Purpose and Power
Mark 6:30-44, NLT
1. READ THE INTRODUCTION
Last week we talked about how purpose follows passion. Whatever you’re passionate about is usually where your purpose lies. Once we find purpose, we soon discover God gives us strength and power to accomplish that purpose. Empowerment begins with an act of obedience. Sometimes that act of obedience is super public and requires a lot of courage. Other times the Holy Spirit leads us to do something that’s more behind the scenes. Regardless, there is no such thing as a small or large act of obedience. The Bible teaches that whoever is faithful with little, the same will be faithful with more (Luke 16:10).
In our story, we see a powerful picture of what it looks like when purpose and power meet. The disciples, who feel under-resourced, are called upon to meet a need. Then, there’s conversation and finally action. In many ways, this is what it looks like when God wants to moves in our life. He taps us on the shoulder and says, “Did you notice what’s going on over there?” And then he asks, “What are you going to do about it?” That’s purpose. And when we act, He acts. As we unpack this story and what it means to walk in purpose, think deeper than the church. Think about the opportunities and moments where the Holy Spirit invites you to impact people in your workplace, school, or community. God’s purpose for our lives far exceeds the church walls; it seeps into every area and people in our life.
2. TELL THE STORY IN YOUR OWN WORDS
3. READ THE STORY
“The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.” But Jesus said, “You feed them.” “With what?” they asked. “We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!” “How much bread do you have?” he asked. “Go and find out.” They came back and reported, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish.” Then Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish. A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed.” Mark 6:30-44 NLT
4. LIFE QUESTIONS
A. Have you ever experienced or witnessed a miracle? Explain.
B. What do you believe your unique purpose is right now (purpose can change with the seasons of life)?
C. What is the most public faith step you have ever taken? What was the role of the Holy Spirit in your action (Did He give you courage, boldness, etc)?
D. What is your most memorable experience where the Holy Spirit purposely led you to meet a need in someone’s life, when you felt under-resourced?
E. When Jesus recognized a need, he had compassion. Why is compassion such an important part of purpose?
F. Jesus saw this need as an opportunity. The disciples saw it as an obligation. How does seeing our purpose as an opportunity change how we take action?
G. How is our action impacted when we view purpose as an obligation?
H. Jesus “broke the bread” before giving it to the disciples who served the people. Sometimes “brokenness” is required before we see the power of God. Can you share an experience where your own brokenness preceded God moving in your life?
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