Light & Life - Bread of Life – February 4, 2024
Welcome, Introduction, and Opening Prayer
In this new year, we are exploring the life and ministry of Jesus according to the Gospel of John. This Gospel has been called the “Spiritual Gospel” and is vastly different than the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Whereas these three Gospels follow a very similar narrative, John’s Gospel diverges into a different portrayal of Jesus’ life. John is more concerned about the signs and symbols that point us to a deeper spiritual truth.
SHARE – Icebreaker –This Sunday’s story includes Jesus’ first “I Am” statement, “I am the bread of life.” What is your favorite type of bread – roll, cornbread, breadstick, biscuit, etc?
STUDY - Text: John 6:35, 48-59 (NRSVUE)
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day, 55 for my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which the ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.” 59 He said these things while he was teaching in a synagogue at Capernaum.
When Jesus says that he is the bread of life, he makes it clear the only way to have eternal life is through Him. Several times He mentions eating His flesh and drinking His blood. What does He mean by this? How can a person eat Jesus’ flesh?
Many of the disciples stopped following Jesus after hearing this difficult teaching. Why do you think people were so put off by Jesus‘ teaching words? Do you think Jesus intentionally used this imagery and language to offend or confuse them? Have you ever felt offended by one of Jesus‘ teachings?
Has there ever been an experience in your life when it seemed you were “eating” Jesus—and He was nourishing you? How have you been spiritually nourished through Holy Communion?
SUPPORT - Blessings and Burdens: What has been life-giving for you this week? What has been life-draining for you?
Closing Prayer