The Woman of Canaan and the Son of the Widow of Nain

THE WOMAN OF CANAAN

 

            Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshiped Him saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.” Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Matthew 15: 21-28

 

Possible Discussion Questions:

  1. What was the importance of the woman being from Canaan?
  2. Why did Jesus “happen” to be in the region of Tyre and Sidon?
  3. Why didn’t Jesus answer her at first?
  4. Why were the disciples upset?
  5. Was Jesus’s response rude? Why did He respond in such a way?
  6. Why didn’t the woman give up? What reasons might she have had to give up and go home? Do we “give up” when praying? What reasons might we have to just quit?
  7. Any correlation with the parable of the importunate widow?

 

 

 

THE SON OF THE WIDOW OF NAIN

 

            Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain, and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.”

 

Luke 7:11-16

 

Possible Discussion Questions:

1.Is it OK with Jesus if we weep over the death of a loved one?

2.What might be the significance of Jesus touching the coffin?

3.Why did Jesus raise this particular young man (after all, people die every day)?

4.How can we tell this miracle was not a hoax?