John 6:60-61, 66

6:60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” ⁶¹ But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? … ⁶⁶ After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.”

1. What is wonderful about Palm Sunday? What’s awful about it? What’s ironic about it? (Read Luke 19:28-44 carefully.)
2. Consider the reaction of the crowd (and even the disciples) to Jesus’ ‘Bread of Life’ sermon (John 6:25-58). Consider it in light of 2 Timothy 4:1-4. How is their reaction similar to people in our own day, even some professing believers?
3. As a whole, why did the people reject Jesus and His message? List as many reasons as you can think of.
4. 2 Corinthians 11:4 speaks of “another Jesus,” a “different spirit,” and a “different gospel.” What does Paul mean by these? Are any of these counterfeits around today? Give examples for each.
5. At the end of Jesus’ sermon, MANY of His DISCIPLES asked, “Who can listen to it?” What did they find so offensive about it? I can think of six possibilities. How about you?
6. In this Sunday’s sermon, I’ll say, “They weren’t big on this intense Jesus. They wanted Jesus Lite.” What do you think I mean by this? Do you agree? Do people want the same today?
7. The disciples asked an interesting question in 6:60b, “Who is able to accept it?” Well, who is able to accept Jesus’ “hard” words? What’s Jesus’ answer in 6:64-65?
8. In 6:66, MANY “disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.” I call this the GDD: The Great Disciple Defection. But it’s certainly not the last time MANY will defect. How many ‘MANYs’ can you find in Matthew 24:3-12?
9. Many of these defecting disciples had witnessed the miracle-working power of Jesus firsthand, yet they still left Him. What can we learn from this about salvation? Faith? Discipleship? The extent of the fallen nature? Why do some stay (see 6:67-69)?
10. Can you find Jesus’ 3 metaphorical ‘I AMs’ in this sermon?