Seeking the Eternal: True Worship and Discipleship

Today, we gathered as a family—children, youth, and adults—to celebrate the goodness of God and to intentionally enter His presence through worship and the Word. Our time together was marked by joy, gratitude, and a sense of unity, as we recognized the blessings God has poured out on our church, especially through our children and those who serve so faithfully behind the scenes. We were reminded that worship is not just about singing songs, but about coming purposefully before the Lord, lifting our hearts in our own language, and acknowledging His worthiness.

Turning to John 6, we reflected on the miracle of Jesus feeding the multitude—a moment that revealed not only His compassion but also His desire to point us beyond our immediate needs. The crowd sought Jesus because He had filled their stomachs, but He challenged them, and us, to seek what is eternal: the true bread of life that only He can give. Jesus’ words, “I am the bread of life,” invite us to a deeper hunger, not for perishable things, but for the life that only He can satisfy. He calls us to believe, to come to Him, and to trust that He will never reject those who earnestly seek Him.

We also considered the seriousness with which Jesus spoke about following Him. His teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood was not meant to be taken literally, but as a call to wholehearted commitment—a call that has challenged and even offended many throughout history. Yet, the invitation remains: to take Jesus seriously, to let His words and His Spirit give us true life, and to approach Him with reverence and gratitude.

As we prepared our hearts for communion, we were encouraged to examine ourselves, to confess anything that stands between us and God, and to receive the healing and grace that flow from Christ’s sacrifice. Communion is not just a ritual, but a moment to anchor our lives in the love and salvation Jesus offers. In this spirit of unity and thanksgiving, we concluded by offering heartfelt praise and preparing to share a meal together, celebrating the fellowship and provision God has given us.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. True worship is intentional and personal. It’s not about performance or routine, but about coming purposefully into God’s presence, lifting our hearts in our own language, and acknowledging His worthiness. Worship is the posture of a heart that recognizes God’s goodness and responds with gratitude and praise. [09:40]
• 2. Jesus challenges us to seek what is eternal, not just what is immediate or perishable. The crowd followed Him for bread, but He pointed them to the bread of life—Himself. Our deepest needs are not met by temporary solutions, but by the eternal life and satisfaction that only Jesus can provide. [25:43]
• 3. The miracle of the loaves and fishes is a picture of God’s ability to multiply what we surrender to Him, no matter how small. When we offer what we have, even if it seems insignificant, God can use it to bless many and reveal His glory. Our role is to trust Him with what we have and to give thanks in every circumstance. [33:26]
• 4. Jesus’ call to “eat His flesh and drink His blood” is a call to wholehearted, serious discipleship. It’s not about literal actions, but about embracing Him fully—letting His life become our life, and His sacrifice shape our identity. This call has always been challenging, but it is the path to true spiritual life and intimacy with God. [43:50]
• 5. Communion is a sacred moment to examine our hearts, receive God’s forgiveness, and experience His healing. It’s a time to anchor our lives in Christ’s love, to confess anything that separates us from Him, and to receive the grace and restoration He offers. In unity, we remember that our eternity is secured by His sacrifice, and we respond with thanksgiving. [49:00]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:00] - Kids’ Coin Collection
• [04:30] - Worship in Our Own Language
• [09:40] - Entering God’s Presence
• [13:00] - Gratitude for Volunteers and Tech Team
• [21:02] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
• [24:18] - Reading from John 6
• [25:43] - Jesus, the Bread of Life
• [29:08] - The Challenge of Jesus’ Words
• [33:26] - The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes
• [39:04] - Understanding Jesus’ Teaching
• [43:50] - The Seriousness of Discipleship
• [47:29] - Preparing for Communion
• [49:00] - Communion, Healing, and Self-Examination
• [52:03] - Thanksgiving and Closing Instructions
• [54:33] - Fellowship Meal and Dismissal

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Jesus, the Bread of Life”

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### Bible Reading

John 6:22-40 (ESV)
> 22 On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone.
> 23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.
> 24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.
> 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”
> 26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.
> 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”
> 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?”
> 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
> 30 So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform?
> 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”
> 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
> 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
> 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
> 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
> 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.
> 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
> 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.
> 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.
> 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

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### Observation Questions

1. What reasons does Jesus give for why the crowd was seeking Him after the miracle of the loaves and fishes? (John 6:26) [25:43]
2. According to Jesus, what is the “work of God” that people should focus on? (John 6:29) [25:43]
3. How does Jesus describe Himself in verse 35, and what does He promise to those who come to Him? (John 6:35) [25:43]
4. In the sermon, what was said about the meaning of Jesus’ words “eat my flesh and drink my blood”? [43:50]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus challenged the crowd’s motives for following Him, instead of just being glad they were there? What does this reveal about what He wants from His followers? [25:43]
2. When Jesus says, “I am the bread of life,” what does He mean about the kind of hunger and thirst He satisfies? How is this different from physical needs? [25:43]
3. The sermon mentioned that Jesus’ teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood was hard for many to accept. Why do you think Jesus used such strong language, and what does it say about the seriousness of following Him? [43:50]
4. How does the miracle of the loaves and fishes show God’s ability to use what we offer, even if it seems small? What does this teach us about surrender and trust? [33:26]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon said that true worship is intentional and personal, not just a routine. What is one way you can make your worship more intentional this week, either at church or at home? [09:40]
2. Jesus challenged the crowd to seek what is eternal, not just what is immediate. Are there areas in your life where you are focused more on temporary needs than on what lasts forever? What would it look like to shift your focus? [25:43]
3. The miracle of the loaves and fishes shows God can multiply what we surrender to Him. Is there something in your life—time, talent, resources—that feels small, but you sense God asking you to offer it? What step could you take to surrender it to Him? [33:26]
4. Jesus’ call to “eat His flesh and drink His blood” is about wholehearted commitment. Are there areas where you are holding back from fully following Jesus? What would it look like to take Him more seriously in that area? [43:50]
5. Before communion, the sermon encouraged everyone to examine their hearts and confess anything standing between them and God. Is there something you need to bring before God for forgiveness or healing? How can you make space for honest self-examination this week? [49:00]
6. The church celebrated unity and gratitude, especially for those who serve behind the scenes. Is there someone in your church or life you can thank or encourage this week for their faithfulness? How will you do it? [09:40]
7. Communion is a time to anchor our lives in Christ’s love and remember His sacrifice. How can you remind yourself daily of Jesus’ love and what He has done for you, not just during communion but throughout your week? [49:00]

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Close in prayer, asking God to help you seek what is eternal, to worship Him with your whole heart, and to trust Him with all you have.