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Reference

Mark 7.24-30

INTRODUCTION: AN INTERRUPTED BREAK (AGAIN)

AN OFFENSIVE PARABLE

  • LSB: ‘Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.’
  • Matthew 15.24: ‘I was sent only to the Lost sheep of Israel’. 
  • Word for ‘dog’ used here refers to a house pet
  • Jesus did not exclude Gentiles, but his ministry was to Israel.

The Woman’s Faith

  • The only person to understand a parable without explanation!
  • She has a posture of humility, not offence.
  • The little dogs are part of the household and get to eat under the table.
  • She hears in the parable a message of inclusion, not exclusion.
  • She believes in the goodness of Jesus and his mission.
  • One of a few people who receive what they asked for without Jesus having to do anything.

THE CHILDREN’S BREAD

The Children of God

  • Then Israel
  • Now the church
  • Romans 11

John 1.11–13: He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.

  • John 3

The Children’s Bread

  • Bread a metaphor for the Word of God.
  • The message and ministry of the gospel
  • John 10: ‘I came that they may have life and have it in abundance’.
  • 2Cor 3: ‘Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom’

The Children’s Bread Today

  • Includes miracles, healings, deliverance as well as preaching
  • Why don’t we see it today?
  • Worried about being disappointed.
  • Are we too comfortable?
  • But God is still at work, even I’m Perth!

RECEIVED IT BY FAITH

  • God doesn’t want you to live off the crumbs, we sit at the table
  • We receive it by faith and submission to Jesus

Discussion Questions

  • Reading:
    • Re-read the passage in a couple of different translations
    • Retell the passage in your own words 
    • Is there anything you don’t understand?
  • Discussing: 
    • When have you eaten of the children’s bread?
    • What do you think stops us from seeing the Kingdom manifested more?
    • What does this story tell us about God?
    • What does it tell us about people?
  • Responding:
    • What is God saying to you?
    • What are you going to do as a result?
    • Who are you going to tell?