The Servant King - Mark 6.35-44, 8.1-21

The One Thing

• Jesus meets our needs. Sometimes precisely. Sometimes plentifully. Always perfectly. 

Know

• Was there anything from Sunday’s sermon that you felt God specifically underlining to you?

Grow

• Why do you think Mark included two miracles that were so similar in His gospel account?
• Were you surprised to hear that the baskets in Alfresco 5000 (Mark 6) were lunchbox-sized, whereas the baskets in Alfresco 4000 (Mark 8) were laundry basket-sized (able to fit a man in them)? How does this information change how you view the separate accounts?
• Share about a time when you have experienced the God of the lunchbox – giving you exactly what you need with nothing left over?
• Share about a time when you experienced the God of the laundry basket – giving you an overabundance that blows your mind? (your response may be something physical, but may just as easily be something intangible or spiritual)
• In both passages (Mark 6:41 and Mark 8:6), we learn that Jesus simply ‘gives thanks’ for the food. Who do you think did the multiplication of the bread – God the Father or Jesus the Son? Do you think it’s important to distinguish the two or not? Explain your answer.
• After Jesus prayed, there is nothing in either account that says: “and suddenly there was a mountain of bread”. Using your imagination, how do you think the miracle took place – was there a visible pile of bread and fish or did the baskets just keep getting replenished as the food was handed out? (Or something else?)
• Mark 8:4 – the disciples had just witnessed Jesus feed a crowd of 10-15,000 people (5,000 men). What do we make of their confusion regarding how they were going to feed this new multitude?
• Read the questions Jesus asks His disciples in Mark 8:17. Imagine if Jesus was sitting across the table from you. Are there any parts of your life that He would say the similar things to you? Have a conversation with Him about these things.

Show

• Dan said that the main point of today’s passage was “Whenever we are in need may we always remember that Jesus will meet our needs – sometimes precisely; sometimes in plentifully, but always perfectly”. Take some time as a group to pray for things that you need to know God’s provision in.
• Think of a specific way that you can bring your meagre offerings to God and trust Him to multiply them for His glory. Perhaps it is the step of faith of starting to tithe your income. Perhaps it’s a step of faith to go beyond the tithe. Perhaps it’s using a skill or talent you have for His glory. Perhaps it’s inviting a friend to church or growgroup?