Trusting in God’s provision
Read Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus has withdrawn to a solitary place on hearing of John the Baptist’s death (Matthew 14:6-13), but the crowds follow him. Rather than sending them away, Jesus has compassion for them and heals their sick. Evening has come, it is late and they are in a remote place. The disciples suggest Jesus sends the crowds away to the villages to buy food.
- What is Jesus’ reply?
- How much food is available? (verse 17)
- How many people are fed?
All the people ate and were satisfied and twelve basketfuls of broken pieces were left over.
Read Luke 12:22-26
Jesus is not saying that we should not sow or reap or store food. Rather, we are called to be good stewards of all he has given us. He is saying that we should not worry about these things. God, our Father, knows our needs and will supply them. Jesus promises us: ‘But seek his kingdom (that is, the kingdom of God) and these things will be given to you as well.’
- Do we trust that God will supply our needs?
- Discuss times when this has proved difficult. How has our faith been challenged?
Security in God’s love
We can help people to face up to huge problems in their lives, without feeling insecure, by remembering that God is always in control. He wants the person we are helping to be totally free. Being honest about our own life and weaknesses can bring great freedom for someone else to be honest about their own life. Security in God’s love helps us to have the security to let others fail.
Read Matthew 19:16-23
- What would you have done in this situation?
- How do you respond to people who do not respond when you share your faith with them?
- Why do you think Jesus let the ‘rich young ruler’ walk away, instead of trying to persuade him to follow his teaching?
Jesus knew that God loved this man and would go on doing so. He had clearly stated the conditions and actions necessary to find life and love. He loved him enough to leave the choice to him. In our own strength, few of us would have the courage to act as freely as Jesus did in this situation. However, we can learn from this story. If we have tried, with God’s grace and love, to show someone the right way, then the choice must be theirs. We have to be prepared to let them go and to leave them to God’s ongoing love and justice.
Bearing fruit as Christians
Read Mark 11:12-14, 20-21
This story seems out of character for Jesus. He normally gave encouragement to others, so it seems surprising that he cursed this fig tree. The tree was covered in healthy leaves, which are usually produced at the same time as the flower buds from which figs later develop. The flower buds resemble the ripe fig in appearance. But Jesus found no flower buds or ripe fruits – only lots of leaves.
- Did Jesus curse the tree because he was tired or hungry?
Or did he have another reason for doing this?
- What was Jesus teaching about the need for us to bear fruit?
- What kind of fruit should we be bearing as Christians?
- What can give the appearance of a full Christian life – like the leaves – without actually producing any fruit?
- Who do you think Jesus was talking to here? His disciples, the crowd or the religious authorities?
This is a parable that provides us with a clear lesson on the need to ensure that our lives don’t just look good from the outside but are producing the kind of fruit that Jesus wants to see.
Living in obedience
Read Deuteronomy 28:1-14
These verses tell us that if we obey God and follow carefully all his commands, we will be blessed.
- What are all the blessings mentioned in these verses? Make a list.
Proverbs 3:9-10 also tells us that if we honour the Lord with our wealth and the first fruits of all our crops, then our barns will be full. However, the Bible also warns us that we will forfeit these blessings of his provision if we do not obey him.
Read Deuteronomy 28:15-24
We read here that if we do not obey God we will be cursed. He will send us confusion and troubles in everything we do, until we are destroyed. Choosing to obey or disobey God can have far-reaching consequences.
- Why do you think that whether or not we obey God can have such an impact on our lives?
- How can we know what God is telling us to do?
- Are we doing what is right?
Our Father, the gardener
Trees grow best and produce most fruit in full sunshine. Here we consider the care and teaching we need as Christians to produce plenty of fruit. This passage pictures God as a careful gardener.
Read John 15:1-8
Jesus longs for our lives to be fruitful for him.
- Are we growing in the full sunlight of God’s love?
- How do our lives compare to the growth of a vine or fruit tree?
- Are we firmly grafted into the vine so that its life can flow into us? Are we looking after our relationship to Jesus through study of God’s word, prayer and fellowship with his people?
- What kind of fruit are we bearing for God?
- Do we need God to prune any parts of our lives in order to bear more fruit for him?
In verse 5, Jesus tells us that we can do nothing apart from him. We can only bear fruit for him if we try to become like him and love God with all our hearts, souls, minds and strength. The key word here is ‘all’, not just ‘some’ or ‘most’. When we do this, our lives shine out with his love for others and we indeed bear much fruit.
See also
Hebrews 12:1 Run the race with perseverance
Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine
1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is
Acts 6:8-10 Stephen seized
John 15:7-8 If you remain in me