JOHN 6:1 – 71
Bible Study Notes Rev. Betsy Perkins
More Signs of Jesus’ Power
o Can you think of a time when God provided for your needs in a particular or surprising way?
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand (6:1-15):
Joe Boyd, Bible Experiment – Gospel of John (RightNowMedia), 1:01:55-1:04:30
o Why were great crowds of people following Jesus (verse 2)? Why didn’t they bring food?
o Which was Jesus more concerned about, the people’s spiritual hunger or their physical hunger?
o Is it significant that John mentions the season of the year (verse 4)?
o Why did Jesus ask Philip how they could feed the crowd? What do we learn about Philip from his response?
o What do we learn about Andrew from his response to Jesus’ question?
o What are the problems in your life that seem to have no solutions? Is your approach more like Philip or like Andrew?
Max Lucado, Life Lessons from John, pg.39-40
o Why do you think Jesus told the disciples to gather up the leftovers?
o What was the lesson that Jesus wanted his disciples to learn from this event?
o What does this story teach us about how God provides for His people?
o Which character in this story do you relate to the most? Which do you like most?
o How can this story inspire you to trust God to meet your needs?
Max Lucado, Life Lessons from John, pg.41-42
o Is this one of the “signs”? What is the clue? What does it show us about who Jesus is?
Jesus Walks on Water (6:16-21):
o Why was Jesus not in the boat with the disciples as they were rowing over to the other side of the lake?
o The lake, called the Sea of Galilee, is about 12 miles long and up to 7 miles wide. Where were the disciples when they saw Jesus? What was frightening them?
o Read Psalm 107:23-32. What does this psalm teach people about the LORD (Yahweh/I AM)?
o What does Jesus say to calm the disciples? In John’s account, is the storm calmed?
There are many times in our lives – and we never know when they will strike – when, metaphorically speaking, suddenly the wind gets up and the sea becomes rough. As we struggle to make our way through, sometimes we are aware of a presence with us, which may initially be more disturbing than comforting. (‘We’re already nearly drowning, and now we’ve got ghosts following us!’) But if we listen, through the roar of the waves and the wind, we may hear the Voice that says, “It’s me – don’t be afraid.” And if we are ready then to take Jesus on board, we may find ourselves, sooner than we expected, at the harbor where we will be calm and secure once more. N.T. Wright
o Are there any connections between these stories in chapter 6 and the Passover season of the year mentioned in verse 4?
o Is this one of the “signs”? What is the clue? What does it show us about who Jesus is?
“I AM the Bread of Life” (6:22-59):
Joe Boyd, Bible Experiment – Gospel of John (RightNowMedia), 1:04:30-1:08:40
o Why is the crowd confused as they go in search of Jesus? Why do they keep searching for him?
o What is “food that spoils”? What is “food that endures”? Who gives that food and how is he able to give it?
Jesus is the one upon whom the father has set his seal (vs.27): God, like a goldsmith with a hallmark, or like a king with his great seal, has stamped this person with the mark that declares not only where he comes from but that he carries his authority. What Jesus is doing, in other words, bears the marks that say: this is the kind of thing that, in Israel’s scriptures, God himself does. N.T. Wright
o Why does the crowd ask Jesus the question in verse 28? After Jesus answers the question, what does the crowd want next?
o What is the “true bread from heaven” that will satisfy and give life? Who can get this bread? What do we need to do to get that true bread?
o What does Jesus’ statement “I am the bread of life” mean to you?
o What does Jesus tell us God’s will is in verse 39-40? What is “eternal life”?
o The Jews begin to “grumble” (vs.41). What are they grumbling about? Can you recall other times when the Jews “grumbled”?
o What do the Jews think Jesus means when he invites them to eat his flesh? What do you think Jesus meant?
o The grumbling increases to arguing and fighting (vs.52). What are they arguing about?
o Read Leviticus 17:10-14. How does this law help us understand the Jews’ reactions? Does the explanation of this law give us new insights into Jesus’ invitation to “drink his blood”?
The 7 “I AM” Sayings in John’s Gospel Verses
“I AM… 6:35, 6:48, 6:51
“I AM… 8:12
“I AM… 10:7, 10:9
“I AM… 10:11, 10:14
“I AM… 11:25
“I AM… 14:6
“I AM… 15:1, 15:5
Dissatisfaction, Division and Desertion (6:60-71):
o How do you think Jesus was feeling at this point in his ministry?
o Do people today struggle to take Jesus’ words seriously or find them hard to believe? Do you? What can you do if that is the case?
In light of this passage and our discussion, what one truth about God and about yourself stand out as something to “take to heart” this week?
Are there steps you will take, by God’s grace, to more fully apply it to your life?
Resources: NIV Zondervan Study Bible, 2015
N.T. Wright, John for Everyone, 2002
Max Lucado, Life Lessons from John, 2018
Joe Boyd, Bible Experiment – Gospel of John (RightNowMedia), 2014
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