Breaking Ground
What made you feel happiest this year? Why?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our series Jesus the Christ & Advent by exploring the theme of joy through the story of Jesus feeding a crowd of 5,000 people.
How would you define joy? What makes you feel joyful? What most easily takes away your ability to feel joyful? Why?
Next, read John 6:1-15. In this story, Jesus decides to feed a large crowd of people following him. In response, the disciples immediately question the possibility of this act. However, a little boy then offers his five loaves of bread & two small fish to Jesus, who uses this small offering to miraculously & abundantly feed everyone.
What does the disciples’ response to Jesus’ desire to feed these people reveal about their concerns & attitudes? How does Jesus react to them?
How does the young boy serve as a counter to the disciples’ example? What does this reveal about him & his internal world?
In the sermon, Jadah sat with how this story can offer us several critical insights into the nature of joy. For example, true joy is, among other things:
- Abundant & overflowing
- Open & available to everyone
- Generous & found in acts of service (big & small)
- Requires a posture of humility & openness
- Demands action & ongoing maintenance
How do each of these descriptions of joy appear in this particular story?
How does this story & these descriptions of joy differ from how we often think about it? How can they help us form a new definition of what it means to find & experience joy?
Where are you currently feeling a lack of joy? Why?
How can a renewed definition of joy help you reorient your mind & heart when it comes to what you’ve identified? How might taking a step forward in an act of outward service be part of what helps you find that new understanding of joy in this season?
Getting Out of the Hole
In this series, take time each week to reflect upon the story from the story & how you can find yourself within it during this season of your life.
- Read Matthew John 6:1-15. First, break this story down into pieces. What is Jesus doing in this story? How are people responding to him? What changes by the end of the story?
- Next, close your eyes & reflect upon the story. Imagine yourself in it. Put yourself into the space of the various characters & imagine what it would be like to encounter Jesus in the story.
- What images, teachings, or ideas speak to you the most in this story? What intrigues or confuses you? What feelings arose as you thought about being in the story? How can this story impact your life & your relationship with Jesus in this next season?
Journal, reflect, & pray on how God might be speaking to you through each week’s teaching. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
TheBibleProject.com
Simply Jesus by NT Wright
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, December 22nd: Join us next Sunday as we continue our series Jesus the Christ!
* Please see mye3.org for details.