John 6

Grace 

That we find and invite Jesus as disguised among ‘the least of these’ into our lives and open homes.

Devotion 1

Opening Prayer

LORD, come among us,

Friend of the poor,

Lover of the outcast,

Food for the hungry,

Health of the sick,

Saviour of the world,

Bringer of good news,

Hope of us all,

Come among us.

Grant us health and holiness,

Hope and peace.

Amen.

Read: John 6:1-15

Q: Share together some examples of times when you have experienced a miraculous abundance that has come from just a little being shared in community.

Q: Interestingly, the Greek verbs used in v11 are the same as those used in describing Jesus’ actions in the Last Supper (Lk 22:19): he took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and gave them to the people. How does this connection effect our reading of John’s account of a miraculous distribution of food?

Share: Communion

Pray: Pray for each other and the neighbourhood.

Closing prayer:

Lord, you love us abundantly

So that we may learn to love others abundantly

You gave yourself completely to us

Teach us today not only to give things, but to give of ourselves

And multiply the little that we bring into an abundance of generosity and grace.

Amen

Devotion 2

Opening Prayer

LORD, come among us,

Friend of the poor,

Lover of the outcast,

Food for the hungry,

Health of the sick,

Saviour of the world,

Bringer of good news,

Hope of us all,

Come among us.

Grant us health and holiness,

Hope and peace.

Amen.

Read: John 6:16-21.

Q: What stands out to you in this passage?

Here is a reflection from Jean Vanier on this passage:

“The disciples, who were confused and upset in the boat,

are telling us something about ourselves.

How easily they seem to have forgotten the blessedness

of the picnic with Jesus!

How easily we forget!

We can live blessed moments of the presence of God in prayer

or through an encounter with someone

where we sense God’s presence.

Then something happens

and we are plunged into the depths of sadness and despair.

We forget the moment of blessedness.

Doubt, anger and anguish surge up within us.

We have short memories!”

Share: Communion.

Pray: Pray for one another and the neighbourhood.

Closing prayer:

Lord, we have short memories. Help us, in times of doubt and confusion, to remember the times of blessedness you have gifted us with. May we die to the desire to control situations, even to control your Spirit, but rather may we abandon ourselves to where Your Spirit is leading us. Amen.

Devotion 3

Opening Prayer

LORD, come among us,

Friend of the poor,

Lover of the outcast,

Food for the hungry,

Health of the sick,

Saviour of the world,

Bringer of good news,

Hope of us all,

Come among us.

Grant us health and holiness,

Hope and peace.

Amen.

Read John 6:22-27.

Q: What stands out to you in this passage?

Share communion together, and pray for each other, your neighbourhood and the world.

Closing prayer (from Psalm 22: 25-31, The Message version):

Here in this great gathering for worship
I have discovered this praise-life.
And I’ll do what I promised right here
in front of the God-worshipers.
Down-and-outers sit at God’s table
and eat their fill.
Everyone on the hunt for God
is here, praising him.
“Live it up, from head to toe.
Don’t ever quit!”
From the four corners of the earth
people are coming to their senses,
are running back to God.
Long-lost families
are falling on their faces before him.
God has taken charge;
from now on he has the last word.
All the power-mongers are before him
—worshiping!
All the poor and powerless, too
—worshiping!
Along with those who never got it together
—worshiping!
Our children and their children
will get in on this
As the word is passed along
from parent to child.
Babies not yet conceived
will hear the good news—
that God does what he says.
Amen.