Feeding the Multitudes With A Snack!
What You See Is NOT What You Get
The Mighty Strength Of The Lord
Can you think of a time when you
were caught or trapped in a place you
couldn't get out of? How did it feel?
Or: What was your most
embarrassing moment?
The sermon was based on 1 Thess 5:23.
Quickly recap the teaching about man
being body, soul and spirit...
spirit is the part of us that
relates to God, soul is our intellect,
feelings and will.
Make sure that people realise that
it does not mean that we are three
separate people... there is a lot of
inter-connection.
How do you feel about this idea? Does it make sense?
Romans 7: 7-25. Paul certainly
struggled with this issue of being pulled
in two ways.
What are the areas you struggle with
where you feel pulled between what
you know is right and what you want
to do?
What have you found helpful in
choosing the right way?
Galatians 5:16-26.
Where do you find the works of the
flesh cropping up in your life?
How does God help you choose the way
of the spirit?
How can we help one another grow
in the spirit and put to death the
flesh?
What do you want written on your
tombstone?
OR:
What was the scariest thing that happened to you at school?
OR:
What was the best and worst thing
about the last week?
Read Job chapter 1, 3:25.
What part did fear play in Job's
understanding of God?
When is "fear of God"
healthy? When is it unhealthy?
How does unhealthy fear affect your
relationship with God?
Do you agree with the assertion that
fear is a negative faith that
attracts the thing feared (see Job 3:25)?
Read 1 John 4:18
How does this verse address the
cause of fear?
How can we overcome the power of
fear in our life?
Ask each person what is one area
of their life where fear is a problem.
Pray for one another.
We can probably think of people who
are dominated by fear or anxiety.
Spend some time praying for these
people. How can you minister the love
of God to these people this week.
What was the best party you ever went to as a child?
What's your favourite party food? Why?
Passage: Mark 6:30-44
The five points of the sermon were:
1. God meets our needs in the midst of ministry
2. God does the impossible
3. God multiplies our meagre resources
4. God acts on our faith
5. God is generous.
Discussion Questions:
1. Imagine you were one of the disciples. How would you have
felt when
Jesus said to you "You feed them?"
2. Why do you think it is significant that this miracle happened
in the
hands of the disciples?
3. In what ways is God asking you to do something that seems
impossible?
What resources do you have? How do you need God to multiply your
resources?
Make sure that every participant understands that God is
calling them to
active ministry. Help them to see the needs and opportunities
around
them.
Don't neglect to pray for one another.
Mark 6:34 says that Jesus had compassion on the crowd because
they were
like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus was motivated often by
compassion
for the lost. Who are the people around you who are like "sheep
without
a shepherd"? Ask God to give you compassion for them, a
vision for their
lostness and boldness in encouraging them to find the Good
Shepherd.
What was the scariest thing you ever had to do in your life?
How did you fell at the time? What helped you to get through it?
Read Acts 4:23-31.
What do you think the word "bold" means?
Why did the disciples need to be bold?
What are some areas where you might need to be bold as a
christian?
(The sermon suggested the following: prayer, witnessing, faith)
What's the difference between bold faith and stupidity?
What are some things that you have found helped you to grow in
boldness?
What is one area of your life right now where you might need to
be bolder?
Most Christians find the whole issue of witnessing scary. That's
why most of us try to avoid doing it!
Think of one or two people that you might want to say something
to about God- pray for boldness to seize the opportunities that
might come your way in the coming week. Pray for one another.
When you were young, what was your favourite game of make-
believe?
OR
What is your favourite TV programme and why?
OR
If you could be anyone in the world, who would it be? Why?
Isaiah 1:10-20
What is God objecting to in this passage?
Why does he say "I hate your festivals-- they have become a burden to me?" (v. 14)
Do you ever feel like God hides His eyes when you pray (v. 15)?
What forms of pretence or hypocrisy do christians get tempted with today?
What forms of hypocrisy tempt you?
What is the solution to this? (vs. 16-18)
Many people have been turned away from the gospel by what they
perceive to be hypocrisy.
Ask God to cleanse your heart from this sin and to be sensitive
to those for whom the hypocrisy of others has been a
problem.
How will you try to be more real in your home, school or work
situation this week?
Can you think of a time when you were really, really thirsty?
What was it like?
OR
When you were a child, what was your favourite drink? What was
special about it?
Read Jeremiah 2:9-13
What was God's complaint against His people?
What do you think the living water is?
In what ways do God's people today reject His living water?
How do we try to build our own "cracked and leaking pits"?
What is the solution to this? How can we find "The Real
Thing"?
Read Acts 3:19... how can we find times of refreshing in Jesus?
If we as Christians can become thirsty, how much more are those
who don't know Jesus desperately thirsty for the
water of life? Let's learn how to share this refreshment with the
people around us.
Can you think of a time when you walked into a situation that was very different from how it appeared? How did it feel to get it wrong?
OR
What movie has the most memorable visual special effects?
Read 2 Corinthians 10:1-7; Ephesians 6:10-17.
It may be helpful, depending on the group, to point out that spiritual battles are not as portrayed in movies such as "The Exorcist" or TV shows such as "Charmed". These shows are also a part of Satan's strategy of deceiving the world!
How do you react to the idea that Christians are involved in a
spiritual battle?
Who are we fighting against?
What kinds of weapons does God give us for this battle?
When are you most aware of being in a fight against
principalities, powers and strongholds?
In fighting against the Devil what is your weakest area?
THe Bible says that the god of this age has blinded the eyes
to the power of the gospel to save people. Spend some time
praying for those people you know to have their eyes opened by
the Holy Spirit.
Being
a Person Of Influence
Ice- Breaker
If you are in unfamiliar territory and lose your way, are you
more likely to ask for directions or blunder around until you
find your way again?
Word
Bible Passage is Exodus 18:13-27.
Write down the names of five people who respect your opinion. How
many of these are non-christians? How can you influence them to
start following Jesus?
What three things does the passage say are essential for
influencers to do? (Pray, teach people God's ways, show them how
to live God's way)
Why do people not want to know God's standards? What sort of
areas do people in our society tend to least follow God's ways?
In what ways do you need to change in order to more effectively
show people how to live God's way?
Witness
What sort of outreach event could your cell group organise that
would be effective to bring the people on your list to? Pray for
these people and plan the outreach.
Religion or
Relation
Ice- Breaker
What was one time when somebody did something extraordinarily
nice for you for no special reason?
How did you feel? How did it affect your relationship with the
person?
Word
Read Colossians 2:6-19
What is the difference between religion and a true relationship
with Christ?
Paul mentions 3 areas of religion- legalism, doctrinal pride and
self-righteousness. How have you seen these three things in
churches or individual christians?
What would you think would be the antidotes for these three
religious practices that could lead us into genuine relationship
with Christ?
Which of the three religious malpractices are you most prone to?
What do you need to do to overcome them?
Do you detect any of these things in our Share Group? What can we
do to stay on track with the Holy Spirit
Witness
Many people are bound by false religions or by the hurts of
encounters with churches or christians that are in bondage to
religion rather than the freedom of Christ. These people are
being held back by spiritual strongholds that will blind them to
the gospel. Spend some time praying for God to tear down these
strongholds and create a new openness to the true gospel.
What are some ways your group can share with these people the
liberty of Christ?
Times of Refreshing
Ice- Breaker
Can you think of a time when you were desperately thirsty
(OR: physically or emotionally exhausted)? How did it feel? What
did you look forward to most to refresh you?
Word
Read Acts 3:16-19. NB The CEV is not terribly helpful here. You
will be better to use a more traditional translation such as the
NIV.
In what ways might people need "times of refreshing"
from the Lord?
What would God's refreshing feel like? What needs would it meet?
What does Peter say is the prerequisite for receiving refreshing
from the Lord?
What does the word "repent" mean? Why is it linked to
refreshing?
What things in your life do you need to repent of in order to
receive God's refreshing?
Have you ever asked Jesus to come into your life and take away
the dryness of sin? If not, would you like to do it tonight?
Witness
We live in a society that is so used to living in dryness that
most people don't even know they are thirsty because they have
nothing to compare themselves to.
Work out some ways that your group can be a source of refreshing
in your neighbourhood.
If you were to find a "magic lamp" and could have
three wishes what would you wish for?
Read Matthew 6:5-15
1. How do you feel about praying in a group? Is it easy to pray
out loud or hard?
What can this group do to help you?
2. Look at the Lord's Prayer in vs. 9-13.
Which sentence do you like best?
Which do you like least?
3. Why do we need to pray for help in temptation?
4. How do you feel about v. 15? Are there people you need to
forgive so that you can receive God's forgiveness?
5. Pray for one another about the issues raised.
Pray for God's Kingdom to be established in the hearts of
those you are witnessing to.
It might be worth while asking yourself how the corrupted forms
of religion (hypocritical praying etc., actions that don't match
words), have kept the people you pray for from coming into the
Kingdom
If you could say "Thank you" to any inventor in history, who would it be?
Read Psalm 111.
What does the word "praise" mean to you?
Who are some people that you think are worthy of praise?
Why should we praise God?
What are some reasons you have personally for praising God?
What benefits are there for praising God?
What are some of the hindrances, roadblocks, hang-ups and
obstacles that you experience in expressing praise to God?
What things help you to express praise God?
In your prayer time, think about people that you are wanting to become Christians. In faith, thank God for their salvation
What are the deeply held convictions in your life that you refuse
to compromise under any circumstance?
Reference 1 Thess. 1:5
1. What sort of empty promises do we get from the world? Why do
words need to be backed up with actions?
2. What, according to 1 Thess. 1:5 backed up the preaching of the
gospel for Paul?
3. What does it mean by conviction?
4. How convicted or assured are you about the power of the gospel?
Pray for one another and that this conviction about the gospel
will spread/.
Who would be one person whose opinion you would always heed?
Read Luke 17:20-21
What do you think about Jesus' statement that "the Kingdom
of God is with (or in or among) you?
In what ways do we get side-tracked by looking for the
spectacular signs of God's Kingdom?
Do you agree with the statement that God's Kingdom is within
anyone who seeks to obey God in all they do?
What parts of your life need to change in order to reflect God's
Kingdom values?
How closely does our society (nation or town) reflect God's will?
What needs to change?
How can we be more effective in inviting people to join God's
Kingdom?
What are some activities that our group might undertake to draw
people into the Kingdom?
If you were in a desert, what food would you crave the most? Why?
Read Luke 12:15-31
How have you experienced God's provision in your life? Can you
think of one specific occasion when God provided something you
desperately needed?
Do you think God gives us "more than enough" or just
the bare necessities.
How important is it to be obedient to God before we can receive
His gifts?
When you are praying for things you need do you feel guilty for
bothering God?
"God supplies enough for our needs but not enough for our
greed". Do you agree?
Can you think of someone who is not a Christian who has a need
that you might be able to pray with them for?
How will you offer to pray for them? How will you pray with them?
Have you ever lost something precious and later found it again?
How did it feel?
Read John 20:1-18
When did you first realise that Easter was more than a 4 day long
weekend?
How do you think that the disciples felt when they discovered the
tomb was empty?
What other explanations did people come up with to explain the
disappearance of Jesus' body?
In v. 14-16, what made the difference to Mary?
What difference does Jesus' resurrection make to your life?
How can we help other people to understand that Jesus is alive?
As a group work out some ways of sharing the Good News with
your neighbours.
Disgusting!
Icebreaker
What is one thing that you find really disgusting?
What is one thing that you think is really lovely?
What is the difference between the two qualities?
Word
We've talked about what we find disgusting. What does God find
disgusting?
Read Revelation 3:14-22.
In what ways do the people in Laodicea suffer from blindness?
What does God find disgusting about them?
What is His response?
In what ways are you lukewarm about God?
What would be His judgment on you?
What sorts of things stop you from getting hot for God?
What can you do to overcome this?
Witness
D.L. Moody once said, "The world has yet to see what God can
do through two men who are completely sold out to God's purposes.
What is one practical way you can seek to influence those around
you this week?
What was the longest trip you ever went on? What was it like?
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11
1. How do you feel about "The Rapture"?
2. Do you think most Christians are ready for such an event?
3. What preparations should we be making?
4. What do you think "The Tribulation" is about?
5. Do you think that there is already enough suffering in the
world without a special increase in suffering?
6. When you think of God's judgment how do you feel?
6. Over and over, Jesus tells us to be ready for these events.
How can we get ready?
The thought that our friends and loved ones might be left behind at the coming of Jesus should prompt us to greater efforts in witnessing.
Have you ever been in a conversation that you had no idea what
it was about? How did you feel?
Read Genesis 1,2.
Why did God create the world?
Why did God create human beings?
What makes us different from the rest of creation?
What does this say about the meaning of our lives?
What difference does it make when people do Not have a purpose?
Have you discovered your reason for being here on this planet?
Read Eccles. 13:11
What odes it mean when it says that God has placed eternity in
our hearts?
Think of people you know who seem to lack a reason to live.
How can you share the hope that is within you with these people?
(Note: depending on your group, you may want to change this to
focus on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in general or keep the
emphasis on prophecy)
What is the best present you ever received?
Read the following gift lists
1 Cor. 12:7-11 (Manifestations)
Romans 12:6-8 (Motivational Gifts)
Ephesians 4:11-12 (Ministry Gifts)
Which of the manifestation gifts have you ever experienced?
How have they helped you in ministering to others?
How would you describe the motivational gifts which you have?
Does this teaching about motivational gifts help you understand
other people?
What are some examples of how these gifts are used effectively?
Can you think of people who are not christians but who show these
gifts in some non-godly way?
Ephesians 4:11-12
Who are people whom you know who have these ministry gifts?
Are they things that all people should aspire to?
Prophecy is a common factor in all these lists of gifts.
What is prophecy?
How is prophecy in the church different to Old Testament prophecy?
Have you ever experienced prophetic ministry?
Why do you think the church needs to be careful about this gift
in particular?
These gifts of the Spirit are not just given for us to enjoy
behind closed doors. They should be used in ministering to
unbelievers.
Who are some people you may be ministering to this week who might
benefit from these gifts?
Pray for them now.
What was the earliest age that you heard the name of Jesus? What
did it mean to you then?
Read Mark 1:1-14.
1. What was John's message? How was it different to Jesus'
message?
2. How do we need to package the same message today?
3. Why was it important for Jesus to be baptised?
4. Why is baptism important for us today?
5. Why did Jesus go into the wilderness for 40 days? What was
happening there?
6. In this short passage there are 4 things:
a. Preparation (by God and John and Jesus) for the ministry
b. Baptism- like commissioning
c. Fasting and Prayer- toughening up and getting strength from
God
d. Preaching the Kingdom of God.
What stage are you up to in your walk with God? What do you need
to be doing at this time?
Who are the people you know whom God is preparing to receive the
gospel? What do you need to be doing for these people?
What is one good thing that happened this week?
Read Mark 1:15-28
1. What does it mean to “bring in people” in today’s
terms. Why do we find this hard to do?
2. What do you think of Jesus’ authority here in that he is
able to call people to follow him and they do it?
3. Have you had any experience with evil spirits? What sorts of
things give rise to people being affected by demons?
4. What does this incident tell us about Jesus and demons?
5. What was the result of this encounter?
This group should be reaching out to people around us. What are
some ways that we can do that?
Pray for members of the group.
Have you ever been amazed at your own strength or weakness?
Read Ephesians 6:10-11
1. What does the phrase "mighty strength" mean to you?
2. When is it a good idea to lean on someone else's strength?
3. In what areas have you experienced God's mighty strength?
4. In what ares of your life do you feel weak right now?
5. Pray for each other to receive God's mighty strength in those
areas where they need it.