Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Long Distance Mental Health Care

Matthew 15: 21 – 28

What is a city or region through which you simply loathe traveling?

Why might Jesus be traveling outside of Israel into the Gentile region of these two cities?
How would Jesus’ disciples be feeling traveling outside of their normal homeland?
Where do you go to retreat from the grinding stress of daily life?

Why does Matthew make a point of this woman being ethnically Canaanite?
Imagine you are this woman approaching Jesus for help, what emotions are you experiencing as you arrive?
What might it say about the social environment that the child has serious spiritual issues?
Compare and contrast this woman’s initial pleas for help with others we have heard.
What do these pleas show us about her understand of whom Jesus really is?

Why does Jesus not answer her at all when she first asks for help?
How would you describe the disciples’ response towards her cries?
Why are they so cold and harsh towards her in her need?
Who are people you tend to treat in a cold and harsh way?

What is Jesus’ reasoning for not immediately helping her in her situation?
How does Jesus’ argument make an effective justification for his actions?
What does her argument show us about her attitude and spirituality?
Why does Jesus eventually relent and help her situation?
What does it show us about Jesus that he can have spiritual victory over distance?
How does faith allow for spiritual victory for our families?

What kinds of spiritual victory do you need in your life and family tonight?
How can you go about crying out to Jesus this week for the help only he can give?

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