St Bart's Anglican Church
Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the ninth sermon in our series “Promises You Can Count On'‘. This sermon is ‘I Will Raise’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: John 6:25-40Download the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).
Next Steps this WeekBIBLE READING: John 6:25-40
When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered, “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.” Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus said to them, “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.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” SMALL GROUP QUESTIONSDownload in PDF format.CONNECT: How could you tell someone about your assurance of a place with Jesus for eternity?WARM-UP Question What do you think are the common ways that people think about eternal life? How does this compare with Jesus’ promise to raise us up?READ John 6:25-27What miracle had Jesus just performed prior to this encounter? Why would have this been such a significant sign for those who lived from day-to-day? As people track Jesus down, what does Jesus identify as their motivation for finding him? What had they missed about Jesus that all of the signs were pointing to?Do you think it’s possible to ever come to Jesus with a materialistic agenda? What are some of the mixed motives that you can come to Jesus with from time-to-time?Whilst bread was an important staple of people’s diet to survive, what is it that Jesus really longs for the people to hunger for? What are the types of things that you can sometimes seek satisfaction instead of which ultimately don’t last?Scanning through verses 25-40, can you identify all of the ways that Jesus points to his gift being the gift that ultimately lasts and fully satisfies?What is the food that ‘endures for eternal life’ that Jesus speaks about? How is it only in Jesus that we can be truly satisfied, both now and for eternity?READ John 6:28-40What do the people think they need to do in order to receive the bread of which Jesus speaks? As people approach God today, do you think we can ever fall into this trap as well? What was the reference to the manna all about? What is different about the bread Jesus is now speaking of? How is Jesus both the giver and the gift?Throughout these verses, can you spot all of the ways in which Jesus claims that this true bread is only found in him? What is it about who Jesus is and what he has done that makes this possible? If the true bread is only found in him, what do you need to do to receive it? Who can receive it?What does it mean to you to know that Jesus will not drive away or lose any of those given to him?What is Jesus’ ultimate promise for those who are sent to him and come to him? What type of resurrection is Jesus speaking about (consider the precedent of his own resurrection).Throughout this series, has there been one particular promise that has stood out to you at this time?APPLY: What’s one way that confidence of eternity transforms your today? PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we thank you so much that we can be confident about forever with you because you have sent Jesus into the world. Please help us not to chase things that do not last and fail to satisfy, but that we may instead long and hunger for Jesus more and more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.GOING DEEPEROn Your Frontline This Week: How is the person you are praying for to become a disciple of Jesus going? What is their biggest belief blocker at the moment?For Families: Download some of the family resources to use at homeListen and Watch: AUDIO: The Bread of Heaven (Tim Keller)AUDIO: Jesus is Bread of Heaven (Series)AUDIO: Ravi Zacharias tells his Life StoryAUDIO: Taste the Difference (Series)Read:BOOK: “Where is God in a Coronavirus World?” By John LennoxBOOK: “God and the Pandemic” by NT WrightWITH CHILDRENGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. St Bart’s Kids This SundayFamilies: Read, Learn, Chat, and Pray.Families: Activity Pack.High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions.Bonus: Watch the Kids TalkBonus 2: Watch an Interview with Aileen HayesBonus 3: Watch Baking With MichaelLet us know how you are engaging with all the resources by taking a photo, uploading it, and tagging #stbartstoowoomba.
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