YEAH! Church - Sunday, March 14, 2021"Easter—the Greatest Event in History! – During the three years before the first Easter, Jesus spent his time teaching people, healing people and doing other miracles. His popularity grew and crowds started following him wherever he went. He had trouble finding time to himself! Today’s Lesson - “Crowds Followed Jesus” Video Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6rj9cAJrWE (Saddleback – Jesus Feeds 5000+) Lesson Overview: Matthew 14:1-21 - As word spread about all the things Jesus was doing, it became difficult for him to find time to himself. He still wanted time to pray and be alone with God, as well as to be able to teach his disciples without a large crowd always around. One day, Jesus got some really bad news; his cousin, John the Baptist, had been killed by Herod! Jesus got in a boat with his disciples and headed out away from the crowds; no wonder he wanted a little time away from people. But when the boat was nearing the shore, they could see that a crowd had already begun to form. Instead of directing the disciples to turn the boat around and look for a new landing spot, Jesus felt compassion for these people. After they brought the boat to shore, Jesus spent his time healing many people and teaching them…the whole day. As evening approached, Jesus knew that the people would be getting hungry. But how many of them had come prepared with a picnic lunch? Jesus asked his disciples if there was any food and a little boy offered up his lunch to Jesus—five small loaves of bread and two small fish. Jesus told his disciples to have everyone find a spot to sit, he gave thanks for the food, then gave it to his disciples to pass out. This must have seemed really crazy to the disciples—one boy’s lunch to be shared by over 5000 people? But they did it…and Jesus performed another miracle. The food just kept multiplying and when everyone had eaten all they wanted, there were 12 baskets of leftovers! No wonder Jesus was popular and the crowds followed him. Engage: • Just like you and me, sometimes Jesus needed some down time. Why did it get hard for him to find time for himself and his disciples? • Jesus was compassionate—he knew that many people were suffering and he wanted to help. How did he help others? • Not everyone believed that Jesus was the Messiah, God’s promised rescuer, but even doubters spent time in the crowd that followed Jesus. Why might people who didn’t believe in Jesus follow him? Theme verses: Could you learn these nine verses over the next six weeks? John 15:9-17 - “9 I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.” Prayer - Thank you, God, for showing us how much Jesus cared for people. You want us to be compassionate, just like Jesus was. Show us how we can care for others and help them. ~ Pastor Jane
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