STARTER
[Share a story with one other person]
Tell how it feels when you share a meal with friends.

WORSHIP

READ PASSAGE ALOUD

RE-READ PASSAGE AND COMMENTARY
(Personal reflection)

PERSONAL FOCUS
(Personal reflection on the passage / commentary & questions in silence 10 minutes)

COMMENTARY
John's gospel has no direct account of the institution of the Eucharist (a word meaning thanksgiving in Greek which is one of the words used to describe the service of Holy Communion). John includes a sermon on the bread of life which we have heard in recent weeks in the lectionary reading. The statement in the opening verse, "the bread that I give is my flesh for the life of the world" is very close to Luke's account of Jesus blessing bread at the Last Supper and saying "This is my body given for you" Participation in the Eucharist brings us eternal life now as well as a pledge for the future. (Baranowski).
"Now is eternal life, if risen with Christ we stand" ( H&P 203)
"a foretaste of the heavenly banquet prepared for all" (Methodist Worship Book)

PERSONAL FOCUS QUESTIONS

1. Which verse in this reading speaks to you?
    What is God saying to you?

2. How do you "feed" on Christ in your life?

3. What have you done with the "life" Christ offers?

4. Describe a time when you have been the "bread of life" for someone.

5. What dimensions of the Service of Holy Communion
    speak most meaningfully to you?

When you have reflected alone, share together in threes.

LIFE FOCUS

1. In what ways are we a community who offer "bread for the world"?

2. How do we show we have "life" in us?

3. The heavenly banquet is a metaphor emphasising the inclusion of all.
    Are all included in your church?

4. What practical outcome is there from our reflection?
    Do we need to make plans to make things happen?

GROUP MEMORY TIME
(reveiew the actions you agreed to carry out at previous meetings)

PRAYER TIME
Pray for God's blessing on those who will be leading worship and participating in it at your church this Sunday.
Pray that we may know how to live and work to God's praise and glory.

NEXT MEETING
Fix date and venue of next meeting.