Jesus is the ultimate renewable resource

Mark 8: 1 - 21 [Click on the Article Title for MPEG of Message]

Describe in detail the best leftovers you have ever eaten out of a doggie bag from your favorite restaurant.

Compare and contrast the beginning of this story with the beginning of the story last week.

Why is it that Jesus is preemptively bringing this situation up to his disciples?

How is it that Jesus and his posse got themselves into this situation for a second time?

How in the world is it possible that the disciples are so dense as to not understand what to do this time?

What is similar and what is different between the miraculous action last week and this week?

What is the significance of seven basketfuls being the amount of leftovers?

Why does Jesus repeat a miracle of this magnitude so soon after the previous one?

How do we know that this is not just a mistaken repetition of the previously reported miracle?

Based on the immediate context of this passage, what seems to be the primary concerns of the disciples?

Why are the disciples having such a difficult time learning this particular lesson?

What are some spiritual lessons that took you longer to learn than you wish they did?

What is something that Jesus is repeatedly trying to teach you this year?

What can we do to become more open to what Jesus is trying to teach us so he doesn’t have to repeat himself as often?

How has God provided for your physical needs over this past year?

How can we learn to trust him more for our provision in the year to come?

Jesus provides renewable resources

Mark 6:35 -44

When is a time that you had to host a crowd for a meal that was far larger than what you were prepared for?

Why does Jesus keep this large crowd around until such a late hour in such a remote place?

Imagine you were one of the people in this crowd. As the hour draws late how are you feeling? What are you thinking about?

Compare and contrast Jesus’ plan for dealing with the situation with the one that his disciples had come up with.

Which plan makes more rational sense in dealing with the situation?

Why is Jesus insisting upon doing things in such an irrational sort of way?

Why did the disciples bring the sardines back as well when Jesus just asked for a bread inventory?

Imagine you are one of these disciples as you are preparing for feeding time. What is going through your mind as you usher the people into their seats?

Why does Jesus have people sit down in groups of 50 or 100? Why is that detail included in the story?

When do you think the disciples actually noticed a miracle was occurring? Did the crowd ever know this was miraculous?

Why does Jesus pray a pray of thanksgiving for the bread before distributing it?

What does it show us about Jesus that he is able to feed 15,000+ with so few resources?

Why is it significant that there were 12 basketfuls of leftovers?

Describe the relationship between Jesus and his disciples in this passage.

What is something that God is calling you to do tonight that is significantly beyond the scope of your resources?

What steps can you take to demonstrate that you are actually choosing to trust him?

What are some amazing ways that God has provided for you in your life?

What can you do to express thanksgiving to him this week?

Jesus provides renewable resources

Mark 6:35 -44

When is a time that you had to host a crowd for a meal that was far larger than what you were prepared for?

Why does Jesus keep this large crowd around until such a late hour in such a remote place?

Imagine you were one of the people in this crowd. As the hour draws late how are you feeling? What are you thinking about?

Compare and contrast Jesus’ plan for dealing with the situation with the one that his disciples had come up with.

Which plan makes more rational sense in dealing with the situation?

Why is Jesus insisting upon doing things in such an irrational sort of way?

Why did the disciples bring the sardines back as well when Jesus just asked for a bread inventory?

Imagine you are one of these disciples as you are preparing for feeding time. What is going through your mind as you usher the people into their seats?

Why does Jesus have people sit down in groups of 50 or 100? Why is that detail included in the story?

When do you think the disciples actually noticed a miracle was occurring? Did the crowd ever know this was miraculous?

Why does Jesus pray a pray of thanksgiving for the bread before distributing it?

What does it show us about Jesus that he is able to feed 15,000+ with so few resources?

Why is it significant that there were 12 basketfuls of leftovers?

Describe the relationship between Jesus and his disciples in this passage.

What is something that God is calling you to do tonight that is significantly beyond the scope of your resources?

What steps can you take to demonstrate that you are actually choosing to trust him?

What are some amazing ways that God has provided for you in your life?

What can you do to express thanksgiving to him this week?