Leftovers: Nourishment and Inclusivity in Faith
Summary
In our gathering today, we explored the theme of "leftovers" and how it relates to our spiritual lives, using the passage from Matthew 15:21-28 as our guide. This passage recounts the encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman, a story that challenges our understanding of Jesus' mission and the inclusivity of God's grace. The woman, despite being an outsider, recognizes Jesus as the "Son of David" and pleads for her daughter's healing. Her faith, persistence, and understanding of Jesus' identity stand in stark contrast to the disciples' limited perception. This narrative invites us to reflect on the nature of faith and the expansiveness of God's kingdom.
The concept of leftovers serves as a metaphor for how we often perceive certain aspects of our spiritual journey. Just as leftovers can be nourishing, the seemingly small or overlooked elements of our faith can provide sustenance and growth. The Canaanite woman's story reminds us that God's grace is abundant and available to all, even those who might be considered outsiders or unworthy. Her faith exemplifies the belief that even a crumb of God's power is sufficient to bring healing and transformation.
We are encouraged to approach our spiritual practices, such as reading scripture and participating in communion, with the understanding that they may not always feel life-changing in the moment. However, like leftovers, they quietly sustain us, providing the nourishment we need to grow in faith. The act of coming to the table, partaking in communion, and engaging in community worship are reminders of the inclusive and generous nature of God's love. As we partake in these practices, we are invited to recognize the abundance of God's grace and the power it holds to transform our lives, even in the smallest of ways.
Key Takeaways:
1. Faith Beyond Boundaries: The Canaanite woman's recognition of Jesus as the "Son of David" highlights the power of faith that transcends cultural and religious boundaries. Her understanding of Jesus' identity, despite being an outsider, challenges us to see faith as a universal language that connects us to God's grace. [29:25]
2. The Nourishment of Leftovers: Just as leftovers can provide nourishment, the seemingly small or overlooked aspects of our spiritual journey can sustain us. This metaphor encourages us to find value in the ordinary and to trust that God's grace is present even in the mundane. [31:36]
3. Inclusivity of God's Kingdom: The story of the Canaanite woman illustrates the inclusivity of God's kingdom, where even those considered outsiders are welcomed and valued. Her faith and persistence remind us that God's grace is abundant and available to all who seek it. [37:32]
4. Persistent Faith: The woman's persistence in seeking Jesus' help, despite initial rejection, exemplifies the power of unwavering faith. Her story encourages us to remain steadfast in our pursuit of God's presence, trusting that even a crumb of His power is sufficient for transformation. [42:25]
5. The Quiet Sustenance of Spiritual Practices: Engaging in spiritual practices like reading scripture and participating in communion may not always feel life-changing, but they quietly sustain us. These practices remind us of the abundance of God's grace and the nourishment it provides for our spiritual growth. [46:18]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[05:00] - Call to Worship
[10:00] - Introduction to Leftovers Theme
[15:00] - Scripture Reading: Matthew 15:21-28
[20:00] - The Canaanite Woman's Faith
[25:00] - Jesus' Response and Its Implications
[30:00] - The Metaphor of Leftovers
[35:00] - Inclusivity in God's Kingdom
[40:00] - Persistent Faith and Its Rewards
[45:00] - Spiritual Practices as Sustenance
[50:00] - Communion Invitation
[55:00] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
[01:00] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 15:21-28
Observation Questions:
1. How does the Canaanite woman address Jesus, and what does this reveal about her understanding of His identity? [29:25]
2. What is the initial reaction of Jesus' disciples to the Canaanite woman's plea, and what does this suggest about their perception of her? [31:36]
3. How does Jesus initially respond to the Canaanite woman's request, and what is her reaction to His response? [37:32]
4. What is the outcome of the encounter between Jesus and the Canaanite woman, and what does this indicate about her faith? [42:25]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the Canaanite woman's recognition of Jesus as the "Son of David" suggest about the universality of faith and its ability to transcend cultural boundaries? [29:25]
2. In what ways does the metaphor of "leftovers" challenge our understanding of the value of seemingly small or overlooked aspects of our spiritual journey? [31:36]
3. How does the story of the Canaanite woman illustrate the inclusivity of God's kingdom, and what implications does this have for how we view outsiders? [37:32]
4. What can we learn from the Canaanite woman's persistence in seeking Jesus' help, and how does this reflect the nature of unwavering faith? [42:25]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like an outsider in a spiritual context. How did you respond, and what can you learn from the Canaanite woman's faith in such situations? [29:25]
2. Consider the "leftovers" in your spiritual life—practices or beliefs that may seem small or insignificant. How can you begin to see them as sources of nourishment and growth? [31:36]
3. How can you actively work to make your faith community more inclusive, ensuring that those who might feel like outsiders are welcomed and valued? [37:32]
4. Think about a situation where you need to persist in faith despite initial setbacks or rejections. What steps can you take to remain steadfast in your pursuit of God's presence? [42:25]
5. How can you approach your spiritual practices, such as reading scripture or participating in communion, with a renewed understanding of their quiet but essential role in sustaining your faith? [46:18]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel you are only receiving "crumbs" of God's grace. How can you shift your perspective to recognize the abundance in what you have? [46:18]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to ensure that you are not overlooking the small but significant ways God is working in your life? [46:18]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith as a Universal Language
Faith transcends cultural and religious boundaries, connecting us to God's grace. The Canaanite woman's recognition of Jesus as the "Son of David" demonstrates the power of faith that goes beyond societal norms and expectations. Despite being an outsider, her understanding of Jesus' identity challenges us to see faith as a universal language that unites us with God's grace. Her story invites us to reflect on how faith can break down barriers and bring us closer to the divine, regardless of our background or circumstances. [29:25]
Matthew 8:10-11 (ESV): "When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, 'Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.'"
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt like an outsider. How can you use your faith to connect with God's grace and break down barriers in your life today?
Day 2: Finding Value in the Ordinary
The metaphor of leftovers encourages us to find nourishment in the seemingly small or overlooked aspects of our spiritual journey. Just as leftovers can provide sustenance, the ordinary elements of our faith can sustain us in unexpected ways. This perspective invites us to trust that God's grace is present even in the mundane, offering us nourishment and growth. By valuing the ordinary, we can discover the richness of God's presence in every aspect of our lives. [31:36]
1 Kings 19:11-12 (ESV): "And he said, 'Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper."
Reflection: What ordinary aspect of your life can you find spiritual nourishment in today? How can you invite God to reveal His presence in the mundane?
Day 3: Embracing the Inclusivity of God's Kingdom
The story of the Canaanite woman illustrates the inclusivity of God's kingdom, where even those considered outsiders are welcomed and valued. Her faith and persistence remind us that God's grace is abundant and available to all who seek it. This narrative challenges us to embrace the inclusivity of God's love and to extend that same grace to others, regardless of their background or status. By doing so, we participate in the expansive and welcoming nature of God's kingdom. [37:32]
Acts 10:34-35 (ESV): "So Peter opened his mouth and said: 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.'"
Reflection: Who in your life might feel like an outsider? How can you extend God's inclusive grace to them today?
Day 4: The Power of Persistent Faith
The Canaanite woman's persistence in seeking Jesus' help, despite initial rejection, exemplifies the power of unwavering faith. Her story encourages us to remain steadfast in our pursuit of God's presence, trusting that even a crumb of His power is sufficient for transformation. This persistence in faith invites us to continue seeking God, even when we face obstacles or feel discouraged, knowing that His grace is always available to us. [42:25]
Luke 18:1-5 (ESV): "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, 'In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, "Give me justice against my adversary." For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, "Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming."'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to persist in faith? How can you actively seek God's presence and power in that area today?
Day 5: The Quiet Sustenance of Spiritual Practices
Engaging in spiritual practices like reading scripture and participating in communion may not always feel life-changing, but they quietly sustain us. These practices remind us of the abundance of God's grace and the nourishment it provides for our spiritual growth. By faithfully participating in these practices, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's love, even in the smallest of ways. [46:18]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: How can you incorporate a spiritual practice into your daily routine this week? What small step can you take today to allow God's grace to quietly sustain you?
Quotes
"She said, Yes, Lord. Yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table. Then Jesus answered her, Woman, great is your faith. Let it be done for you as you wish. And her daughter was healed instantly. This is God's word for us tonight." [00:29:25] (25 seconds)
"Somehow, outside of the Jewish territory that Jesus would have been a part of, where he's primarily been spending his time up to this point, teaching and healing. Somehow, the message of who Jesus is, and what he's been doing, has reached the Gentile territories of where he is located now. Somehow, that's happened." [00:32:31] (25 seconds)
"Because what does she say? She says, Have mercy on me, Lord, son of David. Son of David. In her little knowledge that she has of him, in some way, she has a great understanding. In her stashpetence. of who he is something his own disciples struggled with as long as they were with him they struggled with understanding what it meant for him to be king son of David son of man Jesus Messiah." [00:33:48] (38 seconds)
"She places hope in what others have discarded this son of David has so much power that there is enough power for the house of Israel and more than enough left over for her she's not trying to thwart his mission she just wants a crumb recognizing that even a crumb is powerful enough powerful enough to defeat the demon that has possessed her daughter." [00:39:41] (39 seconds)
"How do we feel about leftover scripture you ever thought of this leftover scriptures what do you mean by that I mean this when have you been reading scripture when have you been praying when have you been looking at a devotion when have you been doing whatever and thought about them the same negative way that we kind of see this passage in the leftovers." [00:40:32] (29 seconds)
"We don't stop eating. We keep going. We keep seeking. We keep reading to receive the nourishment that we need from this word, even if we feel like it is just leftovers. Lauren says this in her book. She does a lot better job with this, I think, in connecting this passage than I ever will. Same with Dr. Work." [00:41:52] (33 seconds)
"And she correlates that to sacrament. She correlates that to reading the Word. She correlates that to being in community with one another. And that even when I'm not to the point yet of seeing the life -changing thing happening within me, I still know that I need it. I still need this. I still need this." [00:43:36] (35 seconds)
"Tonight, just like in this passage, we may come and to this table that is open to every individual in the sound of my voice. Whoever's here, this is... is a meal for from God to God's children we may come and we may feel like they were only receiving crumbs of bread that it's not something substantial for us in the current moment." [00:44:32] (28 seconds)
"Come all you who are loved by God come and be fed with the food that he gives freely come and quench your thirst from the waters of life come and let your spirit be filled again with the goodness of your Creator Lord God giver of all good things we hear your invitation we see your gifts of life and grace we have come we have tasted and we know God you are good." [00:48:04] (39 seconds)
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