Click HERE and HERE and HERE to find out more about Tabgha AKA Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes
Lectionary Texts for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost (Year A – Lectionary 18)
Isaiah 55:1-7
» Read Isaiah 55:1. Whom does God invite to come eat and drink in abundance? What does God ask in return for the abundant provisions He makes?
» Read Isaiah 55:2. "Listen, listen," God begs, giving reasons why the thirsty and poor should listen, come, buy, and eat. How do modern people spend their money, energy, and time on "what is not bread" and "what does not satisfy"
» Read Isaiah 55:3. Why does God invite us to listen and to come to Him?
» Read Isaiah 55:7. What will God do for an the evil person turns to God?
Romans 9:1-8
» Read Romans 9:1-3. How does Paul feel about the fact that most of his fellow Jews have rejected Christ?
» Read Romans 9:6-8. What makes a person a "child of God"?
+++
Matthew 14:13-21 – Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
» Read Matthew 14:1-13: How did Jesus respond to the death of his close relative (cousin? See Luke 1:35-45) John the Baptist? Read Matthew 14:13. How did the "crowds" respond to the news?
» Read Matthew 14:14. What was Jesus’ response to the people that came to see Him? What implications does His response have for us?
» Matthew 14:15-16. What did the disciples want Jesus to tell the crowds? Why? What is it about "desolation" that draw us away from others? How did Jesus respond to the disciples’ suggestion?
» Read John 6:14-15. How did the crowds respond after the meal? In what ways do you think they understood and misunderstood Jesus?
» Read Matthew 14:16. Jesus tells his disciples.."you give them something to eat"..in what ways is it tempting to spiritualize this command? In what ways is this a command to us? See also Matthew 25:31-46.
» What is it about eating food together brings people together? What connections do you see between this meal and other meals in the Bible? Who is the most gracious host? See Exodus 16, Deuteronomy 16:1-8, 2 Kings 4:42–44, Isaiah 25:6-7, Matthew 26:26-35, Luke 22:30, Acts 2:46- 47, 1 Corinthians 10:1–20, Revelation 3:20, Revelation 19:9, Revelation 22:17.
» Why is it important for us to spend regular time alone with God?
» Why is it harder to be kind to others when we are down? In what ways does the sacrifice involved in being compassionate effect the quality and worth of our good works?
» In what areas have you seen Jesus multiply what little has been given to Him? Are there any "little" areas you hold back from Him? If so, what are they? Why do you think you might hold these things back?
