1. Read Matthew 15:21-28:

Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 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.’ 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.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.’ The woman came and knelt before him. ‘Lord, help me!’ she said. He replied, ‘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.’ Then Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.’ And her daughter was healed at that moment.

-MAtthew 15:21-28

  

2. What is the biblical definition of “mercy.” What other Bible verses help you with this definition?

  

  

3. Tell about a time when you either gave or received mercy?

   

  

4. Why did Jesus seem reluctant to help the Canaanite woman? What did He want the disciples to understand?

  

  

5. How did the “hippies” work their way into this message? What is the greater meaning of this word beyond the “dropouts” of the 60s?

  

  

6. How open are you to having “outcasts” sit next to you in church? Be honest!

  

  

7. Read Philippians 3:12-14. 3:12-14 and Matthew 11:28:

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 3:12-14

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

-Matthew 11:28

 

8. How do these passages speak to the truths in the weekend message?