GROUP GUIDE
Leading a group through these questions? Here’s a simple guide for 1.5-2 hour GROUP meeting.
Welcome and Opening Prayer. (5 minutes)
Read the passage aloud. (5 minutes)
Guide the group through the questions. (30-60 minutes)
Take time to share prayer requests and pray for each other. (15-30 minutes)
TEACHING RECAP
Summary: Two of Jesus’ most well-known miracles probe into the deeper questions of our lives. How do we get real food, the kind that satisfies not just our stomachs, but our souls? And how do we get lasting satisfaction, the kind that doesn’t disappear by the next morning?
Main Points:
We are hungry, physically and spiritually, but our efforts to satisfy ourselves don’t last.
Jesus’ miracles reveal his identity and demonstrate his ability to truly satisfy.
Simple, uncluttered surrender to Jesus is the only path to long-term satisfaction.
On-Ramps:
Surrender yourself to Jesus, and begin the journey of apprenticing with him in your daily life.
Regularly ask Jesus if there are parts of your life that you haven’t surrendered. Confess these to him and to a Christian friend.
Each day, “take Jesus in” through scripture and prayer. Ask him specifically to encourage you, teach you, convict you, and give you strength for the journey.
Suggestion: Read through John 6 a few times this week. Reflect on the miracles and the “hard words” of Jesus.
Discussion
What stands out to you from this passage? How does this passage most challenge or encourage you?
Have a look at the Passover story in Exodus 12, specifically verses 1-14. This story reveals God’s rescue and provision for the people of Israel. How do Jesus’ two miracles in today’s passage reveal the same? How do Jesus’ miracles reveal even greater provision than what God offered in the Passover story?
What type of a response does Jesus expect from his disciples in each of these two stories (Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus’ walking on the water)?
In your circle of people, where have you recently been seeing people seek satisfaction apart from Jesus? What appear to be some of the results of that pursuit?
Where has Jesus recently provided in your life and what does that say to you about who he is?
How ‘satisfied’ are you? What are the things in your life that provide you the most satisfaction? Where do you long to experience greater satisfaction and joy in your life?
How do you want to respond to this passage in your daily life?
Bonus question: Pastor Jeremy got quite controversial in his message, stating that Jim Carrey is no longer funny. How does this make you feel? Do you agree or disagree?
PRAYER
How can we pray for you as a group?
Next week: JOHN 6:25-71
