Session 4

Relief (Mark 6:39-44)

39 Then he instructed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass.
40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties.
41 He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves.
He kept giving them to his disciples to set before the people.
He also divided the two fish among them all.
42 Everyone ate and was satisfied.
43 They picked up twelve baskets full of pieces of bread and fish.
44 Now those who had eaten the loaves were five thousand men.

Discuss:

what do these verses reveal about Jesus? V

Ask:

• In what ways did Jesus satisfy the crowds?

Remind adults that God had used the disciples to meet many needs during their mission assignment.
But even when we know God is at work, we still face challenges that seem beyond us.
Those should remind us that we can do nothing in our own strength.
We need Jesus all the time!

State:

read verse 43 aloud.

Jesus not only fed the crowd, but He also met His disciples needs.
Remind them that the disciples never got a chance to eat themselves (v. 31),
so Jesus provided twelve baskets of leftovers for them.

Reflect:

• How do we find genuine satisfaction with all the things that Jesus provides? (p. 39)

CHALLENGE

Summarize:

Review these points from this week's Bible passage:

• Believers should make sure they and others find rest.
• Believers need to feed their souls with the truth of God s Word.
• Believers can look to God to provide when facing a challenge.
• Believers should find satisfaction when Jesus uses them.

Ask:

• Which of these of these four application points creates the most difficulty for you right now?
• What principle from today s session can you use to resolve that issue in your life?

Challenge:

Discuss the Apply the Text question on page 39.
Give each adult an index card and a pen.
Direct them to write down one way they can seek rest this week.
Encourage them to flip the card and to record one area where they will seek satisfaction in Jesus alone this week.
Urge them to use the card as part of their prayer time this week.

AFTER THE SESSION

Reinforce the session by examining your own life to determine whether you are satisfied in Jesus. Contact the group through email or text, encouraging them to look to Jesus for satisfaction in life this week.