Christ was motivated by compassion.

Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” ⁶ He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. ⁷ Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!” —John 6:5-7 NLT

The disciples see the people as a problem.

Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.” —Mark 6:36 NLT

Jesus sees the people with compassion.

Jesus saw the huge crowd…and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. —Mark 6:34 NLT

• Compassion allows you to put the needs of others before your own.

• Compassion leads us into the supernatural.

What do you have?

“How much bread do you have?” —Mark 6:38 NLT

• If you want to see a miracle, give God what you have.

Jesus gave thanks for a little.

Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. —John 6:11 NLT

• Give thanks for all you got. Give thanks regularly.

• Giving to God first opens up possibilities you would not have otherwise.

The disciples’ faith was built up because they had seen the miracle.

After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” —John 6:12 NLT

God gets all the credit.

When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” —John 6:14 NLT

Discipleship Guide

Let’s Connect

• What are some needs you see that break your heart?

Let’s Talk About It
Jesus was moved with compassion to put the needs of others before his own. As someone who’s received the mercy of God, God wants us to move from simply being a receiver of mercy to being a distributor of it. It’s this type of compassion that leads us into the supernatural. What do you have that you can give to God to help someone else? When we give our little to God and give thanks, he makes it so much more for us and everyone else. Seeing the miracle God allows us to be a part of builds up our faith, and God gets all the glory!

John 20:30-31; John 6:1-14; Mark 6:34-38; Luke 23:34

• Which part of the message impacted and challenged you?

• Read John 6:1-7. When you face an impossible situation, how do you respond? Do you have faith in God’s provision or do you worry and question God’s care? How does knowing that God sees our every need build your faith to trust Him in a greater way?

• Read Mark 6:34-38. How do you see people? As a problem? Inconvenience? Or with compassion? As a group, think about ways to cultivate greater compassion in your heart for people.

• What are some practical ways you can put the needs of others before your own this week?

• Read John 6:11-14. What has God given you? What breaks your heart and stirs compassion in you? How might He want to use you and your gifts to bless others and demonstrate the compassion of Christ?

Take a Step

• What are some practical ways you can put the needs of others before your own this week?

Here’s My Prayer
Father, thank You for the miracle of salvation and the many other miracles You do every day. Forgive me for the times I see people, Your children, as an inconvenience or a problem. Give me greater compassion for the things and people that are broken, hurting and hungry for God. Thank You for all You’ve given me. May I use the resources You’ve generously given me to honor You and bless others. Amen.