Helping Others: Feeding 5000 People April 5

Think About It … What are some different ways people react when given an overwhelming responsibility? Today  We look at an overwhelming task given to the disciples by Jesus – helping others. They couldn’t do it, but Jesus shows them how to help people in overwhelming need.

Listen for interruptions Jesus and the disciples had to deal with. Luke 9:10-17 (NIV) When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, [11] but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God,

Listen for interruptions Jesus and the disciples had to deal with. and healed those who needed healing. [12] Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, "Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here."

Allow for Interruptions The disciples had returned from their mission trip. What happened when they got back? How did Jesus’ plans change? What prevented Jesus and His disciples from getting some rest and relaxation? What did the apostles want to do with the crowd?

Allow for Interruptions What are the issues a host must deal with when unexpected guests show up at mealtime? If you had been an apostle, how would you have reacted to the crowd’s overwhelming need? Why is it harder to be kind at certain times than at others?

Accept Responsibility Why do you think Jesus asked this question of Philip? What does this interchange between Jesus and Philip tell us about Philip? What did Andrew's response to the situation reveal about him?

Accept Responsibility What kinds of thoughts or response would you have had if you had been there and Jesus asked you, "How can we supply these people's needs?” Why do you think God tells us to do things that seem to be impossible?

Accept Responsibility What kinds of “impossible situations” do we face that overwhelm our meager resources? With what kinds of responsibilities are we confronted? What tells us that Jesus was in control of the feeding of these people? How do we know that Jesus is in control of meeting our needs?

Accept Responsibility Consider what we learn about Jesus’ rapport with people on several levels – Jesus is aware of people’s needs – He is concerned about their hungers – He was also interested in teaching a lesson to the disciples – He was concerned about the disciples’ need to learn of His sufficiency

Listen for how Jesus handled the logistics of feeding that many people? John 6:10-13 (NIV) Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. [11] Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

Listen for how Jesus handled the logistics of feeding that many people? [12] When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." [13] So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

Act to Meet the Need What specific things did Jesus do to organize for solving the problem? Jesus prayed a prayer of thanks before distributing the food – why is prayer important in meeting the needs of others?

Act to Meet the Need Consider various kinds of resources do we have seemingly insufficient of, in our class to meet needs of people in our class, our church, our community Insufficient Resources How Jesus Multiplies Finances Personnel Time Energy Health How can Jesus multiply these things?

Act to Meet the Need What small gifts have you seen multiplied when you gave them to Jesus?

Application Jesus saw the interruption of the needs of the people as an opportunity, not a nuisance. – Allow God's compassion to be at work through you for needs of others – Be assured that your limited resources (no matter how small) can be used by Jesus to touch people's lives for good

Application John 6:9 notes that a small boy donated his lunch so Jesus could feed the crowd – What do you have to give to Jesus that He could multiply? – What resources could you sacrifice for God to use? – You might not think it is much, but God can stretch it to meet many needs

Application Be aware of your tendency to focus on physical needs – Realize that Jesus will meet the physical needs – Realize also that he is more interested in spiritual needs – Both your needs and the needs of those around you

Helping Others: Feeding 5000 People April 5