⁵ When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” ⁶ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
 
Another teaching method we see Jesus use is asking questions. When He was with His disciples He knew He was going to provide bread in a miraculous way, but He introduces the extent of His miracle pointing it out with a question, There was no way the bread could be bought because there was no place to buy it and the quantity would be so great no bakery could provide bread for thousands.
 
If we take this story as recorded in all four Gospels, we get a little more detail from each writer. Mark tells us, after a full and active day, they set aside to be by themselves when the large group came. He had compassion on them and taught them through lecture and storytelling. That is the most common way of teaching - lecturing and stories. The people sit and listen to truths explained.
 
Another method illustrated in the story is how Jesus used questions and answers. This was a discussion method. He interacted with people so they would think. He didn’t always expect an answer, but uniquely asked questions to bring out a point. He wasn’t interested, for instance, in knowing where to look for food for the 5,000 people. He always knew what He was going to do, but He wanted to see if His lecture was  going to be applied when they were in real different life circumstances. This was a test.  
           
Jesus also involved the disciples in learning by listening, watching, and doing. The best learning for some is by action. In another Gospel rendering, it says Jesus sent them out to see what they could find among the people. Andrew found this boy with a lunch. Now the disciples have their curiosity aroused. Those most teachable desire to have answers to their questions. They will discover more because they are involved. Why is Jesus taking a boy’s lunch? Why is He sending the disciples out to find food among the people? What is He going to do? It is a creative teacher that can arouse curiosity for learning.
 
This is the setting for a faith lesson. If you are the kind of person who has to know how everything’s going to turn out ahead of time before you get involved, you will never know the joy of living by faith. You’ll never know the excitement of what it’s like to completely depend on God. You will not learn the importance of complete trust. Jesus takes these practical objects, a boy, two fish and five barley loaves. These objects also become object lessons for teaching. Here are things to look at, to touch, to feel, and one realizes there is a deeper significance for a different lesson. Visuals enhance learning.
 
Why do I put sermon notes in the bulletin? To help some people focus on some truths I don’t want them to miss. Why do I put the answers on the overheads? To help, not just have a lecture, but direct our thinking together. Why do I use alliterations that usually start with the same letter or sound? It is my feeble attempt to help people get the point. It helps to have objects impress the lessons upon their minds. Jesus passed out bread and wine as symbols for us to feel, taste and participate in and to bring the reality of His death for our sins in a personal way.
           
Jesus is also teaching by demonstrating His power through the miracle of the multiplication of the food. Demonstration with involvement is the best way to understand. He is using all five senses to convey spiritual truths- hearing, seeing, smelling, feeling, and tasting,
 
There is a proverb: Tell me and I hear. Show me and I see; Involve me and I understand.
 
Dale