Discussion
- Jesus had just finished teaching about what truly makes a person unclean in Mark 7:1-23. How is Jesus’ departure into Tyre, a gentile territory a continuation of this teaching on cleanliness versus uncleanliness?
- In addition to Mark’s account about the Gentile mother, read the parallel account in Matthew 15:21-28? What additional details are given in Matthew’s account?
- What were the obstacles the Gentile mother had to overcome to approach Jesus for help?
- What do you find intriguing about Jesus’s response to this woman and how she responded in turn?
- What was it about the woman’s faith that Jesus found commendable?
- What details stand out to you about Jesus’ healing of the deaf man?
- What resulted from the healings by Jesus in Tyre & Sidon?
- Compare the feeding of the five thousand in Mark 6 with the feeding of the four thousand in Mark 8. What similarities and differences do you notice?
- Why were the Pharisees demanding to see a sign performed by Jesus in Mark 8:11? What emotions/response did this elicit from Jesus?
- Why is a sign not needed if a person has true faith?
- What did Jesus warn his disciples to beware of? Why?
- What grieved Jesus about the disciple’s conversation surrounding their bread supply?
Application:
- Where might I need God’s help to accept where He has me, believe His Word, and persist in my pleas to Him?
- What types of things cause me worry and stress despite being in the metaphorical boat (having a personal relationship) with Jesus?
- What attributes do I see in this passage that will help to trust him instead of worrying?
- How has God shown me his goodness and faithfulness recently?
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