Do you realize that during your lifetime you will probably spend over thirty-five thousand hours eating? That's the equivalent of eight years of nonstop meals, twelve hours a day! The problem, of course, is that even after a big meal we get hungry again. At best, food only satisfies us for a few hours.
Yet in this chapter, Jesus offers us food that satisfies our hunger forever. You can't buy it in a grocery store. It is found only in Jesus himself.
Warming Up to God
How do you usually respond to an "impossible" situation—a problem in your life that doesn't seem to have a solution?Read John 6
Discovering the Word
- Read John 6:1-15. How would you characterize Philip's and Andrew's response to the problem of feeding this enormous crowd (vv. 5-9)?
- Imagine that you are one of the disciples, rowing the boat in dark, rough waters (vv. 16-21). How would your concept of Jesus have been altered by seeing him walk on water?
- The next day the people were hungry again, so they came seeking Jesus (vv. 22-25). How does he try to redirect their thinking (vv. 26-33)?
- Based on the remarks of some in the crowd (vv. 41-42), do you think they finally understood what Jesus was saying? Explain.
- When Jesus said, "This bread is my flesh," the crowd could think only of cannibalism (v. 52). What do you think it means to eat Jesus' flesh and drink his blood (vv. 53-59)? Is this something we do once for all time, or is it an ongoing process? Explain.
- In verses 60-71 Jesus turns away from the crowd and focuses on his disciples. How would you describe their responses to his "hard teaching"?
Applying the Word
- Which response in question 6 best describes your present attitude toward Jesus? Explain.
- Jesus has contrasted the two appetites found in every person—the appetite for food that perishes and the appetite for food that endures. In what ways has Jesus satisfied the spiritual hunger in your heart?
Responding in Prayer
Praise God for satisfying all your needs.Daniel/Revelation UBB
Daniel and Revelation are two of the most dramatic and mysterious books in the Bible, but also two of the most difficult to understand. They both use an apocalyptic literary form to convey their message of warning and encouragement to believers in crisis situations. This study guide from the Understanding the Books of the Bible series will enable your group to study these two books following their natural outlines, equipping you to understand and appreciate the writing and message of Daniel and Revelation.[Learn More]
