12th Sunday after Pentecost

This week, Pastor Amanda spoke on how Jesus teaches that sin is less about breaking rules and more about breaking relationships, and how the persistence of a Canaanite woman revealed that God's grace continually expands beyond the boundaries we create to embrace all people.

You can read her manuscript by CLICKING HERE.

Reflection Questions:

1. Jesus teaches that sin is more about broken relationships than broken rules. How does that change the way you think about sin and faithfulness?

2. The sermon suggests that Jesus may have been exhausted, grieving, and overwhelmed. How does seeing Jesus' humanity affect your understanding of him?

3. Have there been times when your own exhaustion or stress made it difficult to be compassionate toward others?

4. The Canaanite woman refused to give up when others dismissed her. What can her persistence teach us about faith and trust in God?

5. If "our heart is where defilement happens," what attitudes, assumptions, or biases is God calling you to examine this week?

Prayer: 

God of abundant grace, when we are weary, teach us again that your kingdom is not built on rules alone but on love, mercy, and reconciliation. Open our hearts to receive those whom you place before us, that through us your welcome may continue to reach the ends of the earth. Amen.