John - Week 15

Hillside Chat 

READ 

John 6:3-4 

3 Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. 4 (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration.)  

Many of the teachings of Jesus took place on a hill top. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25) are two such examples. Now He teaches again from a hill. Mention of the Jewish Passover helps remind the reader that this feast would soon take place during which time the Passover Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ, would be crucified. 

REFLECT 

Do you have access to a Bible dictionary in which you could read about special feasts such as the Passover? If not, you might search on the Internet or try a public library if there is one in your area. 

RESPOND 

What do you think were some of Jesus’ thoughts as He neared the time of His death at the Passover? 

 Testing Philip 

READ 

John 6:5-6 

5 Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” 6 He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.  

Wherever He went, crowds were sure to follow Jesus. Even though He likely wanted to have a time for only His disciples a huge crowd came by. Jesus wove the needs of the people into His interaction with some of the disciples. Observe that Jesus sometimes tests people even though He knows what the outcome will be. Here He tested Philip in asking what his solution would be to the problem. Do not miss the fact that sometimes it seems impossible odds are being faced; yet the Lord Jesus knew how the situation would turn out.  

REFLECT 

Think back on your life. What situation did you think was impossible for you to know what to do? And how did it eventually turn out? 

RESPOND 

Do you believe Jesus can send tests to you to show you things about yourself and the need to trust Him more fully? Can you give an example? 

Five Loaves and Two Fish 

READ 

John 6:7-9 

7 Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!” 8 Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. 9 “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”  

Two disciples now entered the conversation. One thinks only of an impossibility and the other disciple did not offer much hope either. The only solution Philip could think of had an impossible outcome. Andrew mentioned the young boy with five loaves and two fish. He was quick to add, however, that those would not help much with the large crowd.  

REFLECT 

It is easy to put down Philip and Andrew for their suggestions, but had you been with the disciples that day, what would you have suggested? 

RESPOND 

Do you find it interesting that in a huge crowd, Andrew knew of this young boy and the exact number of loaves and fish he had? Talk with a friend about this passage of Scripture. 

Lunch for Thousands 

READ 

John 6:10-11 

10 “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.  

With the suggestions given, Jesus then took action. Think of this enormous group. If there were about 5,000 of only men, there would have been likely that many more if one counted the women and children. This miracle is recorded in all four gospel accounts. Notice that Jesus used the little that was available. Notice also that before giving out the food, He gave thanks. This is an example for Christ-followers today to give thanks before eating. Even with those who must have been extra hungry, they all ate as much as they wanted.  

REFLECT 

Have you learned, as the disciples did, that little is much if God is in it? Can you give an example? 

RESPOND 

Do you make it a practice to thank the Lord for a meal, even if you are in a public place? If not, why not? Ask another believer about this and pray for courage to do so. 

Leftovers 

READ 

John 6:12-13 

12 After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.  

The disciples had absolutely no solution for how so many people could be fed. But Jesus fed them until “everyone was full.” In addition to the people all being full there were many leftovers. Notice how many baskets of leftovers there were. No doubt the disciples who thought it was unreasonable to think so many people could be fed must have looked silly holding baskets of leftovers. This miracle occurred in spite of the unbelief of the disciples. 

REFLECT 

Have you sometimes felt foolish in a situation when God did far more than you could ask or think? Relate such an experience. 

RESPOND 

Read Ephesians 3:20 that applies to what is being learned. Are you continuing to work with a disciple to pass on the things you are learning? How many individuals are you in contact with? If none, what are you doing to change this?