away unexpectedly. Each time you have tried to visit, Roger has told you he wants to be left alone. After you’ve made many attempts, he finally lets you in. As he begins to open up, he says, “This has been really hard for me. How can I get through it?”

2. Your friend Claire was just called to be the president of her Young Women class. She is already very busy, and she feels that other young women in her class are more outgoing and could do a better job. Claire shares her concerns with you and says, “I’m not sure I can do this.”

Throughout this lesson, look for truths that could help someone who feels like Roger or Claire. More importantly, have a prayer in your heart for Heavenly Father to reveal to you how these truths can help you and those you love. The account of Jesus feeding the 5,000 contains principles that can help us in these kinds of situations. Study the section that pertains to the scenario you chose. After you have studied, you will get to share what you learned.

Print and distribute the following handouts. As needed, move around the classroom to help students with their study.

Scenario 1: Roger—What can help me get through difficult times? (Matthew 14:13–23)

In Matthew 14:1–12, we learn that John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod. Imagine the emotions Jesus may have felt when He heard that His friend and cousin had been killed.

Study what the Savior did in Matthew 14:13–23, looking for and marking evidence of this principle: we can follow the example of Jesus Christ by showing compassion and serving others even while we are experiencing our own difficulties. Note that a “desert place” (verse 13) is a solitary place, and “victuals” (verse 15) means “food.”

• What did you find in these verses that supports this principle?

• What did Jesus do even after learning that John the Baptist had been killed?

• How could the Lord’s example of selfless service help somebody who is struggling?

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught how we can develop Christlike character:

Character is revealed, for example, in the power to discern the suffering of other people when we ourselves are suffering; in the ability to detect the hunger of others when we are hungry; and in the power to reach out and extend compassion for the spiritual agony of others when we are in the midst of our own spiritual distress. Therefore, character is demonstrated by looking, turning, and reaching outward when the instinctive response of the natural man in each of us is to turn inward and to be selfish and self-absorbed. …

… Indeed, it is possible for us as mortals to strive in righteousness to receive the spiritual gifts associated with the capacity to reach outward and appropriately respond to other people who are experiencing the very challenge or adversity that is most immediately and forcefully pressing upon us.

We cannot obtain such a capacity through sheer will power or personal determination. Rather, we need and are dependent upon “the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah” (2 Nephi 2:8).

(David A. Bednar, quoted in Sarah Jane Weaver, “Elder Bednar Addresses ‘the Character of Christ’ during 2019 Mission Leadership Seminar,” Church News, July 9, 2019)

As you prepare to share what you learned, ponder experiences you have had serving others.

• Why do you think Christlike service can help us during our own challenges?

Scenario 2: Claire—Will my efforts be enough to do what the Lord has asked of me? (John 6:5–14)

When Jesus and His disciples saw a multitude approaching, the disciples feared that they did not have enough food to feed everyone.

Study the account of Jesus feeding the 5,000 in John 6:5–14, looking for and marking evidence of this principle: When we offer the Savior all that we have, He can multiply our efforts to accomplish His purposes.

• What did you find in these verses that supports this principle?

• How do you think the disciples or the young boy felt about what they had to offer compared to what was needed?

Read the following statement by Sister Michelle D. Craig, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency:

Have you ever felt your talents and gifts were too small for the task ahead? I have. But you and I can give what we have to Christ, and He will multiply our efforts. What you have to offer is more than enough—even with your human frailties and weaknesses—if you rely on the grace of God.

(Michelle D. Craig, “Divine Discontent,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 54)

• What are different ways we can “give what we have to Christ”?

• What did you learn from this account of Jesus feeding the 5,000 that could help someone who worries that what they can give will not be enough?

As you prepare to share what you learned, think of examples from your life or the lives of others when you have seen the Savior multiply someone’s efforts to accomplish His work. Think about how you could use the example of Jesus feeding the 5,000 to help your friend with the challenge in the scenario you chose.

Consider displaying the following instructions and inviting students to share their answers with their partners.

• Share what you want them to know and feel about Jesus Christ.

• Explain what they can do to follow the Lord’s example and access His power.

• Include at least one phrase from the scriptures or the quote that you studied.

• Share a personal experience or testimony to support what you are teaching.

Consider concluding by sharing a personal experience and testimony of the peace that has come by serving others or of the Savior’s ability to multiply our faithful efforts.

Commentary and Background Information

How many people did Jesus feed?

The Greek text of Mark 6:44 makes clear that the phrase “five thousand men” meant five thousand males. Matthew 14:21 makes this unmistakable by adding the statement “beside women and children.”

(New Testament Student Manual [2014], 115)

On a separate occasion, Jesus fed a multitude of 4,000 men plus women and children. (See Matthew 15:32–38; Mark 8:1–9.)

How does helping others strengthen me?

President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency said:

We must notice the tribulation of others and try to help. That will be especially hard when we are being sorely tested ourselves. But we will discover as we lift another’s burden, even a little, that our backs are strengthened and we sense a light in the darkness.

(Henry B. Eyring, “Tested, Proved, and Polished,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 98)

Can Jesus really multiply my efforts?

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Don’t worry about Christ running out of ability to help you. His grace is sufficient. That is the spiritual, eternal lesson of the feeding of the 5,000.

(Jeffrey R. Holland, Trusting Jesus [2003], 73)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Trying to please others instead of doing what we know is right can lead to regret

Consider writing the truth stated in this heading on the board. Invite students to think of situations where youth must choose between pleasing others and doing what is right. Then invite the students to read Mark 6:17–27, looking for poor decisions King Herod made because of his desire to please others. After students report what they found, ask questions like the following to help them better understand the truth in the heading.

• How have you seen that giving in to negative peer pressure brings regret?

• Who has been a good example to you of following the Savior when faced with negative peer pressure? What have you learned through their example?

• What are some ways we can turn to the Savior when we are pressured to do something we know is wrong?

Gratitude can help us be more like Jesus Christ

Direct students’ attention to John 6:11. Help them see that Jesus gave thanks before distributing the loaves and fishes. Invite students to consider recording the following statement near verse 11 or in their study journals:

“Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike attributes!”

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Grateful in Any Circumstances,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 77)

• What does the Savior’s example teach you about gratitude?

• How do you think gratitude can lead to other Christlike attributes?

Developing Christlike compassion and sacrifice

Consider using these videos to illustrate the following truths:

• We can follow the example of Jesus Christ by showing compassion and serving others even while we are experiencing our own difficulties.

• When we offer the Savior all that we have, He can multiply our efforts to accomplish His purposes.