Check-In (Highs & Lows) 15 min
A great, quick way to catch the highlights of what is happening in the lives of the people in your group is to take turns quickly sharing the “highs & lows” of your week. High: What was your biggest highlight since we last met? Low: What was the low point during this time?
Settle-In (Ice-Breaker) 10 min
Share about a time when you entered into a conversation and underestimated its significance.
Dig-In (Scripture) 35 min
1. Reflect on the crowd’s response in John 6:24-25. Why do you think they were more interested in Jesus’ travel plans than the deeper significance of his miracles?
2. What are some common expectations people have of Jesus that you have heard? What are some false expectations of Jesus that you have carried in life?
3. Consider Jesus’ statement in John 6:26-27. What does he mean by “food that endures to eternal life”? How does this contrast with the crowd’s desire for temporary satisfaction?
4. When Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life” in John 6:35, what is he communicating about himself? How does this challenge the crowd’s expectations?
5. Reflect on the disciples’ response in John 6:68-69. What sets them apart from the crowd? How do their words demonstrate a deeper understanding of Jesus’ identity and mission?
6. In what ways do unmet expectations lead to frustrations, as seen in the crowd’s reaction? How might this dynamic play out in our own lives?
Gear-Up (Application) 15 min
1. How do you relate to the crowd or the core in this story? Are there areas in your life where you need to realign your expectations with Jesus’ teachings? How can we ensure that our expectations of Jesus align with his teachings and purposes?
2. What steps can we take to deepen our understanding of Jesus as the bread of life and the source of eternal satisfaction?
3. Reflect on your own journey of faith. Are there areas where you’ve been tempted to prioritize temporary desires over eternal truths? How can we cultivate a mindset of surrender and trust, like the disciples who remained committed to Jesus despite challenges?
Step-Up (Homework)
1. Spend some time in prayer, asking God to reveal any areas where your expectations of Jesus may be misaligned with his will. Write down any insights or convictions that come to mind.
2. As Easter approaches, we’ve got several devotional tools to use as you pray and reflect during this Holy Week. In the YouVersion Bible App, we’ve linked a “featured plan” (if you’ve made Summit your church). Our Summit app will also announce daily devos from Bryan. These will also be available on Facebook.
3. Continue to be in prayer for your One More. Invites to our EggFest and Easter services are easy ways to invite them in. If needed, we have invites with times for the EggFest and Easter in the lobby, or you can find times on the Summit App.