Weekly Bible Study | July 28 & 29, 2026

Axe Bible Study / Matthew 14:13–21 / “Is there enough?”

As we continue to explore “The Upside-Down Kingdom” we turn this week to the account of the feeding of the 5000 in Matthew 14:13-21, which helps us understand that in God’s kingdom, abundance begins not with having more, but with trusting Christ with what we already have.

ZOOM Session

Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

IN PERSON Session

Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 1:00 pm-2:00 pm, Conference Room, McGee Building.

Zoom Link

Meeting ID: 626 688 7263

Passcode: DEVOTIONAL

Opening Prayer

Gracious God, too often we focus on what we lack instead of the abundance you have already placed among us. Open our eyes to your generosity, our hearts to your compassion, and our hands to share freely. Teach us to trust that when we place our gifts in your hands, you can accomplish far more than we imagine. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture

As you read/listen, notice: What surprises you? Which person in the story do you most identify with? What emotions do you hear in the passage?

Matthew 14:13–21

¹³Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. ¹⁵When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” ¹⁶Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” ¹⁷They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” ¹⁸And he said, “Bring them here to me.” ¹⁹Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. ²⁰And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. ²¹And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Some context for the passage

This miracle comes immediately after Jesus learns of John the Baptist’s execution. Jesus seeks solitude to grieve, but the crowds follow him. Instead of turning them away, Jesus responds with compassion. As evening approaches, the disciples become anxious. They see only five loaves and two fish. Jesus sees an opportunity for God’s abundance to be revealed. Whether one understands the miracle as a supernatural multiplication of food, an awakening of radical generosity among the crowd, or both, Matthew’s central message is clear: In the presence of Jesus, scarcity does not have the final word.

Discussion Questions

1. V. 14 reads,“He had compassion for them and cured their sick.” Before feeding the crowd, Jesus notices their suffering.

Why is compassion the starting point for this miracle?

How do compassion and generosity go together?

When have you experienced compassion that made a lasting difference?

2. In v. 15, the disciples say: “Send the crowds away.” Jesus says: “You give them something to eat.” It appears as if the disciples see a problem, yet Jesus sees an opportunity.

What differences do you notice between Jesus’ perspective and the disciples’?

What situations in today’s world tempt us to think there isn’t enough?

How might Jesus invite us to see those situations differently?

3. Jesus seeks to know what they have. The disciples offer 5 loves, and 2 fish. It doesn’t seem like much, yet Jesus begins there.

Why do we often focus on what we don’t have instead of what we do?

What gifts has God already placed in your life?

What gifts has God placed within this congregation?

4. In verse in v 19,Jesus takes the bread and before anything changes, he gives thanks – breaks it – blesses it – and gives it.

Why is gratitude so important?

How does gratitude change the way we view our circumstances?

What practices help you cultivate gratitude?

5. Matthew emphasizes that everyone was fed. No one was excluded. No one received less because someone else received more.

What does this tell us about God’s vision of community?

How does this challenge our culture’s assumptions about competition and scarcity?

How can churches reflect God’s abundance rather than society’s fear?

6. One way to read this story is as a miracle of multiplication. Another is as a miracle of transformation—a crowd inspired by Jesus’ generosity begins sharing what they had been holding onto. These perspectives are not necessarily opposed. In either case, the outcome is the same: God’s abundance becomes visible through Jesus.

What is the deeper message Matthew wants us to hear?

Why do you think Christians sometimes become preoccupied with how the miracle happened instead of why Jesus performed it?

What does this story reveal about the character of God?

7. John Wesley believed that Christian faith always expresses itself through acts of mercy. He encouraged Methodists to feed the hungry, visit the sick, care for prisoners, educate children, and respond to human needs with practical compassion. For Wesley, grace was never merely something we received—it was something we shared.

How does this story reflect Wesley’s understanding of faith in action?

Where is Christ asking our congregation to “give them something to eat” today?

How might generosity become a spiritual discipline?

A Spiritual Practice

Part 1

This week, pay attention to moments when you find yourself thinking: “There isn’t enough.” Then pause and ask instead: “What has God already placed in my hands?”

It may be:

• Time
• Encouragement
• Hospitality
• Listening
• Wisdom
• Money
• Prayer
• Skills
• Compassion

Choose one gift to intentionally share this week.

Part 2

Each evening this week, reflect on three questions:

1. Where did I experience God’s abundance today?

2. What did I freely give today?

3. Where did I notice someone else’s generosity?

Keep a journal of your responses. By the end of the week, notice whether your perspective has shifted from scarcity toward gratitude, as you complete this sentence: “This week, I discovered ‘enough’ when…”

Closing Prayer

Generous God, thank you for reminding us that your kingdom is built not upon fear but upon trust, not upon scarcity but upon abundance. Help us to recognize the gifts you have already placed in our lives. Give us courage to offer them freely, believing that in your hands even the smallest acts of love can nourish many. Make us a community that welcomes the hungry, comforts the weary, and shares generously with all who are in need. As we go from this place, may we become living signs of your upside-down kingdom, where compassion overcomes fear and there is always enough because your love is enough. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.