JOHN 6

Read 6:1-31.

1. What motivated the multitudes to follow Jesus (6:2,14-15,26-27)?

Note:
• Their physical needs (6:2)
• Politics (6.14-15)
• Material gain—free bread (6:26-27)

2. Do you think these same things motivate people to be religious today?

3- How did Jesus react to these people (6:26-29)?

4. What do you think it was that disqualified them from being real followers of Jesus?

Note: They refused to accept the significance of the signs. They were interested only in the utilitarian side, what Jesus could do for them.

5. What do you think Jesus was really trying to teach the crowd when He fed them (6:27)?

6. Jesus attached a second meaning to both that bread and the manna Moses gave the Israelites. How would you explain that second meaning? (See Isaiah 55:1-2.)


John 6:32-58.

7. What do you think Jesus was implying when He referred to Himself as "the bread of life" (John 6:35,51)?
Note:
• He is from above—the supernatural world (6:38,41,42).
• He gives life to the world (6:33).
• He satisfies our hunger and thirst (6:35).
• He is eternal (6:51,54).

8. How can a person get some of this "bread" (6:51-58)?

9. What do you think Jesus means by "eat my flesh and drink my blood"? Note: It is an individual act. A person must take Christ as the "staff of life." (See Galatians 2:20.) This chapter is not referring to Communion. With whom did Jesus break bread at the Lord's Supper? For what purpose? (See Luke 22:14-23.) The Lord's Supper was intended to provide a permanent remembrance of the hour of His death. Jesus told the multitude in John 6 that they had to eat and drink of Him for a very different reason. What was it?

10. Why is it impossible for Jesus to be merely a teacher or a philosopher and say what He says in 6:35-38?


Read 6:59-71

11. Why didn't Jesus try to smooth things over when He saw that His followers were offended by what He said (6:60-66)? (See also Matthew 15:8-9, Acts 28:26-27.)
Note: The people were only superficially accepting Jesus. He wanted all or nothing. He did those people a favor by sending them away. They had long been under the illusion that they were "followers of Christ." But Jesus' nonnegotiable terms are, "Give Me your whole self or forget it!"

If Christianity were something we were making up, of course we could make it easier. But it is not. We cannot compete, in simplicity, with people who are inventing religions. How could we? We are dealing with Fact. Of course anyone can be simple if he has no facts to bother about.> —C.S. Lewis

12. When Jesus asked His twelve disciples why they didn't leave along with everyone else. Peter summed up their position (John 6:68-69). What was his answer?

13- What do you think he meant by that?

14. Have you learned anything new about being a follower of Jesus Christ through this Gospel?