You Give Them Something to Eat

Mark 6:30-44

Key Verse 6:37a

But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”

1. V. 30 calls the disciples, ‘apostles’ and it indicates that their mission journeys were quite successful. Who were the apostles? (Mark 3:16-19) What made them so successful? What can we learn from Jesus who helped them to work so powerfully for his redemptive purpose?

2. Consider what Jesus said to his disciples in v. 31. Why did he say that? What do Jesus’ words in v. 31b tell us about: 1) Jesus; and 2) the way for a man to find real rest? (Matthew 11:28-29)

3. Vs. 32-34 indicates that the way Jesus sees and helps men is quite different from the way we normally do. Had Jesus come today and seen the people of this nation, young ones in particular, how do you think Jesus would have diagnosed their problems? What would Jesus have done for them? What prayer topics or direction does this passage show us in serving the people of this generation? 

4. Vs. 35-37a describes disparity between the disciples' approach and Jesus' approach.  The disciples' suggestion seems reasonable, whereas Jesus' demand unreasonable. Why then do you think Jesus said to them, "You give them something to eat?" What repentance topics can we find in Jesus' rebuke? 

5.   Vs. 37b-38 show us another difference between the disciples' approach and Jesus' approach in meeting the challenge. How are they different? Why is Jesus approach better? 

6.   What do the following expressions in vs. 39-40 teach us in meeting Jesus' challenge to feed a hungry crowd? 1) Have them sit down; and 2) in groups.

7.   Consider the way Jesus came up with enough food for the crowd in vs. 41-44. What do the following teach us about the way to feed the crowd of people? 

1)  "Taking the five loaves and the two fish"; 

2)  "looking up to heaven he gave thanks; 

3)  "broke the loaves...and divided the two fish among them all"; 

4)  "he gave them to his disciples to set before the people";

5)  "they all ate and were satisfied"; and 

6)  "the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish." 

---