October 13th, 2024

1. Jesus called Himself the bread of life. Bread was a food the people of that time and culture would have eaten daily. What is a staple food or beverage that you consume most frequently or just can’t do without? 

2. Read John 6:1-15; 25-71
   
   • Make some observations about John 5:1-17 (What does the text say?):
     What characters in the story stand out to you and why?
   • What do you notice and what are you curious about?

Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean?)

• What do you learn about God? 
• What do you learn about humanity? 

Now make some applications (what’s my response?)

• How are you encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage?
• What should be our response to this passage?

3. Read Luke 6:38. How do you feel about the statement- “In God’s Kingdom generosity is a privilege, not a burden.”

4. Read Deuteronomy 8:2-10 and Matthew 7:7-11. God cares about our physical and temporary needs.
   • For the Israelites, it was food they asked for, and for the disciples, it was signs and wonders (John 6:30-31). We all have things we come to Jesus for. What are some of the desires or needs you frequently bring to Jesus in prayer?
   • How many of them are temporary versus eternal, physical versus spiritual? Do you tend to focus on one more than the other? Is there one you could focus on more?

5. If you are honest, how are you currently relating to Jesus- rejecting, pretending, or consuming? Why?

Scripture

Luke 6:38-38(NIV) Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Deuteronomy 8:2-10 (NIV) 2 Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. 4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. 5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.6 Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him. 7 For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; 8 a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; 9 a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.10When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.

Matthew 7:7-11 New International Version (NIV) 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Prayer

Father, teach us to come to you for every need. Teach us to rely and give thanks to you for even our most basic needs. As we follow you show us the places in our hearts where you are calling us to sacrifice and surrender. By the power of your Holy Spirit help us to trust you even when it’s hard and we don’t see the answer to the prayers we pray. Teach us to consume you and your ways so we can truly walk in the life you have for us.

Practice

1. Find one way you can live out Kingdom generosity this week. For example, pay for a meal of a stranger, or fund a disaster relief effort. 

2. Identify the area in your life that you cling to the most; the area you are most sensitive to criticism perhaps. Take it to Jesus in prayer.

3. Have you trusted Jesus, but have never taken the step to receive baptism? Please register here so we can celebrate this important declaration of faith and come along side you as you learn what it means to follow Jesus. https://www.gatewaychurch.com/baptism/ 

For Families

Preschool:  Exodus 7:12–10:20

This week we learned that God is so, so powerful!

THE BIBLE:    “But I know that God helps me. The Lord is the one who keeps me going.” Psalm 54:4 (NIrV)

In today’s true Bible story, God uses his power to try to get pharaoh to listen to him.

THE BIG IDEA: GOD WILL ALWAYS HELP ME.

HIS WEEK FOR ELEMENTARY –Exodus 1-2

THE BIBLE:  “I am the Lord your God. I take hold of your right hand. I say to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.’”  Isaiah 41:13 (NIrV)

THE MESSAGE:

In today’s story, Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go so they could worship and follow God. But nothing is too hard for God. God used His power to force Pharaoh into freeing His people. To do that, God sent some powerful plagues.

THE BIG IDEA: God is our protector, so I don’t need to be afraid

ASK THIS

Because sometimes you and your kid need a conversation-starter that isn’t,

“So . . . how was church?”

• In the Bible, it says that it was God who hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that he wouldn’t let the Israelites go. Why do you think God did this? Look up Romans 9:17–18 to see the answer.
• In what ways were you able to see God’s power in this story