05 Jn 06 01 15 A Hungry Crowd LLBJ by Max Lucado CKV

The story of Jesus feeding the five thousand is also found in Matthew 14:13–21, Mark 6:30–44, and Luke 9:10–17.

Reflection

Begin your study by sharing thoughts on this question.

1. Think of a time when God provided for your needs in an unusual or surprising way. How did that experience strengthen your faith?

Bible Reading

Read John 6:1–15

John 6:1–15 ESV

After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

Discovery

Explore the Bible reading by discussing these questions.

2. Why do you think the people went out to see Jesus without bringing along any food?

More excited to find out what He was doing and to see more miracles?

Weren’t worried about it?

Did not think about the time?

3. Why did Jesus ask Philip how they could feed the crowd?

He was testing him, for Jesus knew what He would do.

4. What can we learn from Philip’s response?

That we must be willing to use what we have as the Lord leads us. The money was not enough, and the time it would take would be too long - it was already getting late.

Leaders’ Note Question 4. XX In Philip’s mind, eight month’s wages was too much money to spend on lunch for a crowd of strangers. XX

Jesus wanted Philip to realize that it was humanly impossible for them to feed the crowd—they needed a miracle! Sometimes we must come to the same realization.

5. What do you think Jesus wanted his disciples to learn from this event?

a. God can supply all our needs

b. God is compassionate

c. Jesus is the same God that fed the Jews the Manna in the desert

i. testing the Jews with giving them Manna - Jesus tests the disciples and maybe the 5000

ii. “What is it”” - “What are they?”

6. Who are you most like in this story? Philip? Andrew? The boy? The people? Why?

Philip initially, but will trust the Lord and use what I have. I am willing to give what I have to the Lord.

Inspiration (From In the Eye of the Storm by Max Lucado)

Here is an uplifting thought from the Inspirational Study Bible.

Interestingly, the stress seen that day is not on Jesus’ face, but on the faces of the disciples. “Send the crowds away,” they demand. Fair request. “After all,” they are saying, “You’ve taught them. You’ve healed them. You’ve accommodated them. And now they’re getting hungry. If we don’t send them away, they’ll want you to feed them, too!”

I wish I could have seen the expression on the disciples’ faces when they heard the Master’s response.…

“You give them something to eat.” …

Rather than look to God, they looked in their wallets. “That would take eight months of a man’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

“Y-y-y-you’ve got to be kidding.”

“He can’t be serious.”

“It’s one of Jesus’ jokes.”

“Do you know how many people are out there?”

Eyes watermelon wide. Jaws dangling open. One ear hearing the din of the crowd, the other the command of God.

Don’t miss the contrasting views. When Jesus saw the people, he saw an opportunity to love and affirm value. When the disciples saw the people they saw thousands of problems.

Also, don’t miss the irony. In the midst of a bakery—in the presence of the Eternal Baker—they tell the “Bread of Life” that there is no bread.

How silly we must appear to God.

Here’s where Jesus should have given up. This is the point in the pressure-packed day where Jesus should have exploded. The sorrow, the life threats, the exuberance, the crowds, the interruptions, the demands, and now this. His own disciples can’t do what he asks them. In front of five thousand men, they let him down.

“Beam me up, Father,” should have been Jesus’ next words. But they weren’t. Instead he inquires, “How many loaves do you have?”

The disciples bring him a little boy’s lunch. A lunch pail becomes a banquet, and all are fed. No word of reprimand is given. No furrowed brow of anger is seen. No “I-told-you-so” speech is delivered. The same compassion Jesus extends to the crowd is extended to his friends.

(From In the Eye of the Storm by Max Lucado)

Response

Use these questions to share more deeply with each other.

7. What problems in your life seem to have no solutions?

Currently, our church plant is not able to care for the building - not sure what God would have us do. Stay or rent.

8. Do you find it difficult to trust God to meet your needs? Why?

Sometimes. His timing is always right, yet I can be impatient.

9. What does this story teach us about the way God provides for his people?

In the desert, God provided manna for Israel six days a week for a year. They had to go out and collect what they needed each day, but on the sixth, they were to collect enough for two days. God provided fully, but they had to collect it.

Jesus used what the boy and the disciples had, and they distributed it among the people. Jesus’ miracle was creating out of what was more than what was needed.

For me, this is a picture of our life in Jesus - He will call on us to do what we can, but He will multiply the effectiveness for His purposes. Jesus wants to work through us.

10. In what ways has God given you wisdom and strength to overcome difficulties in your life?

God has used friends, pastors, elders, His Word and prayer to help me. God has also been silent at time.

11. How does God want you to deal with your doubts?

a. Pray for faith.

b. Read His passages in the Bible that may address my situation.

c. See input from Godly people.

d. Continue doing what God has called me to do and look out for His guidance

12. How does the faith of other believers inspire us to trust God?

a. They may have had a similar experience and can give counsel,

b. They can help you stay focused on the Lord and not be disheartened.

For more Bible passages on God’s provision for his people, see Exodus 16:1–31 (Manna);

Psalm 20:7 ESV

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

What are some other things we trust in? money, the government, savings, etc.

Proverbs 3:5–10 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

What are we to do? Trust in the Lord. In all our ways, acknowledge God. Fear the Lord, turn from evil. Honor the Lord with our wealth.

What are we NOT to do? Do not lean on our own understanding. Do not be wise in our own eyes.

What does God promise us as we do the right things: He will make our paths straight (guide us) and heal us, refresh us, and provide for us.

Matthew 6:25–34 ESV

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

What is the main thrust of Jesus’ point? We are more valuable to God than birds and the grass. The Lord will provide our needs.

What should we be focused on? Seek first the kingdo of God and His righteousness.

To complete the book of John during this twelve-part study, read John 6:1–71.

QUESTIONS? CLOSE IN PRAYER and SONG

Journaling

Take a few moments to record your personal insights from this lesson.

Closing Thought: What keeps me from trusting God to meet my needs?

Prayer

Father, why do we doubt you? Time and time again, you have proved your faithfulness, yet our faith falters. Thank you for continually providing for our needs. Keep us from doubt. Fill us with faith in you. Remind us that you are bigger than all of our problems and needs. Remind us that when you call us to help someone to trust you and respond in obedience. Amen.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Jn 6:1–15). (2016). Crossway Bibles.