Welcome
everyone to your Table Talk small group. Watch the video and
share the story below, then open up the discussion with the questions
provided.
Table Talk
Video: Table Manners – The Miraculous Meal
The story
of Jesus is one braided together with preaching, teaching, and
performing miracles. Everywhere Jesus went, he engaged in these
three ministries. He preached to the crowds, taught in homes
around the dinner table, and healed those who were in need as He
went.
Similarly,
God has blessed us with four different Gospel accounts that all
invite us into the story of Jesus through the eyes of one of His
followers. Those accounts share different details, but braid
together to give us a full picture of Jesus as the preacher,
teacher, and healer.
Did you
know that the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels is the Feeding
of the 5,000? This single miracle was so enthralling that all
four Gospel writers, stretching over 50 years, couldn’t help but
talk about it. It provides the perfect cameo of the Kingdom
coming in Jesus. Crowds flock to Him. Jesus preaches, teaches,
and performs miracles. He cares for human needs, displays
authority over creation, sustains life, and invites his followers
to share in doing God’s work.
Jesus is
still bringing the Kingdom and inviting us to step into the needs
around us in His empathy, authority, and power. What miracles
does God want to do through you?
Father
God, open our eyes to what is possible. We live in a world of
fear and limitation but you are the One who spoke into
nothingness and created all things. All things are possible
through you. May we see new ways to serve, dream new dreams,
expect new miracles, and step forward in faith knowing nothing is
impossible for you.
Starting the Discussion (4 minutes)
1.
What was the most memorable moment for you from the
weekend services at Southside Church?
Unfolding the Biblical Story (31 minutes)
1.
Look at the story leading up to this one. What had
the apostles been doing exactly?
2.
After returning victorious in accomplishing what
Jesus sent them to do, why do you think he withdrew to somewhere
else? Why not have a parade or a party instead?
1.
Do the disciples make a reasonable request of Jesus?
2.
They are outside of a small village with a very
large crowd that has followed them from another city. No fast
food. No hotels. No chain grocery stores. What do you think the
disciples were feeling in this moment?
1.
Jesus immediately challenges what they think is
possible and gives an invitation in the place of a problem. Has
God challenged your response to fear recently?
2.
The disciples seem almost indignant as they respond.
We learn in the other Gospel accounts they don’t even have the
fish and bread, it is a small boy’s lunch that he offered in
order to help the crowd. How different is this boy’s response to
that of the disciples?
3.
The disciples were filled with faith the day before
as they celebrated the miracles God had done through them. What
has changed in 24 hours?
4.
Have you ever felt great faith and expected miracles
on a mission trip but felt stifled by normalcy and low
expectations at home?
1.
How does Jesus invite the disciples to be a part of
the miracle? Did Jesus need them to be a part of this?
2.
That word satisfied has long caught my attention.
What does that word tell us about the way Jesus ministered to the
people?
3.
There were 12 baskets left over, one for each
disciple to collect. How do you think they felt as they each
returned to Jesus with a full basket of food in light of
previously saying they didn’t have enough resources to help?
Making Scripture Personal (6 minutes)
1.
Do you ever doubt that God is able to use you to do
miraculous things in the lives of the people around you?
2.
What practical next step do you need to take to
respond to God’s invitation to be a part of a miracle?
You did it
God. You always do. You surprise the most skeptical among us and
empower the weakest to shine forth your greatness. You are the
miracle working God, and your heart’s desire, your perfect will,
is that we get to be a part of the miracle. Father, we humbly
acknowledge that we are a people who need our faith increased and
our presumptions silenced. Open our eyes to see what you see and
to believe what you desire will come to pass. We trust you, and
we want to accept the invitation to become a part of the miracle
solution to our world’s problems. We ask in faith in the name of
Jesus, amen!
See if
anyone has lingering questions or insights to share from your
time of study and prayer. Summarize the group discussion as a
reminder of what you learned together.
Scripture Challenge (3 minutes)
For your
scripture challenge this week, work with your group to try and
memorize Luke 9:13 Practice it out loud together, write it out
several times and recite it throughout the week. May we trust
that God is inviting us to be the conduit of a miracle!