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STARTER
[Share a story with one other person]
Relate a time when you were so engrossed in something important you forgot to eat.
WORSHIP
READ PASSAGE ALOUD
(Personal reflection. Now reflect in quietness on the passage, commentary and the personal focus questions. You might like to make some notes on your responses to the questions to aid your reflection and later conversation)
COMMENTARY
John hints that Jesus performed many miracles (v.2, also chapter 20: v.30) but he only describes seven (these two and 2: 1-12; 4: 46-54; 5: 1-9; 9: 1-7; 11: 38-43). These he calls “signs”. They are meant not just to be taken at face value, but to point beyond themselves to a deep truth about who Jesus is and what he can do for those who believe in him - see 20: 31 for John’s honest admission that this is his purpose. The first of the two here is completely misunderstood by the crowd, the second, despite John’s down-playing it compared to the other gospels, makes an impact on the disciples.
PERSONAL FOCUS QUESTIONS
- What thoughts come to mind as you read this passage?
What might God be saying to you?
- Can you think of an experience (preferably recent, but not necessarily) when you recognised a definite sign of the Lord working in your life?
- When have you ever got so caught up in the physical needs of life that there was no time or energy for anything else?
- How does Jesus “feed us” today?
How can we allow him to do so more frequently?
When you have reflected alone, share together in threes.
LIFE FOCUS
- Does Jesus come alongside people in times of struggle today?
How?
What means can our church provide to facilitate this?
- What practical outcome is there from our reflection?
Do we need to make any plans to make things happen?
REVIEW TIME: Recall anything from previous weeks which needs attention.
PRAYER TIME (Focus on those who cannot see beyond the physical and material; for those who struggle and those who seek to help them.)
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