5+2 = 5000+
Scripture: John 6:1-14 (NRSVue)
Five thousand hungry people were looking expectantly at Jesus. Jesus then looks at his disciples and says, “you give them something to eat.” The disciples frantically scraped around for food and there wasn’t much. Five loaves and two fish was all they could come up with. Barley bread was the cheapest of bread, really more for feeding beasts than feeding humans. And the two fish were likely the size of a sardine– and they were likely either pickled or dried—straight from the tin can. Ummm, um! Yet Jesus says these wonderful 5 words: BRING THEM HERE TO ME. Jesus is still speaking and saying today, “bring me what you have.” Little is much in the hands of Jesus. However little or insignificant it is—Christ can multiply it and mightily use you and it in his service. Jesus takes you and what you have seriously…so entrust your life and your resources to Jesus and he will bless and multiply it to bless others and make a difference.
November 12, 2023
8:30 am – Alternative Worship Service Bulletin (click)
11:00 am – Traditional Worship Service Bulletin (click)
Sermon Art: “5 Loaves of Bread and 2 Fish,” Project Made New, etsy.com
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Bible Study Questions – John 6:1-14 (NRSVue)
- Thoughts or questions about the passage?
- Why do you think this miracle is the only miracle found in all four gospels?
- What similarities do you see between Moses and Jesus?
- How does the world (and self-help gurus) tell us to maximize our potential? How does Jesus?
- Do you think Jesus struggled with being a celebrity? How did he keep himself centered?
- What do you think of Jesus’ trick question about feeding the 5000 when he already knew his plan of action?
- Why does God often start with what we have (i.e. 5 loaves & 2 fish) rather than just performing a miracle out of thin air?
- Jesus takes who we are and what we have seriously. How will our lives change if we do too?
- What do you think of Hudson Taylor’s quote: God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”
- What was the significance of having leftovers—and 12 baskets full of leftovers? How can we appreciate leftovers today?
- Jesus said he is the Bread from Heaven and the Bread of Life. How do we experience and extend this reality today? Does this apply to literally feeding the hungry and sharing Jesus’ spiritual food? How do we do that?
Other Sermons In This Series
Bread of Life
November 18, 2023