John 6:25-71: The (Ginger)Bread of Life
Read or listen to John 6:25-71.
Do you currently find yourself in a time of abundance? Do you find yourself in a time of great need? Do you find yourself in a time of . . . both?
If you could ask God for any one solution, what would it be? (By the way – God loves it when we ask: just see Luke 18:1-8).
When has God been faithful in the past, either to you or to others?
What part of God’s character are you most grateful for today? Express gratitude to God for this in worship and prayer.
Home Activity
What is one thing that is filling your time but not filling you? Examples: Media, food, hobbies, relationships, etc. How can you do 5-10 minutes less of that and 5-10 minutes more time with Jesus?
Memorize and say often: “I am the bread of Life.” (John 6:48)
More Resources
The theme of Wilderness is found throughout the Bible. Watch this video by the Bible Project to hear more about what the wilderness in Biblical text is, and God’s presence within it.
John 6:1-24: Filled to the Brim
Read or listen to John 6:1-24.
John records two more miracles of Jesus in this passage – the feeding of the five thousand and walking on water. He demonstrates again that he is no less than the God of creation who sustains and fills his earth with good things.
Where have you seen God at work this week? How is he filling your life with good things? Are you empty enough to receive it?
A Prayer for Opening Ourselves to God
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need,
and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.
(Matt. 6:9-13, NLT)
Home Activity
Wash out a dirty container, then fill it to overflowing with a favourite snack. Discuss these questions with your household or friends: How is baptism like washing a dirty dish? What does God want to fill us with?
John 5:16-47: One God and Five Witnesses
Read John 5:16-47 and Deuteronomy 6:4-5.
This is a challenging passage! Try reading or listening to it aloud. Try listening to different versions. What stands out to you?
This week, Katelyn mentioned the Four-Legged Stool of Faith (also known as the Wesleyan Quadrilateral), which has four legs that uphold our faith:
- Scripture
- Experience
- Reason
- Traditions & Practices
Which of these legs are most familiar and comfortable to you? Which leg could use more attention as you seek to grow in faith and love?
A Prayer for Finding God in All Things
Walk with me, Creator, in the cool of today. Point out to me those things you’ve made for my pleasure and my nourishment. Show me the people you are inviting me to know, to care for, and to defend. Draw my attention to the subtle hints of your beauty, your glory, and your power. As I wander, fill me with wonder and worship at your presence. Amen. https://reclaimtoday.org/a-prayer-for-finding-god-in-all-things/
Home Activity
Try saying the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) once per day as a household or to a friend. It could be in the morning, at a meal, or right before bed. Share ways that you see, hear or know that Jesus is who John says he is.
More Resources
Watch this one-minute video to learn more about the Shema and what it means to listen to God.
John 5:1-15: "Do You Want to Get Well?"
Read the story of the sick man being healed in John 5:1-15. In Sunday’s sermon, Mark mentioned three statements that could be taken humorously:
- “Do you want to get well?”
- “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.”
- “Stop sinning, or something worse may happen to you.”
Do any other interactions in this passage of Scripture strike you as peculiar?
It is easy for us to forget when God has been good or when God intervenes. What habits do you find helpful to “remember” God’s goodness, grace and care? What is a new habit that you could try daily for this week that helps you to remember? Are there any habits you could try this upcoming Advent season that help you to remember the goodness and intervention of God?
Group Activity
Memorize John 5:8: Then Jesus said, “Get up, pick up your mat and walk.”
While sitting at the table for a meal, everyone takes a turn saying one word at a time. Keep going around until you have the verse memorized.
Think about: What is God asking you to do differently?
More Resources
Watch this one-minute video on why ‘remember’ means so much in the Bible.
John 4:43-54: Once is Chance, Twice is Coincidence?
Read the story of Jesus with the royal official once more. Put yourself in the official’s shoes, and hear Jesus make the audacious claim that you should, “Go. Your son will be well.” What is it like to turn away and leave Jesus? What questions fill your mind?
The next day, you recognize a group of people coming towards you on the road. They stop and tell you that your son recovered at the same time that Jesus said he would be healed. Now, what questions fill your mind? What do you feel?
Now read the story of Thomas in John 20:24-29. There, Jesus says that those who are able to believe without seeing are blessed. Where do you see the subtle signs of God’s handiwork around you?
Share these observations with a friend or a family member. Where do you need to see God’s handiwork? Can you pray for God to hold your worries and concerns, and give you trust in him until he resolves them?
John 4:1-42: "He Told Me Everything I Ever Did"
Video Resource
Click here for an additional short video on what the Bible means when it talks about Jesus as the well of living water.
John 3:1-36: Born From Above
This week, we are contemplating the presence of Jesus with us in every light and dark moment. Please see the discussion questions, podcast resource, and prayer for your time with God.
Home Activity
Make a card that hangs from your rearview mirror that says “Jesus is the Way” to remind you each time you get in the car that following Jesus will mean you are always in the light, no matter how dark your circumstances are, you are always moving toward the light because he is guiding you. Click on the maze to print or pick up a card from Angela!
John 2:13-25: The House Doesn't Always Win
This week, we are joining Jesus in cleaning out our houses! That is, our spiritual houses – our very hearts and lives. Here you’ll find Scriptures to meditate on as you work through the ‘rooms’ of your life and bring the clutter to Jesus.
John 2:1-12: Why Do You Involve Me?
This week, we are identifying God’s active movement in our world today! Jesus involved himself in ordinary things at the wedding at Cana; how is he involving himself in your life?
More resources:
Watch this stop-motion Lego portrayal of the sign of Jesus at Cana. What does the animated version of the story highlight for you? What seems different from the account in John 1:1-12?
John 1:35-51: Moving Toward Jesus
This week, we are reflecting on what it means to follow Jesus as he is on the move in our world. Take some time to discuss these questions with your household!
More resources:
For more on social sets, read this blog post by Pastor Katelyn: Social Set Theory: Bounded and Centred Sets
John 1:19-37: Witnessing God
Take this week to reflect on John the Baptist, the Witness. Use these discussion and reflection prompts to grow in faith as a household.
More resources:
Lay It All Down by Will Reagan and United Pursuit
John 1:1-18: God Among Us
Take this week to reflect on Jesus, God Among Us. Use these discussion and reflection prompts to grow in faith as a household.
More resources:
The Gospel of John Summary by the Bible Project
Prayer
We learn how to pray from the words of Scripture and the wise followers of Jesus who have gone before us. Here is a prayer from St. Patrick.