Please read through this guide and use it as a tool in your Life Groups in whatever way suits you best.
Read the Word.
Think about what you read in the Book of Matthew recently, OR;
Briefly read through the Main Text from Pastor Roland’s sermon last Sunday.
21 And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
- Matthew 15:21-28
What stands out to you from your Bible reading and why? How can you apply that to your life?
Reflect on the Sermon.
In Matthew 15, Jesus leaves Jerusalem and goes on an extended journey into the area of Tyre and Sidon before returning to the Sea of Galilee. The Book of Matthew only tells us about one encounter He had while there. A Gentile woman approached Jesus, asking for him to heal her daughter. Jesus initially resisted her to test her faith. She responded with compelling faith that impressed Jesus! This woman had a problem, like we all do at times. But she had a plan - and that was to persistently seek Jesus as the provider for her needs.
Have you ever felt like God might be testing your faith? If so, then how?
What do you think God wanted you to learn?
What stands out to you about the Canaanite Mother’s example? How can you emulate that?