ETC 4420 Day 4 (7pm)
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wikicommonsThe woman whose daughter had a demon (Mark 7.24-30)
Remember Mark 10.40-45 as we think about the encounter between Jesus and the woman. Mark underlines her ‘Greekness’.
How is Jesus unlike the Gentile rulers of his day and ours?
He is unlike any Roman ruler, or a traditional faith healer, a contemporary political leader or an unkind boss in a factory
How does Jesus reveal his humility as he serves the woman?
How does Jesus lead towards the coming of God’s kingdom?
How can we follow the example the woman sets?
What can we learn as leaders from the example that Jesus sets?
People from different cultures mixing in our churches
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wikicommonsA part time evangelical pastor, who also works in a bank, speaks of his experience in a multicultural church family. He is eager to be faithful to scripture and responsive to the people he serves.
A part time pastor speaks of his experience
Reflection
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wikicommonsWhat have you learned through the different ways that we have set up our discussions during these last few days?
What did you find hardest?
What was most helpful?
What have we done together that you could use in your church, in order not to lord it over them, as other people might, but to serve them in humility, following the teaching and example of Jesus?
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wikicommonsHomework
The woman from Tyre has moved to Rome, where she has been living for the last few years.
You also live in Rome, working as a bricklayer and part-time pastor.
She is a member of the church where you serve. Here is a letter asking you to share with her what you are praying for her as she struggles with the sometime bitter cultural divisions in the church.
To my beloved pastor, in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Peace to you in the name of the One who cast out the demon from my daughter with just a word.
I am writing with a heavy heart. I thank God for his mercy to me and my child, that day still brings me to my knees in gratitude. I believed then, and I believe now, that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. It was only crumbs I asked for, but I have tasted the Bread of Life. But I am struggling to find my place in his family.
Since moving here to Rome, I have been doing all I can to be part of the Christian church. I came full of hope, longing to worship together with others who follow Jesus. But it has been hard, far harder than I imagined. The divisions among us run deep. Some of my Jewish brothers and sisters still see my Greekness as a problem. There are tensions over food, special days, how to raise our children, how to pray, how to read the Scriptures. I feel the suspicion in people’s eyes, the quiet remarks behind my back, the arguments that flare up over things that ought not to divide us.
Sometimes there have been angry words, even shoving and shouting. Sometimes politics from outside the church seeps into our gatherings, like bitter poison in a cup meant for holy things.
Pastor, I feel weary. I long for the unity that Jesus prayed for, the kind that tells the world we belong to him. I know I am not alone in this pain. But I need help. I need your wisdom. I would be comforted if you would tell me how you are praying for me. Not just what I should do, or how I should think, but how you are bringing me before the Lord.
Please write to me. I am holding on to Jesus, but some days I feel I am only just clinging by my fingertips.
Yours in Christ,
The woman from Tyre
Now serve her, following the teaching and example of Jesus in Mark 10.40-45, not treating her as other leaders might, but humbly serving her, helping her to look back to the cross and forwards the coming of God’s kingdom.
Write the prayer you will be praying for her, for sharing with her in response to her request, and then send it over to me. You could use the Lord’s Prayer to guide you, or use a different framework.
Please email your response to [email protected] by 5pm before we meet at 530pm