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Matthew 14:13-36
Mark 6:30-44
Jesus feeding the five thousand is one of the events that's found in all 3 synoptic gospels as well as John. In the synoptics, Andrew is not identified. In Mark, Jesus asks the followers to go and look for bread, but that command is not listed in the other books. Thus, there are 4 different accounts of this event. Does it matter that we have more than one record of this event? Why?
Who do you think constitutes the five thousand? Are these followers? Seekers? Rivals? What might be some of the reasons they have come to hear from Jesus? What verses support this?
Assume you are Philip. You have seen Jesus do amazing acts. What would be your answer to the question, 'Philip, where can we buy bread to feed all these people?" Why do you think Philip answers the way he does?
Philip's answer is worldly (or at least financial.) 'It would take a small fortune to feed them.' (NLT) Could Jesus have followed the apostles advice and created a basket of money and 'sent the crowds away to neighboring towns.' Why or Why not?
According to John 6:8, what resources are found? Who found them? What does he do with them once discovered?
Jesus has everyone sit down. Would you sit? Why? What would you expect to happen? (Remember, this is a 'remote' place, it's getting dark, and you may not have food or water.)
In verse 14, we learn the crowds believe Jesus to be the 'prophet we have been expecting.' (NLT) What were the people expecting? What was the political climate of the time? Do we have expectations today? Is there a time line for these expectations?
In Matthew 14:22 we learn Jesus 'constrained' (NIV) or 'made' (NLT) the disciples enter the boat and go before him to the other side. Why would they resist? According to verse 15, what was the attitude of the crowds?
In Mathew 8 the disciples find themselves on a boat with Jesus asleep during a storm. Here in John, the disciples find themselves in a storm but Jesus does not appear to be with them; in fact he sent them away. What might they have said to one another about their situation? What would you have said?
When they see Jesus his response is 'I am here, don't be afraid.' Why should the proximity of Jesus reduce fear? What does Jesus' words mean to you personally?
What does the word miracle mean to you? How would you explain the above narratives to a young child? To a close friend? To a non-Christian? To a loved one in crisis?
