John 6:1-15

Sermon Response

THE FEEDING OF THE 5,000

The feeding of the 5,000 is the first story that is told in all four gospels. Its power and importance are apparent but it is the truths found within that make it life changing. It would be worth your while to read the harmonized account of the story at the bottom of the sermon response.

Discuss:

  1. Why do you think Jesus wanted to get away with his disciples? Why is rest important in ministry?

  2. Why do you think Jesus was testing Phillip? Did Phillip pass the test?

  3. What drove Jesus to feed all the people? Does Jesus’ compassion impact your view of God?

  4. Why do you think the people tried to make Jesus king by force?

Respond:

1. I proposed three truths that we must take away from this story. The first being that Jesus desires “disciples” and not just “fans”. How would you describe a disciple? A fan?

  1. I said that compassion fuels ministry. Do you have compassion for the world around you? Does it drive you to serve others?

  2. I said ministry never seems to happen on your schedule. Are you selfless? Do you place the needs of others ahead of your own?

  3. I think we can see our selfishness or selflessness most glaringly in three areas. Evaluate your level of selfishness or selflessness in each of the following three areas.

    1. Serving: specifically serving those around you and the church?

    2. Giving: are you selfless (generous) with your finances? Would you have bought the bread?

    3. Community: does your selfishness of cause
    you to be isolated or only have shallow relationships?

Prayer

God give me eyes to see the world the way you do, with great compassion. Give me the grace to follow you daily and lay down my own life for the sake of others. Make me more like you Jesus!!!!

Harmonized Account of the feeding of the 5000

So they went away by themselves in a boat to the far shore, to a solitary place in the town of Behsaida. But many who saw them leaving recognized Jesus and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. They were so excited because of all the miraculous signs they had seen Jesus perform on the sick. When Jesus landed and saw the large crowd, he had compassion on them and welcomed them, because they were like sheep with a shepherd. Jesus then went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples and began teaching the

crowd many things about the kingdom of God, and he also healed those who needed healing. This all took place near the Jewish passover feast.

When Jesus looked up and saw the great crowd, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

By this time it was late in the day, so the Twelve said to Jesus, “This is a remote place and it’s already very late. Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding villages and find food and lodging. But Jesus answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “It would take eight months wages! Are we suppose to spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” How many loaves do you have? He asked. “Go and see.”

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barely loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Bring them to me then have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sad down in groups of hundreds and fifties, there were about 5000 of them, besides women and children. Jesus then took the five loaves and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the two fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with pieces of the five barley loaves.

After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this the the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go to the other side of the lake, while he dismissed the crowd. But knowing the people intended to make him king by force, Jesus withdrew to a mountain by himself to pray! 

Summit Church