While six of Jesus’ miracles that John calls “signs” are only in John, this one is in all four gospels. And what a sign it is! Jesus Himself explains the meaning behind the feeding of the 5,000 families later in the chapter when He says “I AM the bread of life.” Bread represents the sustenance of life, and breaking bread together represents fellowship — Jesus came to give us life to the full and fellowship with God. Keller takes us deeper into other Scriptures to demonstrate the truth of this, a truth I pray will enrich our souls, make us thankful, and encourage us in the simple practice of hospitality.
Photo by Kate Remmer
63 comments
1. Share an example of how a recent practice of hospitality (yours or another’s) was used by God to enrich your life or a relationship. At church I usually sit near the same couple. Over the last few months we’ve shared more about ourselves. (They are at least 20 years younger than me)Today she told me she thought about me this past week and wanted us to share phone numbers so we can text as needed. Not a breaking of bread together, but a gesture of sharing more with each other.
2. What stood out to you from the above and why? The communion bread. We go to a station to get communion and sometimes “I” think it’s not very organized or instructive to make the movement go smoother. Today I just looked at the faces of people returning to their pews and to quote the song mentioned here a few weeks ago “I saw glory on each face.” Thanks ladies for your inspiration.
Judy, so happy for you to connect with the young couple in your church. I consider their gesture an act of hospitality. And I love how a change in perspective gave you a special experience during communion.
Judy — I LOVE your communion story.
Judy, thank you for sharing the sweet story of the church friend wanting to share phone numbers. The beginning of a precious friendship. And I love that you saw glory on each face at communion.
Sunday:
1. Share an example of how a recent practice of hospitality (yours or another’s) was used by God to enrich your life or a relationship.
Ooohhh…I can think of a few, but I want to mention here my friend Barbara’s way of hospitality. She is a spunky 87-year-old sister in Christ who has experienced the hard knocks of life but is a very faithful follower of Christ. Because of her living situation (long story), she invited me to spend half a day with her outside of her home. She told me it was a surprise and wanted me to see this place that she had been to. So, one afternoon, she and I drove to a nearby town and had lunch at a Chinese restaurant where we had some of my favorite food. Then she took me for a drive to another town in Nebraska where I had never been before. We laughed and sang on our way and before too long, we came to this out-of-nowhere street, and voila! I saw the entrance to a cancer memorial garden leading to a small winding path and then onto one of the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen! I gasped with excitement and could hardly wait to get out of the car! I don’t know who was more excited; she while watching me go from one grouping of exquisite flowers to another (The flowers were arranged by the color of the symbols for each type of cancer). Or myself, wowed by the kaleidoscope of colors before my very eyes. We spent a good 45 minutes there or longer.
As we sat down on one of the benches and talked about the labor of love of this community started by a visitor from another state, I looked at my friend with much appreciation for her friendship, love, and unique way of hospitality. On our way home, she treated me (again!) to a Sonic slushie and my favorite onion rings! God has surely enriched my life through Barbara.
2. What stood out to you from the above and why?
Your encouragement to practice hospitality. I just finished watching the replay of the live stream of The Chosen. Dallas Jenkins closed with this again: “All Jesus asked of us is to give our 5 loaves and 2 fishes”. I thought it was very fitting for those of us who might think that we are not able to offer hospitality. I do not have to wait for all things to be perfect to open my home and my life to others. I have “five loaves and 2 fishes”.
Wow, Bing! I love your amazing garden adventure with your friend~ what a great way to spend the day! The garden sounds fabulous.
I love 5 loaves and 2 fishes ~ it is all we need to share.
Bing you have me wondering where that cancer memorial garden is. We occasionally get down into southeast Nebraska and visiting flower gardens is a favorite thing of ours to do. This past weekend we visited the Sunken Gardens in Lincoln, Nebraska which was a beautiful time to see them.
You would love this place in Humboldt, Nebraska. Here is the link to it: https://visitnebraska.com/humboldt/southeast-nebraska-cancer-memorial-garden
My husband and I live in Rock Port, MO which is about a 50-minute to an hour jaunt by car. It is beautiful!
1. Share an example of how a recent practice of hospitality (yours or another’s) was used by God to enrich your life or a relationship.
This is awkward because I don’t like to “toot my own horn,” but I went to help my friend who is struggling with a sad life situation with her 66 year old husband. She lives far away and it took a large chunk of time to get there and back (2 days!). Needless to say, when you travel that long then you want to stay for awhile. I ended up staying 4 days and helped her around her house; cleaning the garage, moving pavers, cooking food (she has loss a lot of weight due to the situation. I hope I enriched her life. I think I did 😉♥️.
2. What stood out to you from the above and why?
Can’t wait to hear Keller on this familiar story.
Oh Laura — glad you told that story. I am praying for a “Laura” to help me with my overwhelming garage. How you must have blessed her.
Oh, Laura! What a blessing you are! Thank you for sharing this! I am so blessed when my girls come to help me with my husband! They teach him new card games and help me with chores. You blessed this friend beyond measure! God bless you dear friend!
Laura, You have a generous servant’s heart! It is a joy to hear how you served your friend.
Oh, Laura! What a wonderful gesture of friendship and hospitality. I am sure your friend was refreshed by your visit and help!
Monday: The Texts
3. Read John 6:1-15
A. What stands out to you on first reading and why?
There were so many things that stood out to me…
1. People were following Him because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased.
2. The Passover was near.
3. Seeing the multitude of people, He wanted to feed them.
4. Tested Philip.
5. Andrew noticing a boy with two fish and 5 barley loaves and knowing that humanly that couldn’t feed all the people.
6. 5,000 men, no mention of how many women and children.
7. From the boy’s food all ate and were full after eating all they wanted.
8. Jesus instructed that the leftovers be gathered and there were 12 baskets…12 disciples?…hmm. Jesus would of known the exact amount of people so why was there leftovers?
B. Describe the scene and the interchange between Jesus and Philip. What test was He giving Philip?
When Jesus saw the great multitude He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?”
Philip was there when Jesus performed the other signs and I think Jesus was testing him to see if he would trust Him to provide the food for all the people…Jesus already knew what He was going to do
C. Note the reaction of the crowd in 14-15. What are they missing? (Look ahead to verse 26 for help)
When they saw the sign that Jesus did they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
They missed Jesus, the Messiah, the One who provided the loaves. They were seeking Him, not because of the signs, but because they ate of the loaves and were filled.
Great summary, Sharon!!!
1. Share an example of how a recent practice of hospitality (yours or another’s) was used by God to enrich your life or a relationship.
My friend’s daughter is going to college in Rhode Island, near where our daughter lives. Our daughter and her husband, took them out to dinner, had them to their home and gave Anika a welcome basket full of goodies. Anika will be far from home, but now she will have a contact if she would ever be in need or have an emergency. Anika’s parents are a bit nervous having her so far away, but now they will have some comfort knowing she has one extra connection. Darcy also invited her to their family Labor Day clam bake. So thankful for their kindness to our friends.
2. What stood out to you from the above and why?
Jesus is our sustenance of life; the way to our fellowship with God the Father. Looking forward to getting deeper through Keller’s teaching.
What joy it is to see our children walking in the truth!
Sunday:
1. Share an example of how a recent practice of hospitality (yours or another’s) was used by God to enrich your life or a relationship.
—Hospitality has always been a way of life for my husband and me. We both had mothers who opened their homes for meals and for overnight guests. So I would say it has always come fairly natural to us. We have definitely simplified it in our recent years so it is easier to do. We have found opening our home to new people in particular has been a great way to get better acquainted with them. Last week we had a couple who has moved to our community to be close to a daughter and her family over for a simple meal. They have started attending our church and we were greatly blessed by getting to know them now as fellow believers. They will be joining our Wednesday night small group which will broaden their circle of friends in our church and bless our group as well.
2. What stood out to you from the above and why?
—The beautiful picture of a crusty whole grain loaf of bread reminded me of a wonderful bread we had with our dinner at a nice restaurant the other night celebrating our anniversary with old friends. It was a very satisfying part of our meal. Which so clearly demonstrates the comparison of Jesus as the Bread of life. How He satisfies and nourishes our souls.
Bev — I remember reading a book that had researched Christian families to see if there were any common variables for the kids turning out well. I think it was called “What They Did Right.” They found only one variable. Hospitality.
I love your gift of hospitality, Bev. It truly is such a wonderful way to show the love of Christ.
Monday: The Texts
3. Read John 6:1-15
A. What stands out to you on first reading and why?
—The thought of more than 5,000 people together in close proximity and what it would be like to look out over a crowd that large sitting around on the hillsides. Their needs would be so very many.
B. Describe the scene and the interchange between Jesus and Philip. What test was He giving Philip?
—In light of the great number of people coming toward them He asked Phillip a question that was impossible to answer. The logistics of their situation could not even begin to provide enough food for the large crowd. He was definitely testing Phillip’s faith.
C. Note the reaction of the crowd in 14-15. What are they missing? (Look ahead to verse 26 for help)
—They we’re looking at the miraculous things Jesus could do and were seeing him as a great prophet who had power and could supply their needs so they wanted to set him up as their king and leader. They are missing the truth of Who Jesus is approved by God to bring them life eternal.
4. Read John 6:25-35
A. How does Jesus reprimand the people and endeavor to enlighten them? Find everything you can.
—He tells them not to concern themselves with perishable things like food but to seek the eternal life that He can give them.
He informed them God didn’t want their works but rather that they would believe in Him as sent by God. They even misunderstood that the manna provided for their ancestors was not from Moses but actually from God. He was clearly telling them that He was the bread of life and the water for their thirst. But some even though they could see him and what he had done still didn’t believe or put their trust in him.
B. How might you apply this to your life right now.
—I need this reminder as I work at practicing discipline in my eating to be reminded of the perishable nature of food and its inability to satisfy my heart’s need. But being in relationship with Jesus and trusting in Him for all my heart’s needs he truly does satisfy.
5. In the following texts, what do you learn that might help you to understand how “bread” might give us insight on your fellowship with God. (This is challenging before you hear from Keller, but give it your best shot!)
A. Exodus 16:19
—Obedience?
B. Exodus 16:31
—manna means “What is it?” But it was something good from God.
C. Exodus 25:30 (Why called the bread of the presence?)
—It represented the presence of God there to provide all their needs?
D. Leviticus 24: 5-6
—I don’t even have a guess on this one without research. It would appear to be some kind of offering to the Lord (place it before the Lord) and I’m sure the numbers have significance in representing something possibly like the 12 tribes of Israel.
E. Luke 24:30-31
—As Jesus sat down to fellowship with them at a meal and he broke bread for them they recognized Him. When we sit down with Him by reading and studying his Word He feeds our souls and opens our eyes to spiritual truth about Himself and we can know Him better and have sweet fellowship with Him.
Monday: The Texts
3. Read John 6:1-15
A. What stands out to you on first reading and why?
and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick…
After the people saw the sign Jesus performed… Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
It is so easy to look at the gifts rather than the Giver. Yet, even with the most selfish motives, Jesus can use every circumstance to draw people to Himself. And this was as much of a lesson for the disciples as it was with the crowd. Philip was concerned about the magnitude of the number of people, but Andrew brought what he found (5 loaves and 2 small fishes) to Jesus.
B. Describe the scene and the interchange between Jesus and Philip. What test was He giving Philip?
Jesus asked Philip where they would buy food for the crowd and Philip looked at the impossibility of the task,” “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Jesus already knew what He was going to do.
Lesson I learned: Often Jesus presents to me an impossible situation because He wants me to acknowledge that only through Him can things be made possible.
C. Note the reaction of the crowd in 14-15. What are they missing? (Look ahead to verse 26 for help)
The crowd was more interested in what Jesus could give them rather than seeing the sign pointing to Him as the Living Bread.
Read John 6:25-35
A. How does Jesus reprimand the people and endeavor to enlighten them? Find everything you can.
Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him, God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
“Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
B. How might you apply this to your life right now.
I must ask myself daily, where do I look to fill my hunger and thirst? Is it to things of this world or to Jesus? Is it my job, my ministry, my relationships or is it Jesus?
5. In the following texts, what do you learn that might help you to understand how “bread” might give us insight into your fellowship with God. (This is challenging before you hear from Keller, but give it your best shot!)
A. Exodus 16:19 No one is to keep any of the manna until morning
B. Exodus 16:31 Manna wafers made of honey
C. Exodus 25:30 (Why called the bread of the presence?) Put the bread of the presence on the table to be before me at all times.
D. Leviticus 24: 5-6 finest four and bake 12 loaves of bread and put on the table of pure gold before the Lord.
E. Luke 24:30-31 Jesus and the 2 men breaking bread and their eyes were opened and recognized Jesus.
Jesus is the finest companion at the fellowship table. His presence should permeate our conversations and when we fellowship with Him, we also fellowship with God. His company will satisfy us with the finest of things. Only in Jesus would we be satisfied; anything in this world will spoil or fade.
Love this from Bing — so miss this when it is absent at a table
Jesus is the finest companion at the fellowship table. His presence should permeate our conversations and when we fellowship with Him, we also fellowship with God. His company will satisfy us with the finest of things. Only in Jesus would we be satisfied; anything in this world will spoil or fade.
Bing, This comment by you stood out to me. “Lesson I learned: Often Jesus presents to me an impossible situation because He wants me to acknowledge that only through Him can things be made possible.”
Amen to Dee and Bev’s comments, Bing. I especially love “His presence should permeate our conversations and when we fellowship with Him, we also fellowship with God.” He is the God of the impossible made possible.
Read John 6:1-15
A. What stands out to you on first reading and why?they gathered them and picked up 12 baskets with the pieces of the 5 barley loaves. Such abundance. Sometimes I forget the abundance of all He gives us. I neglect to focus on the answer He s given and the extra He gives 2 friends and I have been praying for a prodigal son, Her son has started going back to church and has invited his boss to go with him,, So at first I missed God gave the extra person attending
B. Describe the scene and the interchange between Jesus and Philip. What test was He giving Philip? To believe that Jesus could provide. Philip had already seen miracles.
C. Note the reaction of the crowd in 14-15. What are they missing? (Look ahead to verse 26 for help) they were missing their greater need of salvation,which Jesus could provide for them.
4. Read John 6:25-35
A. How does Jesus reprimand the people and endeavor to enlighten them? Find everything you can. They weren’t looking for Jesus for signs and wonders but for meeting their hunger for food. Don’t work for food that spoils but food that endures to eternal life which Jesus gives. It was not Moses who gave you bread from heaven, but my Father who gives true bread from heaven. That bread gives life to the world. I am the bread of life. Come to me and never go hungry
So good to be reminded of looking for the abundance, Judy.
Monday: The Texts – Continued
4. Read John 6:25-35
A. How does Jesus reprimand the people and endeavor to enlighten them? Find everything you can.
He tells them that the only reason they want to be with Him is because He fed them, not because they understood the miraculous signs. He tells them stop being concerned over material things and seek eternal/spiritual things that the Son of Man can give them as He was given the seal of approval by God. The only works God wants from them is to believe in the One He has sent. They ask for more miraculous signs so they can believe in Him because Moses gave their ancestors in the wilderness bread from heaven to eat. Jesus tells them that Moses didn’t give them bread but rather His Father did and now He offers you the true bread from heaven. “The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” Jesus tells them that He is the bread of life and whoever comes to Me will never hunger again and whoever believes in Me will never thirst. They haven’t believed in Him even though they’ve seen Him.
B. How might you apply this to your life right now.
Keep my focus on Jesus and trust in Him to meet my needs. It reminds of the words to a song “To turn my eyes upon Jesus so the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
5. In the following texts, what do you learn that might help you to understand how “bread” might give us insight on your fellowship with God. (This is challenging before you hear from Keller, but give it your best shot!)
A. Exodus 16:19
Just as the Israelites were to eat the manna God provided each morning and not save any for the next day, we need to trust that God will meet our daily needs.
B. Exodus 16:31
The manna tasted like honey wafers. This verse reminds me of Psalm 19 where it talks about what God’s laws and commandments are like and then in verse 10 it says, “They are…sweeter than honey…” Fellowship with God, desiring to be in His Word and being obedient is sweeter than honey…tastes like “honey wafers.”
C. Exodus 25:30 (Why called the bread of the presence?)
It was to be eaten in the presence of God which symbolized fellowship/communion with God.
D. Leviticus 24: 5-6
These verses explain how the bread of presence was to be made, where it was to go and how it was to be arranged…we serve a God of order not confusion and He always knows best.
E. Luke 24:30-31
When they sat down to eat, He blessed the bread, broke it and gave it to them…suddenly their eyes were opened and they recognized Him. Fellowship with God keeps our eyes and heart opened to God’s will in our lives, staying pure and obeying His Word.
When reading these verses many of the Psalms came to my mind and showed me why David was a man after God’s own heart…being In fellowship with God was very important to David.
From Sharon:
When reading these verses many of the Psalms came to my mind and showed me why David was a man after God’s own heart…being In fellowship with God was very important to David.
I wrote my answers before reading your responses and I love your wisdom and insights, Sharon! This was so helpful to me.
3. Read John 6:1-15
A. What stands out to you on first reading and why?
The word “force” is interesting. Other translations also use this word.
“When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.”
John 6:15 NLT
B. Describe the scene and the interchange between Jesus and Philip. What test was He giving Philip?
Jesus tests Philip by asking him how they will feed all the people. Philip says it would take a ton of money to feed all the people. Jesus knows what He will do, but wants Philip to trust Him.
C. Note the reaction of the crowd in 14-15. What are they missing? (Look ahead to verse 26 for help)
They are amazed by the miracle. They believe He is the prophet they have always longed for.
They are all about the miracle, not the believing that Jesus was the Way.
4. Read John 6:25-35
A. How does Jesus reprimand the people and endeavor to enlighten them? Find everything you can.
He fed them, and said they only wanted Him for the food. He told them to not worry about food. He said to spend their energy seeking eternal life. He says to only believe in Him. He said that Moses didn’t give their ancestors manna, God did.
B. How might you apply this to your life right now.
Focus on Jesus. Don’t worry about food.
5. In the following texts, what do you learn that might help you to understand how “bread” might give us insight on your fellowship with God. (This is challenging before you hear from Keller, but give it your best shot!)
A. Exodus 16:19
Manna spoils but the Word lives forever.
Tuesday: The Food that Spoils
Listen up to when Keller moves into “I AM the Bread of Life”
6. What stands out to you and why?
—Keller says that Jesus as the perfect man is surprising and he is compelling. He notes that if a person is willing to read page after page about Jesus’s life and the things he did and said it becomes compelling. It will surprise and compel you.
This stands out to me because that is exactly how my close friend Lynda who at 33 years old and was a professed atheist became a believer and Christ follower. She started reading the Bible to disprove it to a Bible study group and she was compelled by what she read to acknowledge Who Jesus was.
Oh, I love your story about Lynda! I love how the Word of God changed her heart, because she was willing to read it (even if it was for the wrong reason)!
I tried to make a correction on one of my answers for Monday …and a note came up saying all my answers were considered spam and they are gone. Oh, dear. Thankful for Sharon’s post, because it is so excellent!!
So frustrating — sorry Patti!
No worries. Reading all the other’s responses made my day 🙂
Listen up to when Keller moves into “I AM the Bread of Life”
6. What stands out to you and why?
The feeding of the 5000 is not what the crowd followed Jesus to receive. Jesus chose the miracles He did for more than face value; the “Signs” had a symbolic meaning, as well.
The statement I AM the Bread of Life demonstrates that Jesus is the most essential part of my life. All of my being depends on Him. He supplies my daily needs, physically and more importantly, Spiritually. Communication with Him is the most essential part of my daily well being in all way
3. Read John 6:1-15
A. What stands out to you on first reading and why? The crowd followed Jesus, because He had been doing miracles of healing. The miracle of sharing the loaves and fishes was not what they expected.
B. Describe the scene and the interchange between Jesus and Philip. What test was He giving Philip? Jesus knew what He was planning, and was testing Philip with this question. Perhaps, because this was the miracle He planned. He was setting the stage for His own testimony that He is the bread.
C. Note the reaction of the crowd in 14-15. What are they missing? (Look ahead to verse 26 for help) They are seeing the miracle as one like Moses feeding the Israelites. They are still seeing Jesus as a Prophet.
4. Read John 6:25-35
A. How does Jesus reprimand the people and endeavor to enlighten them? Find everything you can. John 6:26~ They are seeking Jesus because He fed them, but they did not understand that He is the Bread of life, sent from Heaven to feed them spiritually.
B. How might you apply this to your life right now. God is my sustenance in supplying my food, nutritionally ~ yet more important is that He supplies my Spiritual sustenance through community with Him; Studying His Word; time in prayer spent with Him; living my life in a manner that I am drawing others to Him.
5.B. Exodus 16:31
The Israelites didn’t know what the man’s was (hence the name manna, which means what is it?), so they just had to trust that God would provide something so they wouldn’t die. We also must trust God when situations seem hopeless.
C. Exodus 25:30 (Why called the bread of the presence?)
The bread was in the presence if the Lord. We are always to be in His presence.
D. Leviticus 24: 5-6
This could represent the 12 tribes of Israel or the 12 disciples I suppose? They are the history we should yearn to understand, so we get closer to God.
E. Luke 24:30-31
The bread represented the truth. When we study the scripture we are exposed to the truth.
Tuesday: The Food that Spoils
Listen up to when Keller moves into “I AM the Bread of Life”
6. What stands out to you and why?
Why did Jesus do the miracle of the loaves? Keller says, “Well, I fed people physically, but it was a symbol of the fact that I am the bread of life.”
He does meet our needs physically but oh, the real joy comes when we realize that our need for Him, His presence, His fellowship and His love fills us to the brim and is everlasting!
Love this from Sharon:
“Well, I fed people physically, but it was a symbol of the fact that I am the bread of life.”He does meet our needs physically but oh, the real joy comes when we realize that our need for Him, His presence, His fellowship and His love fills us to the brim and is everlasting!
6. What stands out to you and why?
life of existence versus life of joy…
How many of us are living joyful lives, versus the day to day grind? Since having cancer 10 yrs ago, I decided to live each moment well. I forget sometimes, but I mostly try my best to enjoy the moment because life is fleeting.
Amen, Laura.
Amen, Laura!
Wednesday: The Meaning of Bread
7. Bread was the heart of the meal for the Israelites — how does this relate to Jesus and us?
—Keller said in reference to the Lord’s Prayer where we are asking God for our needs all we have to say is “give us this day our daily bread” because bread simply meant everything we need for life.
Jesus as the bread of life is everything we need for life because he is our very life.
8. What are things God is trying to teach us through the instructions for the manna?
—The important part of this is putting trust in God. Keller’s comment is “God says, I want you to depend on me. I don’t want you to think that the manna is going to save you. It’s me saving you. I want you to trust me.” They were instructed to collect it daily and not try to store any of it. But for any who did it spoiled and revealed their lack of trust in God to provide it every day as needed.
9. Breaking bread was a way of saying “I want you for my friend.” How have you experienced this through hospitality? Share a time when someone invited you over for a meal and you truly realized it was also an overture of friendship.
—I am realizing just how blessed my husband and I are in that we have lived in a culture of hospitality all our lives. Without a doubt the fact that we have been involved in churches all our lives and moved in the company of believers for many years we have many stories of sweet fellowship from the hospitality of others.
I look back to when we had all four of our children still at home and I was always impressed by those who had us as a whole family over for a meal. That was certainly a more rare occasion and I always understood the work of serving a family of 6. There are several people who come to my mind from that time. And they became good friends to our family. Even one friend who doesn’t cook said I can always order pizza. 😊
10. Read Exodus 24:9-11 and describe what happened after the blood sacrifice and what it signified God was saying to the Israelites. What did Keller say about this?
—Moses and his leadership along with the 70 elders of Israel went up the mountain and met with God where they saw God in his incredible beauty and glory. They were able to eat and drink in His presence and have fellowship with Him. God wanted a relationship with them.
Keller said “They realized that they were being brought into the presence of God and they weren’t being smitten. He did not raise his hand against them. He was saying, “I want a relationship with you.” What did they do?
They ate and drank. They broke bread. Because breaking bread doesn’t just doesn’t simply represent satisfaction, savory satisfaction and strength. It also represents oneness. It represents peace. It represents relationship.”
I think that is just an incredibly beautiful picture of our God from the Old Testament.
11. Explain the two words for life (Bios and Zoe) and what do you learn — do you remember the example of his son on the airplane?
—Bios means physical life or existence. Zoe means quality of life.
His son was enjoying his quality of life by being in a special relationship alone with his dad and enjoying the cool experience of his first airplane ride and having been given a Coke to drink.
It is one thing to just be existing in a physical life but life takes on real meaning and purpose when we have eternal life. Because eternal life is having Jesus and the satisfying quality of life He gives us by being our very life.
12. How has Jesus changed your daily quality of life?
—Jesus has changed it in great measure and I am so thankful and grateful for my relationship with him. The richness that comes from being in God’s Word every day brings meaning and purpose for living because of my relationship to Jesus. Everything about Jesus is life giving. No one can come to Jesus and leave in a state of despair if they only submit to him their brokenness. Jesus always raises us up in heart and spirit by being in his presence and in fellowship with him. When I am most needy I need Him most.
Interesting about a “culture” of hospitality — I am seeing it less in the church than once but it is still there. And yes, it is big to have a big family over!
Listen up to when Keller moves into “I AM the Bread of Life”
6. What stands out to you and why? I AM the Bread of Life directs us to Jesus being our source of all things that fill our lives with meaning; He is the supplier of our daily needs and He gives quality to our lives, not just quantity.
10. Read Exodus 24:9-11 and describe what happened after the blood sacrifice and what it signified God was saying to the Israelites. What did Keller say about this?
11. Explain the two words for life (Bios and Zoe) and what do you learn — do you remember the example of his son on the airplane?
12. How has Jesus changed your daily quality of life?
Thursday: Why Jesus Can Give It (I AM)
Listen through Keller speaking about “Before Abraham was I Am” to when he says “2nd reason”
13. He gets philosophical for a few minutes which I love but know all do not. The question he asks is “Is true objective or subjective?” Which is it and why?
—It’s the Sunday School answer “Jesus”. 😊
As Keller says “In Jesus they all come together”. Jesus is truth and you don’t have to choose between an idea of objective or subjective truth. It all comes together in Him alone as the “I AM”.
14. What is his point about Jesus saying “I AM?”
—He was saying that He was God meaning one with God and that made him the source of all life, of all power, and of all being as Keller says and that was the reason why He could be the bread of life because He was the source of all life.
7. Bread was the heart of the meal for the Israelites — how does this relate to Jesus and us?
We are offered the bread meaning to commune with Jesus.
8. What are things God is trying to teach us through the instructions for the manna?
To trust, to listen, to believe, to not worry, to be satisfied.
9. Breaking bread was a way of saying “I want you for my friend.” How have you experienced this through hospitality? Share a time when someone invited you over for a meal and you truly realized it was also an overture of friendship.
My friend Linda is a such a hostess. If you visit her just to say hi she invites you in and offers some sort of snack and drink. She is a sweet friend.
10. Read Exodus 24:9-11 and describe what happened after the blood sacrifice and what it signified God was saying to the Israelites. What did Keller say about this?
The elders, with Moses, climbed Mt. Sinai and “broke bread” with the Father! The ultimate dinner for sure!
Keller said He was inviting them into relationship with Him.
10. Read Exodus 24:9-11 and describe what happened after the blood sacrifice and what it signified God was saying to the Israelites. What did Keller say about this?
The Israelites went up on the mountain and they saw God, which was some inexpressible sight and they realized that they were being brought into the presence of God, and they ate and drank. The blood God sprinkled on them represents atonement for their sin and the breaking of bread signifies a Relationship with God; Fellowship; Oneness; God is not just your King, but the friend of your heart.
11. Explain the two words for life (Bios and Zoe) and what do you learn — do you remember the example of his son on the airplane?
Bios is physical life, existence.
Zoe is quality of life; joy, fulfillment, meaning, energy and satisfaction.
Keller’s son, Michael, after receiving a coke from the flight attendant, says: This is living! Spending time with Dad, being waiting on, watching the world go by from a plane.
Zoe is Eternal life (not eternal existence); it starts now. (John 6:35). You believe in Me, you come to Me and it starts now. It moves you from existing to living. If it is anything but God, it will spoil.
12. How has Jesus changed your daily quality of life?
In spite of what is going on in my life the Lord brings joy and quality to my days. The fellowship with Him and the reading of His Word is the most precious time of my day. One thing that Keller mentions that is so true in my daily life is that the “Bread” is eternal, yet the “Manna” is daily. He gives us enough sustenance for each day. This helps me to focus on living for Him, one day at a time and not living tomorrow before it arrives. This has been something I have struggled with and Keller’s message is a good reminder for me. Life is daily. One day at a time. He is trustworthy. He is faithful. I also love the C.S. Lewis quote: What we do want is something that cannot be had in this world. “There are things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never keep their promise.”
And this: “Safe? who said anything about safe? ‘course He isn’t safe, but He is good.” Mr. Beaver, Chronicles of Narnia. C.S. Lewis
11. Explain the two words for life (Bios and Zoe) and what do you learn — do you remember the example of his son on the airplane?
They both mean life. Bios means actual, physical life. Zoe means quality of life. you can either just exist, or you can actually LIVE. Enjoy the moment, smell the roses, etc. His son went on the plane and was given a coke from the flight attendant. He kicked back and said to Tim, “Dad, this is living!”
12. How has Jesus changed your daily quality of life?
Absolutely! I think just being aware of Him first thing in the morning…the driver of my day, is how I have mostly changed my life.
Love that Jesus is the driver of your day, Laura!! 🙂 Amen! He is my driver too! I am in the backseat!
♥️
Friday: Whole Idea: I AM The Bread
Listen to the end
15. What do farmers and hunters know? Point?
—Everything we eat has had to die so we can eat it so we can live whether it is a plant or an animal. We cannot live without eating and that requires the death of what we eat. It has to be broken.
Jesus is the perfect picture of that to us. His death gave us life.
16. Bread is breakable and must be for us to live. The point with Jesus? How is this miracle “a sign” point to who He is and why He came?
—When Jesus says I am the Bread of life it means as God he became breakable, vulnerable and he came to die on the Cross for my sin and atone for the things I’ve done wrong. And He did it all so I can be saved by grace and reconciled to the Father.
17. What are 3 practical applications?
—1. Jesus Christ is not just someone to be believed but he is to be our strength and our life. And it has to be something we do every day. We can’t hoard it but every day we have to come to Him and find a way to make Him our actual strength. He is our food for living. We are fed and strengthened by being in the Word and prayer every day. And the fellowship of corporate worship is needed too.
2. If you are going through a really difficult time in life God has manna for us. If we turn to Him when we have nothing else He will feed us. Only He can satisfy our heart’s needs.
3. We have to receive Jesus to have eternal life. If there is anything else in life we trust that we make more important than Jesus it will spoil.
Saturday:
18. What is your take-a-way and why?
—I think for me what stands out is the daily need we have for Jesus as the Bread of life. Our being fed comes to us by our spending time in the Bible which is the living Word of God. And we need it every day. Also equally important is praying and communicating in relationship with God every day and actually often. To pray without ceasing whether in praise & adoration or intercession or just conversation with the Lord it is our need daily as well. Our spiritual feeding daily is just as important as our physical need for food.
I have probably have said this somewhere on here before but it remains true. We had a dear old Norwegian pastor in our lives many years ago that said there are really only two things that matter in the Christian life. And they are the Word of God and Prayer. And after all these years I still find that to be true.
Love your take-a-way, Bev. beautiful words and I love the words of the dear old Norwegian pastor!
13. He gets philosophical for a few minutes which I love but know all do not. The question he asks is “Is true objective or subjective?” Which is it and why?
I don’t have to choose one of those, because Jesus Christ is more than either of those. As Keller states ” In Jesus they all come together.”
14. What is his point about Jesus saying “I AM?”
All other religions give you directives on what you need to do to achieve eternal life. None of us could ever achieve eternal life through our own efforts, because it is a GIFT from God. When Jesus says “I AM” He is saying He is ETERNAL LIFE. I only have to believe that the One God sent has achieved it. He has led the perfect life. He is the work of God and I nee only to believe in Him. It is so simple and we make it so complicated by creating lists of requirements, when all we need to do is to love Him deeply and sincerely and desire to serve Him. He will show us the way one day at a time.
One day at a time. So true for you right now as dear Ron is nearing the end of this life. Praying for you daily.
Thank you for your prayers, Dee and Bev. He sustains me daily. It is beautiful to see His hand taking care of each detail.
Prayers for you, Ron and your family
Praying for you Patti, your husband and your family. 💕
Thank you, Judy.
At our daughter’s since yesterday and realized I forgot to send my comments for Monday and Tuesday on my desktop at home. So I am just jumping here for Wednesday and trying to catch up!
Wednesday: The Meaning of Bread
Listen up to through this C. S. Lewis quote:
7. Bread was the heart of the meal for the Israelites — how does this relate to Jesus and us?
A meal provides sustenance to each of us. If bread is the heart of the meal for the Israelites and Jesus is the bread of life, then He is the one who is our sustainer.
8. What are things God is trying to teach us through the instructions for the manna?
He will provide what we need for each day. We do not have to worry about tomorrow. Manna also sustained the Israelites and gave them strength.
9. Breaking bread was a way of saying “I want you for my friend.” How have you experienced this through hospitality? Share a time when someone invited you over for a meal and you truly realized it was also an overture of friendship.
When we first came to the town where we lived for over 20 years, many families from one church invited us to their homes for a meal. We ended up attending that church and becoming its members. The hospitality extended to us made us feel welcomed and loved. Many of these individuals are still our friends today.
10. Read Exodus 24:9-11 and describe what happened after the blood sacrifice and what it signified God was saying to the Israelites. What did Keller say about this?
He called for the 70 elders to come up to him to the mountain. And when they were there, they felt the presence of God and no one was smitten! Instead they ate and drank. God wants to have a relationship with them. He wants them to see Him as their friend.
11. Explain the two words for life (Bios and Zoe) and what do you learn — do you remember the example of his son on the airplane?
I love his example of Michael with the Coca-Cola and exclaiming that this was living. Quality of life is being spent with his dad.
Bios is physical life, and existence whereas Zoe is physical life with quality life.
And I love what he says about eternal zoe not eternal bios. Eternal bios is hell! Whoa! That is worse hell that I can think of. Eternally living this way in this world???? That is hell, indeed.
12. How has Jesus changed your daily quality of life?
I look forward to my day knowing Jesus is with me. My circumstances may change but my friend, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and every tomorrow. I can live life choosing His joy and perspective rather than what the world has to offer. Yes, temptations come every day but I am kept in Jesus and therefore I have hope, His peace, and His joy.