John Brunt

Boston Symphony Hall

John Brunt

Field Trip
Use a passageMatthew 15:21-28--as an example Go through 9 steps I would use to study the passage Next week the sermon will be on this passage

# 1Attitude of Prayer
Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit Have a spirit of humility and willingness to learn Dont think you can only do serious study of the Bible if you are a scholar Make use of contemporary technological tools without forgetting that the purpose of the Bible is to make us wise for salvation

# 2Read the Passage

BibleGateway.com 29 English Versions Many Languages

BibleGateway.Com

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.

Matthew 15:21-28

Matthew 15:21-28
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 childrens bread and toss it to the dogs.

 27 Yes it is, Lord, she said. Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters table. 28 Then Jesus said to her, Woman,[a] you have great faith! Your request is granted. And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Matthew 15:21-28

#3Listen to the Passage

BibleGateway.com Menu at top leftAudio Bibles

Matthew 15:21-28
[Audio recording of Matthew 15]

# 4Ask Questions
What is this strange story all about? Where does this happen? What is a Canaanite woman? Why does Jesus say He came only for the lost sheep of the house of Israel?

#4Ask Questions
Why does Jesus seem to be so harsh with the woman (especially the reference to dog)? What emotions do you see in the story?

As you ask questions, put yourself in the story:

Try to identify with the disciples. Can you resonate with their annoyance?

#4Ask Questions
Put yourself in the place of the woman How would it feel to hear the disciples tell Jesus to send you away? How would you react if Jesus told you that it wasnt right to feed the childrens food to dogs?

#5Note the Context

What are the stories surrounding this one? What do they have in common? How does this help with the meaning of this passage?

Matthew 14-15
Jesus feeds the 5000 (14:13-21) Jesus walks on water and heals the sick (14:22-36) Jesus debates with Pharisees about eating bread with unwashed hands (15:1-20) The Canaanite woman (15:21-28) Jesus feeds the 4000 (15:29-39)

# 6Set the Passage Geographically

BibleMap.org

# 7Study the Words

www.BlueLetterBible.org Englishmans Greek and Hebrew Concordance

# 8Compare Scriptures
Two Websites www.BlueLetterBible.org www.bibleresearcher.com/pa rallels

Mark 7:24:30
Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre.[a] He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil[b] spirit came and fell at his feet.

Mark 7:24-30
The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. 27 First let the children eat all they want, he told her, for it is not right to take the childrens bread and toss it to the dogs.

Mark 7:24-30
28 Lord, she replied, even the dogs under the table eat the childrens crumbs. 29 Then he told her, For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.

Is this Troublesome?
Noif all the details were the same we wouldnt need 4 Gospels Ellen White says we have four because the minds of people differ and different writers bring out points that the others do not

Ellen White on the Gospels "Why do we need a Matthew, a Mark, a Luke, a John, a Paul, and all the writers who have bourne testimony in regard to the life and ministry of the Saviour? Why could not one of the disciples have written a complete record, and thus have given us a connected account of Christ's earthly life?

Counsels to Students, Parents and Teachers, p. 432

Why does one writer bring in points that another does not mention? Why, if these points are essential, did not all the writers mention them? It is because the minds of men differ. Not all comprehend things in exactly the same way. Certain Scripture truths appeal much more strongly to the minds of some than of others.

Matthew Doesnt Include

Jesus entering a house The phrase, Let the children be fed. The phrase, For this saying you may go your way

Matthew Changes
The fact that she was a Greek, Syrophoenician by birth to A Canaanite Women. (Tie with OT) From the daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit to a demon

 The woman says, Have mercy on me Son of David (compare with genealogy) The disciples wanted Jesus to send her away (also feeding of 5000 in Matthew 14:15) Jesus saying he came only for the lost sheep of Israel Jesus speaks of her great faith

Matthew Adds

# 9Reflection
What does the passage tell me about God? Do I here Him speaking to me? What does the passage suggest about what I should do or be? What does the passage contribute to my personal, spiritual relationship with God.

Back to Boston

Video Clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAXaUB1mU6M