BETTER THAN FAST FOODS

JESUS THE SAVIOR

Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines

Lesson 6

BETTER THAN FAST FOODS

Aim: That the learners will trust Jesus to provide for their every need.

Scripture: John 6:1-15

Memory Verse: Philippians 4:19 – And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

In Advance

1.      Pray

2.      Memorize Philippians 4:19

3.      Prepare: Write questions for small group discussions on sheets of paper.

4.      Study John 6:1-15

Background of the Scripture passage used:

      According to Bible scholars this is the only miracle performed by Jesus Christ that is recorded in all four Gospels.  For this reason the writer only highlighted important features.  John records that Jesus Himself took the initiative in looking for the need of food whereas in the other Gospel accounts, the writers record that the disciples took initiative.

CLASS SESSION

ENTRANCE

      Excite the class by saying, “There is a modern way of satisfying one’s hunger in five minutes with hot steaming food.  This is called “fast food” which is usually prepared through modern technology (e.g. Microwave, a super fast cooking oven), and other advanced kitchen appliances.

      In Metro Manila and other cities, fast food houses are frequented by many people.  Hot food, sweet-sour delicacies, frozen  delights, sizzling food, are available in a matter of minutes.  Once these foods are eaten with a glass of cold soft drink, one gets a feeling of satisfaction.”

Transition Sentence: Our lesson today is about a different kind of satisfaction.

SUBSTANCE

            Let the class read the entire passage silently for about five minutes.

(Optional:  See similar account in Matthew 13:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17.)

            Divide the class into three small groups or by threes and assign the prepared questions to each group.

Group 1 – John 6:1-6

a)      Why did the crowd follow Jesus?

b)     What was the crowd’s need that Jesus saw?

Group 2 – John 6:5-9; 12-13

a)      Why did the discipled doubt Jesus’ power?

b)     How did Jesus consider their doubts?

Group 3 – John 6:5; 10-15

a)      What was Christ’s attitude toward the crowd?

b)     How did the people respond to the miracle?

Answers:

Group 1 – The crowd followed Jesus because they saw the signs (v.2c). The miraculous signs performed on the sick led men to seek Jesus.  The crowd’s need that Jesus saw (v.5) was their need for food. In feeding the crowd with five small loaves of bread and two fishes, Jesus used basic food items to provide for physical sustenance.  This reminds us of the Jewish wilderness journey where they wondered what they would eat.  Each day they were given manna from heaven (Exodus 16:14-15).

Group 2 – The disciples doubted that they could feed the crowd because it was so large – 5,000 men (women and children not included cf. Matthew 14:21).  Also, it was a remote place (v. 15). The disciples were present during the miracle at Cana (John 2:1-11), yet they seemed to have forgotten Christ’s power. Notice in verse 6 the words, He already had in mind what He was going to do reveal His all-powerful and all-knowing attributes.  He already knew what to do.  Jesus had the power to perceive things in advance.  Still, He tested them (v.8).  He impressed the miracle on them (vv. 12,13).

Group 3 – Jesus felt compassion for the crowd.  He recognized that their need for food was legitimate need (v.5).  He was also very patient with them.  He instructed them to sit down, and gave thanks to God before them.  He exercised organizational skills.

                        The people were impressed by the miracle.  Jesus had to withdraw to a mountain by Himself, knowing they intended to make Him king by force (vv. 14-15)

General Truth: We can trust God to supply all our needs.

SIGNIFICANCE

            Ask the class to enumerate what the needs of people are and what they do to meet them. Write the needs on the board.

Man’s Needs ·        Money ·        Security of physical life ·        Economic stability ·        employment ·        staying young and strong ·        assurance of eternal life		Ways Needs Are Met
		-                       they work for it, to the extent of overtime -                       investing and trusting on various life insurance system, arming themselves with weapons -                       deceptive transactions and exclusive, influential business associations -                       “whom you know and not what you know” -                       vitamins, cosmetics, aerobics -                       not sure

ASK: What do you think Jesus could do about those needs?

(Get all possible answers and lead them to trust in the Lord alone for contentment)

            Have sharing time where learners testify how God stretched their limited resources in the past (physical and emotional)

Say:    God had  our needs in the past, again and again. We are so like the disciples (Peter and Andrew). We don’t seem to learn our lesson fast enough. Jesus understands our needs and he sympathizes with us. He can stretch whatever limited resources we have.  He can even supply what we do not have.  In what way do you need to trust Him now as far as supplying your needs is concerned?

PERFORMANCE

            Learners find themselves a partner.  They exchange prayer requests on current needs and pray together.