Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 7pm
Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
arod4God@neo.rr.com FACEBOOK: Roderick Grabski
CLASS SEVEN: The 4th Sign: Feeding 5000 / 5th Sign: Walk on Water
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS and PRAYER CONCERNS
II. Read / Listen to John 6:1-29
a. What are your initial impressions or questions?
Notable translation differences?
III. The 4th Sign: Feeding the 5000 (vv. 1-15)
a. (vv. 1-2) “After this” refers to the events of Chapter 5, where as much as 6 months may have passed. In between chapters 5 and 6 the other Gospels record much of Jesus’ activity, such as The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), and the parables of the Kingdom (Matthew 13), as well as events recorded in Luke 6:1 - 9:10 and Mark 3:1 – 6:30. This explains why such a large crowd was now following Jesus.
b. The timeframe of chapter 6 is about a year before Jesus’ crucifixion.
c. (vs. 3) Mountain may be a reference to hill country east of the lake, known today as Golan Heights. Why do you think Jesus takes His disciples here?
d. (vs. 4) This is another reference to a Jewish festival in John’s Gospel, and the second of three Passovers mentioned. (See also 5:1; 7:2; 10:22; 11:55; and 12:1)
e. (vv. 5-7) Apparently the crowd walked for quite a ways to see Jesus. All four gospels record this miracle. (Matt. 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17)
f. Did Philip pass the test? Why or why not?
g. (vv. 8-9) Did Andrew pass the test? Why or why not?
h. Both men should have been familiar with Old Testament accounts of God miraculously providing food: Exodus 16; 1st Kings 17:9-16; and 2nd Kings 4:1-7.
i. (vv. 10-13) What stands out to you about this miracle?
j. (vv. 14-15) Why do you think the people responded this way?
IV. The 5th Sign: Walking on Water (vv. 16-21)
a. See also Matthew 14:22-36 and Mark 6:45-56
b. Comparing all three Gospel accounts, what four miracles occurred during this event?
c. Why do you suppose John and Mark do not mention Peter?
d. Remember that John includes statements where Jesus refers to himself as “I am” (6:20; 8:24, 28, 58; 18:5), a clear allusion to God’s identification as “I am” in Exodus 3:14.
V. Looking for Jesus in All the Wrong Places (vv. 22-29)
a. Why are they looking for Jesus? Why did they go to Capernaum?
b. (vv. 25-26) How does Jesus answer their question?
c. (vv. 27-29) Prelude to “I Am the Bread of Life.” What does Jesus tell them is important work?
VI. Application
a. God can work miracles from ordinary circumstances and resources. We just need to have faith. (Hebrews 11:1)
b. A sure sign of our salvation is that we believe in the One God has sent. (Romans 10:9-11)
Final Comments, Questions. Close in Prayer
Next Week: The Bread of Life - Read John 6:30-71 to prepare.
