Good News | Week One

Opening 

Have you ever found yourself at the end of your own strength, only to experience God’s provision in an unexpected way? How did that moment shape your view of dependence — on God, and on others? 

Overview 

Scriptures: Exodus 16:11–12 & John 6:53–69 

From the wilderness to the words of Jesus, we see that God’s provision consistently confronts our self-sufficiency. In Exodus, God responds to Israel’s complaints with manna — temporary bread from heaven — a sign that He alone sustains. 

Jesus then builds on this image, declaring that He is the true bread from heaven. In John 6, He makes a bold claim: unless we eat His flesh and drink His blood, we have no life in us. It’s a radical invitation — not just to believe in Him, but to wholly depend on Him for eternal sustenance. 

Main Idea 

The Gospel challenges our instinct to be self-sufficient. The things we often rely on to fulfill us — pride, fear, control, success, or even good plans are only temporary and offer momentary fulfillment.  

What Jesus offers is Himself. He is the true source of life — not just for the moment, but for eternity. His love and mercy have no limitations. While many found His teaching in John 6 difficult to accept, the invitation still stands: to trust Jesus fully, to receive what only He can give, and to surrender our independence in exchange for true life. Through communion, we remember His body broken and His blood poured out — a lasting reminder of His sacrificial love and the life we now have in Him. 

Discussion Questions 

Closing 

God, we confess that we often try to do life on our own. Help us recognize where we’ve been relying on pride, fear, or control. Teach us what it means to depend on You — not just in crisis, but daily.