Tue Jun 24

Listen up, little ones

Especially for the littles in your household.

Listen for the word Lord.

Reading

Mark 7:24-30—Bold Faith

Keys for kids

Also for the littles. Young households might choose, after Keys for Kids, to go directly to praise and prayer.

The woman knew that Jesus could help her.
Because she believed, she asked for His help.
he was unwilling to give up, but was persistent.

Questions

(some read the ?s before notes, then ask them after)

What things have you heard that Jesus has done?
What things can you ask Jesus to do?
Do you believe that Jesus hears you when you ask?

Notes

Mon-Wed notes this week were written by Tyler H. in preparation for reviewing our visiting preacher.

We learn that the Syro-Phoenician woman came to Jesus because she had heard of Him and the things that He had done (v.25). After finding Jesus, she asked for His help. But Jesus responded to her, saying it was not right to throw the children's food to the dogs.

However, Jesus' response was not meant to insult her, but to test her faith. She saw that it was a test, so she pressed into His response, saying that even the dogs can eat from the children's crumbs. The woman wasn’t proud or defiant, but she respected Him, calling Him Lord (v.28).

Schnabel writes, the Syro-Phoenician woman is an example of persistent faith (mentioned by Matthew, implied by Mark). She responds to news about Jesus and his authority. She approaches Jesus, convinced that he has the power to free her daughter from demons. She perseveres with both boldness and humility in the face of an initial lack of positive response to her request. She has spiritual discernment in terms of what Jesus can and might do. She is 'willing to be last instead of first' (Strauss, p. 317). She trusts that Jesus has healed her daughter when he sends her home. She believes in Jesus as having unique, unprecedented authority.

In response to the woman’s faith, Jesus gives her what she asks for and heals her daughter. Let us also have the same faith to believe that Jesus is not only able, but willing to hear us when we pray.

Swedish Method questions

See the Sunday notes for meaning of the symbols.

Praise

Psalm 103b, 119s

Prayer

Pray that we would have bold faith in coming before God.
Give thanks for something from last Lord’s Day’s sermons.
Pray for a member of our church, for your family, and for a non-Christian friend/family member.