It Would Take A Miracle – Part 4

Open with prayer.

 

Get to Know You (10 Minutes)

When have you given up something that meant alot to you, either willingly or asked?

Observation & Discussion (30 Minutes)

Mark 6:30-44
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.
Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote
place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”
But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”
They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”
“How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”
When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”
Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.
Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish.
The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

1. As you read through this passage, what observations do you have about this miracle and what questions do you have?
2. This miracle is repeated in all four gospels. Read John 6:1-14 to get more context regarding this miracle. What information is given that we did not see in the passage from Mark?
3. The boy provided the loaves of bread and fish and Jesus gave thanks. How does adding this information change your perspective? What does this action tell us about the boy? What can we learn from the disciples and how they responded?
4. What took place before this passage? How would you expect the disciples to respond knowing the previous events?
5. Are you in the midst of a situation that is requiring you to trust God? How can your previous experiences help you face a current situation?

Next Step (10 Minutes)

Maybe this week you need to take a step forward to be a part of the miracle in serving or trusting. What is one thing you can do this week to participate in what God is doing in you or around you?

Prayer Requests (5 Minutes)

Pray with your group to close.

Challenge

Pick one person in your group to pray for this week. Ensure everyone has someone praying for them.