Initiate

A video introduction using illustrations, personal stories, metaphors, or active learning examples to begin the discussion.

Interact

After the video, prompts are supplied for thinking and sharing with others personal perception and experience. This opening activity prompts participants to think about and relate to the topic, and to share with others. 

Which of these effects do you notice happening most in your own life? 

How do small changes in your attitude or actions lead to big changes in your life?

Snowball Effect: Small actions can grow and lead to bigger results over time, just like a snowball gets bigger as it rolls down a hill.

Butterfly Effect: A tiny action in a complex system can cause huge changes somewhere else, similar to how a butterfly flapping its wings can lead to a storm.

Synergy Effect: When two or more things work together, they can create a bigger impact than if they were working alone.

Domino Effect: One event can trigger a series of related events, like knocking over a line of dominoes.

Ripple Effect: A single action can cause wider consequences, like a stone thrown in water creating ripples that spread out.

Insight

The Bible discussion begins with a careful reading of the whole passage, either from your own Bibles, or from the provided images below.

Then participants are to ask:

1. What is going on in this passage of Scripture?
2. What are the key words and phrases? Highlight them.
3. Why do you think this passage is included in the Bible?
4. What does it contribute to our “knowing Christ” and “living in Christ”?

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand

During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”

4 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”

5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied.

6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Download PDF of  Mark 8:1-8

In Mark 8:1-8, we see Jesus' compassion as He addresses the needs of the hungry crowd. Despite the apparent scarcity of resources (only seven loaves and a few fish), Jesus transforms this into abundance by meeting everyone's needs. The cause-and-effect concepts illustrate how kindness or generosity can lead to unexpected, larger outcomes.  

Jesus instills in His disciples the faith in His ability to provide for the crowd, despite their doubts about the limited resources. The story of the widow's offering (Mark 12:41-44) serves as a powerful reminder of the potential of small contributions. It makes us wonder what could happen if we all started expecting greater things from simple acts of kindness. This realization empowers us and motivates us to do more.

In Exodus 4:2, God asks Moses, "What is in your hand?" Consider whether we overlook small actions because they seem insignificant. Also, read Galatians 6:7-10 and explore how simply sowing good deeds cultivates a harvest of goodness for "all."

It's crucial to recognize the power of small acts of kindness and the importance of utilizing what we already have to create meaningful change. This awareness enlightens us and guides us toward spiritual growth and community service.