The Bible Text (Luke 9:11-17)
11 But the multitudes were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing. 12 And the day began to decline, and the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place.” 13 But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people.” 14 (For there were about five thousand men.) And He said to His disciples, “Have them recline to eat in groups of about fifty each.” 15 And they did so, and had them all recline. 16 And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the multitude. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full. (Luke 9:11-17) NASB.
The context of the feeding of the multitude is important. Jesus is helping us all join in a common problem of life.
What do you do when there is not enough time?
How do you handle too many responsiblities?
How do you rightly care for both personal needs and ministries.
My wife recently took on the busy Children Ministry coordinator’s position. We needed to make a number of changes in our expectations toward each other. But with God’s leading, we have found that God can help us in special ways when facing hard times.
• What did the disciples do after they returned from their mission (10)? How did Jesus respond to this?
• What interrupted their leaders’ retreat (11)?
• How did Jesus respond to their interruption (11)?
• What do you think are some ways the disciples might have responded to Jesus’ response?
• What suggestion did the disciples make to Jesus in verse 12? Why do you think so?
• Might you make the same suggestion? Why or why not?
• What did Jesus tell them to do in verse 13?
• How did the disciples respond to that (13)? About how many people were there?
• How did Jesus go about feeding the multitude (14-16)?
• What did Jesus start as the basis of the miracle (13,16)? What was the end result (17)?
“And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full.” (Luke 9:17).
=> Faith and making priorities
We cannot live a fulfilled life by sight. We must live by faith. Jesus somehow knew the Father wanted to feed the people. He did not question the Father’s ability. He trusted Him even though it would have been easier to just send them all off for their own food. Jesus said, “My bread is to do my Father’s will.”
• Rest is important but sometimes we need to give it up for the sake of others. Agree or not?
• Fellowship is important but sometimes we need to give it up for the sake of others. Agree or not?
• Preservation of normality is good but sometimes we need to risk abnormality for the sake of others. Agree or not?
=> Faith and Training
The times that we grow in faith often come at odd times. Unless we slow down and make time, we often miss out because we are too busy. The evil one wants to distract us from our Father’s lessons of faith.
• What is it that the disciples were learning from all of this? How did they learn it?
• What has God taught you that could help you with training others?
• How will others learn from you?
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