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Disciple: Philip

 {Disciples} PHILIP_ 

Learning to trust 

 
If we want to understand the disciple named Philip, we need to start with his name. 
Though Philip grew up in a Jewish home, he had a distinctly non-Jewish name. ‘Philip’ is a Greek name that means “lover of horses”. 
Some scholars have suggested that he was named after Herod the Great’s son; Herod Philip II, who ruled an area northeast of the Sea of Galilee. It could be that Philip grew up in a home that was more open to non-Jewish friends than the typical Jewish home. 

His name may have been why some Greeks, who wanted to meet Jesus, came to Philip (John 12:20-22). They must have thought that Philip would be more open to their request. Philip wasn’t in Jesus’ inner circle, but in every New Testament list of the Twelve, Philip listed fifth. He was not a leader in the company of the disciples, but he was an important member of the team... 

 
[Group discussion starter] Do you feel more comfortable in a leadership role or in a supporting role? Explain why. 
 

 
In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Philip is only a name on a list of Twelve. But John’s Gospel rescues Philip from obscurity. Philip was probably a fisherman by trade, like Peter and Andrew, but he would have functioned best in an accounting office. 
Philip had a calculator for a mind, and Jesus wanted to temper that analytical preference with a strong dose of trust in God... 

 
[Read John 6:1-13] 

 
How do you describe to a friend the setting of this account and each character or group involved? 
What about the scene makes it seem like an impossible situation? 

 

 

Why were the crowds following Jesus? 

 

 
What are some of the reasons that people follow Jesus today? 
 

 

Jesus specifically asked Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” But John makes it clear that Jesus was testing Philip (verse 6). What was Jesus looking for from Philip?  
 

 

What does Philip’s answer tell you about how he approached tough life situations? 
 

 

Philip tried to figure out exactly how this situation could be resolved, but he calculated without faith in Jesus’ power or ability to provide. Describe a time when you have tried to help the Lord out and how it ended. 

 

[Activity] Rewrite Philip’s response in a way that includes an expression of confident trust in Jesus’ ability to meet this need. 
 

 

 
What do you think was the significance to Philip that there was more food left over after everyone had eaten (twelve baskets [verse 13]) than they had before they began (five small loaves and two dried fish [verse 9])? 

 
What does that say to you about how to face difficult situations in your life? 
 

 

Consider the qualities that increased in Philip’s character and the flaws that decreased after this incident. Complete the following sentences: 

After this incident, Philip was more... 

 
… and he was less... 

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