A Visual Bible study: In Possession of a Starter(Part 1)

Five Loaves of Bread and Two Fishes
(Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Lk 9:10-16, John 6:1-14)

POUR: Provision for our basket

Introduction

I dived into the living stream of God’s word and caught a fish!When Holy Spirit gave me the word POUR , it was exciting and made me super nosy!Then I came across the outskirts of Bethsaida and found a little boy with an extra fish and 5 loaves!

What makes the story of the 5 loaves of bread and two fishes so amazing, is that it is a true story and not one of Jesus’ parables.Can you imagine this groundbreaking innovation in the middle of nowhere: A miracle indeed!

Feeding the multitudes

I don’t think that even today’s street restaurants or modern hotels can feed such a multitude!What is more, these people were not looking for something quick and light, they were dining at the spot, travelled a quite a distance to find the perfect ~~place~~…person...it was all about the shef!

There is so much scenery in this passage that I could not help to do a visual bible study. This is my one of my first prayer journaling experiences.I found it when I was just reading Psalm 1.You can read about it here.I also included a few drawings(I am still working on my drawing skills!) just for you to see how I do my visual bible studies.

How I was led into this study?

I received a prophetic word: POUR and it developed as a theme for this month.It started with the prophetic boards followed by the kneading bowl where the word STARTER stemmed from.

The order in which I engaged into this visual study:

A prophetic word
Prophetic vision boards
Engagement with scripture
Revelation
Research and reading
Application

How I usely engage with visual bible study:

Scripture
Pray for insight and revelation
Read and meditate on scripture
Research about people, places, times, numbers, etc.
Drawing doodles and phrases
Revelation
Application

Can you see the difference?One should discern and be sensitive to the guidance of Holy Spirit and not just follow routine.

Feeding the multitudes

Topic: The secret of multiplication lies in the starter

1.The return from the mission

Keep in mind that the disciples were just returning from a mission and have been told to take nothing with them.This could have made them use to the fact that they have nothing , let alone provide to others.Imagine the effect of these instructions and the impact it might had on them.They had to travel light and had no choice but to trust God for everything.Just like God provided for Elijah in the middle of nowhere, he expected them to rely on people’s kindness.

The disciples received specific instructions to complete this assignment:

“He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.
Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town.
If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”
Luke 9:3-5

When God expects us to fulfill a certain assignment, He WILL give us SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS.

Any assignment is accompanied by instructions and these instructions must be clearly outlined.

2.Shifting

The next part I call the shifting.Ater their return from the mission and reporting to Jesus about a successful mission, Jesus took them to Bethsaida; and withdrew to a remote area.

Bethsaida
MEANING :HOUSE 

Place of hunting 

Place of fishing

Place of Enlargement

Place of miracles

Then a large crowd of men, women and children who was searching for Jesus everywhere, found Him.Jesus had no choice to welcome them, because the anointing on Him attracted the people.He knew His assignment and instructions!

3.Confrontation: Lack

And it became late! They were in a remote area were challenge by Jesus to give the crowd something to eat.Really?How can He ask them to provide when they had to lean on the kindness of others and were just returning from mission? I wish I could have heard their responses for myself!Then, if only I could hear myself sometimes!

Their reply in response to Jesus’ question :

“We have only five loaves of bread and two fishes…”

Rephrased: We only have You , Lord.

What are our responses when God expects us to provide to others in the midst of lack?

Lack is also a stronghold in the mind , a wall that’s been put up to block out the provision of heaven.It was all about their mindset and Jesus expanding their view on the Father’s provision.A call for repentance! The Holy Spirit wants to expand our view on God’s provision!

Our responses reveal our mindset and faith

Amongst the crowd , they found the lunchbox of a boy, not knowing it was the starter that was preserved for this miracle and to pull down strongholds of lack in their minds and to provide to a multitude.All along they had the starter with them:Jesus.

What is in your basket makes you stand out from the crowd.

Take note of the biblical watch!

“Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging,…”
Luke 9:12

It was late; about the first nightwatch( between 6 pm – 9 pm) and the twelve ( disciples) came to Jesus with a request:”Send them away to find food…”;

a time to pray for provision for your own household and for others.

A time to pray for miracles to occur

A time to pray for corporate provision

A time to ask for supernatural breakthrough

A time to request

A time for renewing your covenant with God

A time to entrust your seed efforts to Him and ask Him to bless your basket and kneading bowl.

Application: Prayer points

Repent of any unbelief or any other stronghold the Holy Spirit reveals to you.

Repent of any disobedience

Ask Him for providing to you , your family and to the people in your radar according to all spiritual blessings in Christ.

An awareness of kingdom assignments and your own assignment.

Ask for specific instructions

Discernment to hear and understand the instructions of Holy Spirit.

Thank God for a kneading bowl ( seed efforts) and declare it blessed.

To experience the fulness of Christ in our lives, communities , etc.

Then follow-up with powerful declarations and pray in the spirit in all occasions.

Visual learners will obviously be drawn to this method of bible study.Don’t stress about your drawing skills!What counts is the engagement in the word of God and the stretching of your skills and knowlegde.

Visual bible studies have always been a great blessing to me and I hope to you too.Try it and see what you’ll find!