Jesus Feeds 5000 People

Reference

Mark 6:30-34

Introduction

This is the first time that Mark calls the 12 men ' apostles'.

The apostles were tired. And they wanted to tell Jesus about what they had done on their journey. So Jesus suggested that they should cross the lake in the boat. Then they would be quiet, and they could rest. But many people wanted to hear Jesus. And they arrived at the quiet place before Jesus and the disciples. Jesus thought that the people in the crowd were like sheep. Sheep who have no-one to lead them soon turn away from the right path. These people needed someone to teach them.

Jesus felt sorry for this crowd of people. Now he and his disciples could not have a rest. But he wanted to teach the people. And later, he did not want them to be hungry. So he fed them.

Questions to ask

(30) Where had the disciples been? What had they done? (See Mark 6: 7-13)

(33) Why was the crowd so big? Why did so many people know Jesus? Could this happen now?

(34) Why did Jesus not send the people away? What did the people really need?

(35) Why were the people out so late?

(36) What did the disciples want to do about the hungry crowd?

(37) What did Jesus want the disciples to do?

(41) What did Jesus do before he gave the food to the people? Why did he do that?

(43) How much food was there after everyone had eaten? Where did the food come from?

Something to do

You could share a meal together.

Remember to thank God before you eat a meal.

Think about hungry people. How can we help to feed them?