Can you connect this passage to your life? If you were like one of the seeds Jesus spoke of, which one do you think you would be? Do you want to change this?
What do these verses tell us about the power of Jesus? How do you understand the encounter between the forces of good and evil that we witness here?
In these verses, we see Jesus heal a synagogue ruler’s daughter and a woman who would have been ostracised because of her illness. What do you think about Jesus’ willingness to help anyone?
What would you have made of the miracle if you had been part of the hungry crowd? Who do you think Jesus is? If you could ask Jesus a question what would it be?
Is there any part of what you’ve just seen that didn’t make sense? Why do you think Jesus referred to a child when he was asked by the disciples who would be the greatest?
It seems that Jesus generated a variety of responses. Some weren’t willing to welcome him, some were ready to follow, and others were not quite ready – yet! What’s your response to him?
Jesus teaches his followers so that they are able to go and help people hear and experience the good news about the ‘Kingdom of God’. Would you be willing to do this?
Both of these stories, one a parable Jesus told, the other a visit Jesus made to a friend’s house, involved contrasting characters. Use your imagination to explore who you might be in both stories.
