Sermon Study Guide

Q1: Icebreaker: What is the greatest meal in your life? What made it so?

Q2: Jesus as Shepherd: Jesus sees the 5000 (or 15000-20000 including women and children) and they are like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and has compassion on them, teaches them, heals them, and then feeds them. Even David, a shepherd by trade, needed a shepherd (Psalm 23). In what way do you also need a shepherd?

Q3: Prayer & Blessings: What is your family tradition for saying prayers and blessings before meals? How did they come about? This is something quite unique to Jewish customs, and also has become integrated into Christian life. What value do you see in thanking God before meals?

Q4: Jesus as the Host: Jesus suddenly hosts a meal in the middle of nowhere, and is known for welcoming and eating with sinners and tax collectors. How do you feel knowing that you have a place at Jesus’ table, and that He welcomes you to be part of His table and His eternal life?

Q5: Physical & Spiritual Hunger: As the hands and feet of Jesus, we cannot serve others without thinking of both physical and spiritual needs. Do you usually choose one or the other? How can you grow in the other and not just give up on it? How would you redefine hospitality to include aspects more than just the physical needs?

Q6: Consumption v Participation: This miracle is unique in that the disciples get to participate in the miraculous feeding of the 5000. Jesus told them to give the people something to eat, and after the resurrection, He told Peter to “Feed my sheep.” How important is the participation and serving aspect of being a follower of Jesus, and not merely a consumer?

Q7: Jesus Last Supper: Jesus’ Last Supper instituted Communion and He also washed the disciples feet. If you had to arrange a “last supper,” who would be there, what would you do, where would it be?

Q8: Take-Home: What part of this sermon on the Feeding of the 5000 was most helpful? How will this help you in your walk with God?