Week 5, July 22nd

Week 5  -   Wednesday,  July 22

Say a prayer before your meal. Then read aloud the background introduction and text, followed by one or more of the discussion questions.

Introduction: The “hard saying” that offends Jesus’ disciples is his claim that his followers must eat his flesh and drink his blood, knowing how odd this sounds. Peter, on the other hand, knows something about the scarcity of living, gracious words.

John 6: 63, 66-68

”It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” 

1. Why might some of the disciples turn away from Jesus?  You may wish to explore the text just prior to this reading (John 6:52-58, also see last week’s reading). 

*2. Peter says to Jesus, "Lord, to whom can we go?"  Who can you turn to for help?

3.  The text, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." is used in our weekly liturgy (setting one, pg. 102) just prior to the reading of the Gospel.  Why do you think the authors of our liturgy chose to use this biblical quote at that moment in worship? 

4. Peter gives Jesus the title, "The Holy One of God."  Why?  What does this title indicate about who Jesus is?

*indicates questions that might be suitable for younger children