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? (Jesus and his disciples withdraw from the multitudes to find rest; but to no avail: " So they went away by themselves in
a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them." [Mark 6:32-33]. People have scoped out the boat and are tracking it on foot in anticipation of where it might land. When the boat finally comes to shore, there is a growing mass of people waiting. Jesus welcomes them (receives them favorably) and begins to minister to their needs, teaching and healing on the side of a mountain. See also Luke 9:11)
2. What problem are Jesus and his disciples facing? (This is a spontaneous gathering: few people have given thought to procuring food provisions prior to rushing off to meet Jesus (Luke 9:12). By day’s end, 5,000 men and probably some families members are hungry and still have miles to travel on their return home.)
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? (The disciples, tired and hungry, want the masses to go away. Even when Jesus instructs his disciples to feed the people, they push back on the idea with “practical” arguments: "That would take more money than
we have!” (Mark 6:37; Luke 9:12; John 6:7) But Jesus had a different perspective toward the people: "He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. (Mark 6:34). Jesus perceives the needs of others and continues to minister regardless of his hunger and fatigue; and he expects his disciples to also become selfless. See Matt. 15:22-28 for another example where Jesus and His disciples differ in their proposed solutions to people’s needs.)
4. Read John 6:5-6. Why would Jesus ask Phillip to solve an overwhelming problem when Jesus already had the solution? (Jesus has already anticipated the dilemma. This was a test for the disciples. Before they could serve God effectively, they had to become profoundly aware of the inadequacy of their own resources.)
5. Read Mark 6:38. Why would Jesus ask Andrew and the disciples to take an inventory of potential resources? (To make the point that, while they did not have the necessary resources, “what they thought they needed,” [John 6:8]
Application
they had more than enough once it was surrendered to the Son of God.)
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