Sermon Questions – January 18, 2026

Shaped:

• Discuss what it would be like to be a member of the crowd or one of Jesus’ disciples in this miracle story.
• Jesus’ feeding of the 5000 is a sign that the kingdom of God is coming. What does this miracle tell you about the kingdom of God – what and who are important to God?
• It seems plausible that Jesus knew the crowd would follow him to the remote wilderness place on the far side (east) of the Sea of Galilee. A pastor said recently, “Don’t waste a God-given wilderness.” What is wilderness? Does God lead us into wilderness, and why? How may you have seen this theme in your life?
• [optional:] Discuss N.T. Wright’s reflection on this story: “The point is obvious, but we perhaps need to be reminded of it: so often we ourselves have no idea what to do, but the starting point is always to bring what is there to the attention of Jesus. You can never tell what he’s going to do with it – though part of Christian faith is the expectation that he will do something we hadn’t thought of, something new and creative.”
• The OLD stories of Scripture remind us of the ways God continues to work in our lives. How have you seen God’s provision in your life? How does God’s compassionate, generous, powerful provision factor into the stories God is writing for you? (Consider the stories of Jesus’ current work in your life; the story of how you first came to trust and follow Jesus; the story of the “so what?” difference Jesus makes in your life.)
• Pastor Cara is inviting us to learn a summary of the gospel and is offering James Choung’s “True Story” as a model. (The two-part video can be found by searching on YouTube “James Choung True Story”, both 3-minute videos.) Who wants to practice telling part of it?

Loved: What are you hungry for? Is this a holy yearning? What might be the “five loaves and two fish” that Jesus is asking you to offer toward being filled?

Sent: How do you want to grow in your ability to share (new or old) stories about Jesus in the coming season? Pray together for the Spirit’s help and guidance. Pray also for the provision you are hungering for.