Leader Guide week of 3-9-08

Small Group Leaders Guide
March 9, 2008

Luke 9:10-17

Getting Started:

1. In Luke 9:10-17, how many people were fed?

• See Bible study tip blog post below.
• 5000 men plus any women and children who were present. I could easily see up to 20,000 people gathering for this occasion. See Matthew 14:21

Going Deeper:

2. Luke 9:10 says, “when the apostles returned.” Where did the apostles return from? Why do you think Jesus withdrew with them after their return?

• Luke 9:1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: "Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." 6 So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.
• With so many people coming to Jesus to be healed, fed and taught, He could easily have forgotten about His team of disciples. While the Lord had an eye on the masses, He also paid attention to the needs of His core group. In the book of Mark, there are five separate places where Mark writes that Jesus took His disciples aside to a quiet retreat so they could recharge their batteries and deepen their relationships.

3. Read Luke 9:17. Why do you think the disciples picked up the scraps after this feast? What do you think Jesus was teaching by this?

• I suppose the scraps could have been left for the birds and other wildlife to eat but there could be a stewardship issue here.
• Jesus not only provided all that was needed, but there was more than enough.

4. In verse 13, Jesus tells the disciples, “You give them something to eat.” Has God ever called you to do something you felt unable to do? Share what you learned through that experience.


5. Read Luke 9:16. What do you think the significance is of taking all five loaves and both fish? Couldn’t Jesus have fed the people with less?

• Giving all to Jesus probably is a component of the teaching. While it’s true that Jesus can perform miracles in some areas of our lives, He wants our entire life turned over to Him.
• It takes more faith to give Jesus everything than it does to give Him only a portion.

6. Do you think there are larger spiritual meanings in this story? What do you think Jesus wanted the disciples to understand from His feeding the crowds?

• John 6:32 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 "Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." 35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

7. When we give to Jesus, whether it is time, talent or treasure, there is a natural tendency and desire to withhold something for ourselves. How does this story reflect Jesus’ heart when it comes to our giving to Him?



Putting it into practice:
1) What do you sense God wants you to completely turn over to Him? Pray about that in your groups.


Quote Of The Week
Faith is the inborn capacity to see God behind everything, the wonder that keeps you an eternal child. Wonder is the very essence of life. Beware always of losing the wonder, and the first thing that stops wonder is religious conviction. Whenever you give a trite testimony the wonder is gone. The evidence of salvation is that the sense of wonder is developing.
--Oswald Chambers