John 6:1-14

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Feeding of the 5,000

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The miracles of Christ were pre-designed.

  2. Christians have a responsibility to meet social needs.

  3. There should be a balance between generosity and economy.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Give what you have to the Lord.

  2. Do what you can for the Lord.

QUESTIONS

  1. In which of the gospels is the feeding of the 5,000 recorded?

  2. Was the number exactly 5,000?

  3. Where did this miracle take place?

  4. Why did John mention the Passover?

  5. Why did the Lord ask Philip where they should buy bread?

  6. How much was a denarius?

  7. Were the miracles of Christ pre-designed or done on the spur of the moment?

ANSWERS

  1. All four – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

  2. No, it was more, for that was only the men, and then there would be women and children as well.

  3. Somewhere near the northeast end of Galilee, what is known today as the Golan Heights.

  4. To explain why there were large crowds in the area

  5. Because Philip was from the nearby town of Bethsaida, and would know where supplies could be purchased.

  6. A working man’s daily wage, so the amount needed for the crowd would equal two-thirds of a year’s salary.

  7. They were pre-designed, and they were designed to teach.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. How are you meeting the social needs of your community? How are you meeting the spiritual needs of your community?

  2. Are you giving what you have to the Lord? Consider how the Lord multiplied what was given to Him by a little boy.

CHALLENGE

  1. Explain, “There should be a balance between generosity and economy.” How are you practicing this in your life?

KEY VERSES

  • “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish.” John 6:9

  • “When He had given thanks He distributed them.” John 6:11

  • “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” John 6:12



John, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsJohn 6:1-14