Video EBlast for Sunday, August 5, 2018

The Real Truth Found Around the Sea of Galilee

Jesus Feeds Thousands

This week, while you meet with your Faith Formation Group you may want to reflect on our Scripture passage by reading Matthew 14:13-23 (printed below) and discuss the questions as a way to begin a conversation. 

The story of Jesus and his disciples feeding the five thousand is the only story found in all four gospels. It is also one of the most remembered stories of Jesus’ ministry. To begin your time today, read through the story as if you had never heard it and see if you can find something new.

    

Matt. 14:13    As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. ¹⁴ Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Matt. 14:15    That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”

Matt. 14:16    But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”

Matt. 14:17    “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.

Matt. 14:18    “Bring them here,” he said. ¹⁹ Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. ²⁰ They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. ²¹ About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!

Matt. 14:22    Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. ²³ After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.

Questions for Consideration:

1. What new thing stuck out to you when you read the story today? Is it something of importance?
2. This story is bookended by to passages talking about Jesus wanting to get away into solitude. What has just happened before in Matthew’s narrative that would call Jesus to want to get away? What is the significance of the what happens in the middle of the story because of the fact that Jesus is trying to get away to be alone?
3. When you read the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand who really feeds the people? What kind of relationship is happening between Jesus and his disciples?
4. Jesus blesses the food, but the disciples give the food out. Is this significant for the church today?
5. What can we take and apply from this story today in the early 21st century?

As you meet this week, we encourage you to also take time to open yourselves up as a group and dialog on the following Wesley Challenge question:  How do I spend my spare time? (Pages 79-83 in The Wesley Challenge)