Feeding the Multitudes
Hochhalter, Cara B.. Feeding the Multitudes, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=57553 [retrieved August 4, 2023]. Original source: Cara B. Hochhalter.
Imaging the Word An Arts and Lectionary Resource, Volume 2
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Spiritual Practices: Questions Only
One way of studying and reflecting on Scripture is through the use of questions. Questions are good because they invite us deeper; they invite us to think, to wonder, to explore, and to experiment. The purpose of asking questions is not always to find answers. Instead, they open us up to new ways to experience the wonder and majesty of God. To learn more about using questions to explore and encounter God, click here.
As you read this passage, look for questions that may arise. Don’t look for quick answers. Instead, sit with and ponder the questions. Here are a few to get you started.
Starting Questions
One way of studying and reflecting on Scripture is through the use of questions. Questions are good because they invite us deeper; they invite us to think, to wonder, to explore, and to experiment. The purpose of asking questions is not always to find answers. Instead, they open us up to new ways to experience the wonder and majesty of God. To learn more about using questions to explore and encounter God, click here.
As you read this passage, look for questions that may arise. Don’t look for quick answers. Instead, sit with and ponder the questions. Here are a few to get you started.
Starting Questions
- Why did Jesus find it necessary to withdraw by himself to a quiet place? What did he hope to gain?
- What was Jesus' response to the crowd?
- How did the disciples plan for the crowd to be fed?
- Jesus had a different plan for feeding the crowd than the disciples did. Does Jesus often had different ways to address the challenges in our lives than we do?
- What if Jesus had the disciples set the crowds in order because they needed to prepare for the miracle he was about to perform?
- What if the bread and the fish didn't begin to multiply until the disciples began handing it out? What would that teach us?
- This is the only miracle beside the resurrection to appear in all four gospels. Why did the Holy Spirit think it was important enough to have all four gospel writers include it?