Sermon Based Curriculum
Sermon Date: Feb. 21, 2010
Sermon Title: Becoming A Game Changer
Sermon Text: John 6:1-15; 48-51
Small Group Text: John 6:1-15 and Mark 6:34-44
Introduction
Describe a time when you’ve encountered someone else’s personal need and felt overwhelmed. Did you ever wish they and their need would just go away? In John 6, we are looking at a story familiar to many of us – the feeding of the 5,000. This story is the only miracle of Jesus recorded in all four Gospels. The problem presented in this passage is the lack of sufficient resources to meet the demands of an overwhelming dilemma. The disciples offer solutions that fall far short; but Jesus’ solution effectively wins the day! As we read, let’s see what strategies Jesus lays out for his disciples as they meet the overwhelming need.
Discussion
Read John 6:1-15 1. What is the setting of this story? 2. What problem are Jesus and his disciples facing? 3. Read Mark 6:34-36 and note an interesting detail that John left out. How did Jesus’ attitude toward the people differ from the disciples’ attitude? 4. Read John 6:5-6. Why would Jesus ask Phillip to solve an overwhelming problem when Jesus already had the solution? 5. Read Mark 6:38. Why would Jesus ask Andrew and the disciples to take an inventory of potential resources?
Application
1. What is your typical reaction to overwhelming problems that seem to have no ready-made solutions? 2. In this passage, Jesus’ presents his problem solving strategy: • • • •
He asseses the need. (Mark 6:34-35; John 6:5) He instructs his disciples to be his hands and feet in order to meet the needs. (Mark 6:37; John 6:5; Luke 9:13) He directs His disciples to take inventory of potential resources. (Mark 6:38; John 6:8) He acquires the limited resources his disciples had to offer and then performs a miracle of multiplication.
3. How can you apply Jesus’ problem solving strategy to address your over-whelming problems? 4. Take an inventory of the resources you have been given. In other words, count your blessings. How can you meet someone else’s need with the resources that God has given you? • • • • • •
Your residence? Your car? Your job? Your family? Your health? Your talents?
5. Bottom line: Before God does His part to address the great dilemmas of our lives, what steps are we to take?
Sermon-Based Curriculum