On this Tenth Sunday after Pentecost we will follow Jesus across the lake after the feeding of the 5,000. The people follow Jesus as well, and wonder how he slipped away from them, and when he arrived where they found him. Their questioning of him leads to his teaching of feeding on the true bread, "the bread from heaven." We will discuss and reflect on our search for God, our search for relationship with Christ, and our search for the things that truly give us the nourishment God wants us to have forever.
Our Scripture passage is found in the Gospel according to Mark. You may find the Scripture lesson by selecting the following link: (John 6:24-35).
For continuing study, reflect on these questions (found in the study guide below):
Read the assigned Scripture lesson - were there any words or phrases that stood out for you during your reading and reflecting? As you heard the crowd’s questions to Jesus, what do their questions reveal about their understanding of Jesus’ mission and ministry, or lack of understanding?
After reading the “WHAT…” paragraph in the guide below, reflect on the statement, “the way that one may perform the works of God is to believe in Jesus”: what does this statement mean to a follower of Jesus?
After reading the “WHERE…” paragraph below, reflect on the image of the crowd asking Jesus for a sign of God’s presence, yet as they are in the presence of Jesus, they are surrounded by signs of God, apparently without any awareness. Consider in your own life: what signs surround us that we often miss or dismiss?
After reading the “SO WHAT…” paragraph below, reflect and answer the question: what is the relationship between faith and a transformed life in Christ?
After reading the “NOW WHAT…” paragraph below, consider the following: what is the difference between faith as belief in a set of propositions and faith as an encounter with a person, Jesus Christ?
