Finding Purpose: Jesus as Our Bread of Life
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound connection between Jesus as the Bread of Life and Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Over the past month, we've delved into how Jesus meets our fundamental needs, from physical sustenance to emotional security, relational connections, and self-worth. Today, we focused on the pinnacle of Maslow's hierarchy: self-actualization. This is the stage where, having met our basic needs, we seek to understand our purpose and live out our God-given potential.
We reflected on the challenging teachings of Jesus, particularly His call to love others as He loves us. This is not an easy task, especially when it involves loving those who are difficult to love. Yet, it is through this love that we truly live out our faith. We also revisited the covenant God made with His people, emphasizing that our response to God's grace should be a life lived in accordance with His commandments, serving as a testament to His love and kindness.
Joshua's declaration, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord," serves as a powerful reminder of the choices we must make daily. We must decide whether to follow the enticing but ultimately empty paths of the world or to commit ourselves to God's direction. This commitment is not just about avoiding wrong choices but actively choosing to align our lives with God's values and purposes.
In the Gospel of John, we see the disciples grappling with the difficulty of Jesus' teachings. When many turned away, Peter's response, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life," encapsulates the essence of our faith journey. Despite the challenges, we recognize that true life and purpose are found in Jesus alone.
Ultimately, Jesus calls us to a life of self-actualization, where our identity and purpose are rooted in Him. By embracing His teachings and allowing His life to shape ours, we become living expressions of Christ in the world, fulfilling our true potential and purpose.
### Key Takeaways
1. Jesus Meets Our Fundamental Needs: Just as Maslow's hierarchy begins with basic needs, Jesus starts by addressing our physical and emotional necessities. He fed the 5,000 without judgment, showing that meeting basic needs is essential for spiritual growth. This teaches us that compassion and provision are foundational to our faith. [36:48]
2. The Challenge of Loving Like Jesus: Understanding that God is love is simple, but living out that love, especially towards those who are difficult to love, is challenging. Jesus calls us to see the image of God in everyone, even those we find unlikable. This radical love is the true test of our discipleship. [39:38]
3. Renewing Our Covenant with God: Joshua's call to renew the covenant with God reminds us of the importance of recommitting to our faith. Just as married couples renew their vows, we must periodically renew our commitment to God, especially after seasons of struggle, to realign our lives with His promises and purposes. [42:48]
4. Choosing God's Path Over Worldly Allure: Joshua's declaration, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord," highlights the daily choice we must make to follow God. The world offers many enticing but empty paths. Our commitment to God requires us to actively choose His direction and values over those of the world. [46:19]
5. Self-Actualization in Christ: The final stage of Maslow's hierarchy, self-actualization, is about realizing our full potential. In Christ, this means discovering our true identity and purpose. Jesus wants us to be living expressions of His love and grace, fulfilling the unique purpose He has for each of us. [48:48]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[13:01] - New Member Milestone
[14:18] - Call for Volunteers
[19:41] - Stewardship Moment
[34:11] - Gospel Reading: John 6
[34:49] - Jesus' Difficult Teachings
[35:30] - Jesus as the Bread of Life
[36:17] - Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
[36:48] - Feeding the 5,000
[37:30] - Jesus as Our Shelter
[39:05] - The Challenge of Loving Like Jesus
[40:50] - Joshua's Covenant Renewal
[42:48] - Importance of Renewing Our Covenant
[46:19] - Choosing God's Path
[48:48] - Self-Actualization in Christ
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 6:53-69 - "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. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.' He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. On hearing it, many of his disciples said, 'This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?' Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, 'Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.' For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, 'This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.' From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 'You do not want to leave too, do you?' Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.'"
2. Joshua 24:14-15 - "Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
#### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus mean when He said, "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life"? (John 6:54)
2. How did the disciples react to Jesus' teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood? (John 6:60-66)
3. What choice does Joshua present to the Israelites in Joshua 24:14-15?
4. How does Peter respond to Jesus when asked if the Twelve also want to leave? (John 6:68-69)
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus' teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood was so difficult for many of His disciples to accept? (John 6:60-61)
2. What does Joshua's declaration, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord," signify about his commitment and leadership? (Joshua 24:15)
3. How does Peter's response, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life," reflect the essence of the disciples' faith journey? (John 6:68-69)
4. In what ways does the concept of self-actualization in Christ differ from the secular understanding of self-actualization? (John 6:63-65, [48:48])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you found Jesus' teachings challenging. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([39:05])
2. Joshua called the Israelites to renew their covenant with God. How can you renew your commitment to God in your daily life? ([42:48])
3. Peter recognized that Jesus had the words of eternal life. How can you seek and hold onto Jesus' words in your everyday decisions and challenges? ([46:49])
4. Jesus calls us to love others as He loves us, even those who are difficult to love. Identify someone in your life who is hard to love. What practical steps can you take to show them Christ-like love this week? ([39:38])
5. Joshua made a clear choice to serve the Lord. What are some "gods" or distractions in your life that you need to set aside to fully commit to serving God? ([46:19])
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of seeing our self-worth through Jesus' eyes. How can you remind yourself of your worth in Christ when the world devalues you? ([37:30])
7. Jesus wants us to be living expressions of His love and grace. What specific actions can you take this week to be a living expression of Christ in your community? ([48:48])
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Meets Our Fundamental Needs
Jesus begins by addressing our physical and emotional necessities, just as Maslow's hierarchy starts with basic needs. He fed the 5,000 without judgment, demonstrating that meeting basic needs is essential for spiritual growth. This act of compassion and provision is foundational to our faith. By ensuring that our basic needs are met, Jesus sets the stage for deeper spiritual development. This teaches us that we must also be attentive to the needs of others, providing support and care as an expression of our faith. [36:48]
Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV): "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Reflection: Think of a time when you were in need and someone helped you. How can you extend that same compassion to someone in need today?
Day 2: The Challenge of Loving Like Jesus
Understanding that God is love is simple, but living out that love, especially towards those who are difficult to love, is challenging. Jesus calls us to see the image of God in everyone, even those we find unlikable. This radical love is the true test of our discipleship. It requires us to go beyond our comfort zones and extend grace and kindness to all, reflecting the unconditional love that Jesus has for us. This is a daily challenge that requires intentionality and reliance on God's strength. [39:38]
1 John 4:20-21 (ESV): "If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother."
Reflection: Identify someone in your life who is difficult to love. What practical steps can you take today to show them the love of Christ?
Day 3: Renewing Our Covenant with God
Joshua's call to renew the covenant with God reminds us of the importance of recommitting to our faith. Just as married couples renew their vows, we must periodically renew our commitment to God, especially after seasons of struggle, to realign our lives with His promises and purposes. This renewal is a conscious decision to follow God's path and live according to His will. It is an opportunity to reflect on our spiritual journey and make necessary adjustments to stay aligned with God's plan for our lives. [42:48]
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV): "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
Reflection: Reflect on your spiritual journey. What areas of your life need realignment with God's promises and purposes? How can you renew your commitment to God today?
Day 4: Choosing God's Path Over Worldly Allure
Joshua's declaration, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord," highlights the daily choice we must make to follow God. The world offers many enticing but empty paths. Our commitment to God requires us to actively choose His direction and values over those of the world. This involves making conscious decisions that reflect our faith and trust in God's plan, even when it goes against societal norms or personal desires. It is a commitment to live a life that honors God in all aspects. [46:19]
James 4:4 (ESV): "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
Reflection: What worldly allurements are you struggling with today? How can you actively choose God's path in your daily decisions?
Day 5: Self-Actualization in Christ
The final stage of Maslow's hierarchy, self-actualization, is about realizing our full potential. In Christ, this means discovering our true identity and purpose. Jesus wants us to be living expressions of His love and grace, fulfilling the unique purpose He has for each of us. By embracing His teachings and allowing His life to shape ours, we become living expressions of Christ in the world, fulfilling our true potential and purpose. This is the ultimate goal of our spiritual journey, to live a life that reflects Christ's love and grace. [48:48]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: What unique gifts and talents has God given you? How can you use them to fulfill your purpose in Christ and serve others today?
Quotes
1. "Each month, whether you know it or not, at the end of the month, we've been trying to have a stewardship moment, just highlighting our generosity here at Living Word and what God can do through our generosity. And Rafi helped put a video together, an interview of, you may or may not know, but our generosity helped a Ukrainian family become a part of our congregation, Svetlana and Zaryana. Their family are a part of our congregation because of your generosity." [19:41] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What I have come to understand about the Christian faith, especially for me, I'm just speaking for me, is for me, it's kind of simple to understand it. It's really difficult to live it. Like I can understand, not fully obviously, but when I hear a phrase like from the Scriptures that God is love. That seems very concrete for me, although that's a mystery too, right? But God is love. But then when I'm asked to love my neighbor, as myself, to love like Jesus, to love those both that I like and don't like, those that have maybe not been so kind to me and those have been kind to me, to love my neighbor as myself, well that's where it gets difficult." [39:05] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Joshua says to the people of God, now if you're unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day. Choose this day who you're going to serve, whether the gods of your ancestors that served in the region beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose lands you are living. But as for me, Joshua says, as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." [40:50] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God didn't say, hey, if you will live out these Ten Commandments, then maybe, if I think you've done them well enough, I'll free you from slavery. God didn't do that. God said, I've already done it all for you. This is the way you get to live. And that's what the Ten Commandments are all about. Not only that, the Ten Commandments are, not only do you get to live this way, but I need you to live this way. And here's why. Because the nations that you're going to come in contact with, the other people who don't know me, they're going to come to know me through you and how you're living." [41:49] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I know in my life as a parent, as an adult, I know I've got an image, whether it's put upon me by all the choices around me, or just put upon myself, that I need to be a certain place at a certain time in my life. And my kid needs to be a certain place at a certain time in their life. And so I, we got involved in certain things. Again, not bad things, but we discovered more and more, the more we were down the road, we wondered how we had gotten ourselves into that. We had said yes to so many things, and we wondered if those things we had said yes to really matched the values that God had given us as a family." [45:49] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Simon Peter answers Jesus when Jesus says, are you also the twelve disciples? Are you also going to go away? Are you also going to go away? Is this teaching too difficult for you? And Simon Peter answers Jesus, Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. You have the words of eternal life." [46:49] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "I like to think they were so desperate because they knew how much they needed that meal. Because they knew in that meal was the living bread from heaven. They knew in that meal they would find life. The words of eternal life. Where else could they go? Where else could the disciples go? Where else can we go? For Jesus has the words of eternal life for us." [48:18] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The last part of the pyramid on Maslow's hierarchy of needs is self-axialization. You're comfortable in your identity and your purpose in your life. And that's what Jesus wants for us. The world shapes us in all kinds of ways. Jesus wants his life to form our life. And in that for us to discover who we truly are. Who we truly are meant to be, created to be. Living expressions of Christ in the world." [48:48] (39 seconds)
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