· Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see – Hebrews 11:1
· Matthew 15: 21-28: 21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A
Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”
23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”
24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”
25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.
26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was
healed at that moment.
· Do you need to get out of your comfort zone to hear from God?
· When you pass the test, your confidence in Jesus’ way increases.
· Catalytic faith is humble.
· Heavenly Father, I need you to do what only you can do.
· “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
· “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
· Catalytic faith persists.
· “They should always pray and not give up."
· Is God calling you to persist in faith?
· 28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great
faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.
· Everybody matters to God.
· Will you persist? Or will you give up
· Will Jesus ever say to you, “You have great faith!”
· Great faith is humbling coming to God and saying, “I can’t. You can. Please do your will.”
LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Starter Question: Who is the most persistent person you
know? Why are they that way?
1. Read Matthew 15:21-28
2. Jesus takes the disciples to an unlikely place to teach them. When has God taught you something in an unlikely place?
3. If you had been one of the disciples, how would you have reacted to the Canaanite woman?
4. If you were the woman, how would you have reacted to Jesus’ silence?
5. What do you think Jesus’ tone was in speaking these words? Why do you think that?
6. When are you tempted to give up on God?
7. How would you speak to someone who has been hurt God’s lack of response?
