You Give Them Something to Eat

Mark 6:30-44

Key Verse 6:37a

1. Verse 30 calls the disciples ‘apostles,’ and it indicates that their mission journeys (see vs. 7-12) were successful.  Who were the apostles? (Mark 3:16-19)  What made them so successful?  What can we learn from Jesus who helped them work powerfully for His redemptive purpose?

2. Consider what Jesus said to His disciples in verse 31.  Why did He say this?  What do Jesus’ words in verse 31b tell us about: 1) Jesus, and 2) the way to find true rest? (Matthew 11:28-29)

3. Verses 32-34 indicate that the way Jesus sees and helps people is quite different from the way we normally do.  Had Jesus come today and seen the people of this nation – particularly the young ones – how do you think Jesus would have diagnosed their problems?  What would Jesus have done for them?  How does this passage help us pray in serving the youth of this generation?

4. Verses 35-37a describe the disparity between the disciples’ approach and Jesus’ approach to the problem: the disciples’ suggestion seems reasonable, whereas Jesus’ demand seems unreasonable.  Why do you think Jesus said, “You give them something to eat?”  What repentance topics can we find in Jesus’ rebuke?

5. Verses 37b-38 show us another difference between the Jesus’ and the disciples’ way of meeting the challenge.  How are they different?  Why is Jesus’ approach better? 

6. What do the expressions 1) Have them sit down, and 2) in groups in verses 39-40 teach us about meeting the challenge to feed a hungry crowd?

7. Consider the way Jesus came up with enough food for the crowd (41-44).  What do the following teach about how to feed them? 

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.”