Small is More Than Enough

GETTING STARTED

Have you ever felt like God asked you to do something that you didn’t think you had the physical or emotional resources to accomplish—like feeding the poor, sharing your faith, being generous, or forgiving someone? In yesterday’s passage Jesus asked his followers to feed a multitude, and all they could see was what they did not have. How could five loaves and two small fish feed so many? Impossible.

  • When have you experienced God do something that seemed impossible?

READ THE WORD: JOHN 6:10-15 (ESV) 

10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”

15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. What are the miracles that took place in this passage?
  2. According to this passage, how much food was there?
  3. Why would these people have wanted to make Jesus king?
  4. What do you learn about Jesus that you need to take with you in faith as you face God’s call on your life today?

RESPOND TO GOD

Five thousand people received an all-they-cared-to-eat banquet from a meager gift of five barley loaves and two fishes. What’s more, the doubting, overwhelmed disciples each got a basketful of leftovers. It is as if Jesus was saying, “I can make your little bit be more than enough. Your small faith and your few resources, when put in my hands, can do more than you can ever imagine. Trust me!” Jesus can take what is not enough for us and make it more than enough for many. What would your life be like if you lived with a trust that Jesus is willing and able to multiply your small offerings and make them a blessing to others?

  • Ask God to speak to you about how he wants to use you in the world. Ask him if there’s someone in your realm who needs a meal, a caring presence, or to hear the good news that God loves them and wants to forgive them.
  • Offer up to God what you have and ask him to multiply it for his glory and the good of the world.