1. Gentile culture clashes. Does that fact that Jesus spent most of his early earthly ministry with the Gentiles of Nazareth make any difference in His life on earth? Did He choose Nazareth because it would make an excellent headquarters for the gospel ministry? How much of an impact did Jesus have on the Gentiles He encountered during His ministry?

2. The Samaritan woman. What did the location of Israel have to do with the success of Jesus’ ministry? Why did Jesus bother to strike up a conversation with the Samaritan woman? Why might he have had second thoughts about being friendly with her? How do you think the woman felt when Jesus talked plainly to her about her marriage status? Do you think she was shocked at his knowledge? Did Jesus violate Jewish custom by letting Himself be seen alone with the woman? Why? Or Why not?

3. The Roman Officer. In general, what was the attitude of the Jewish people to all Romans and persons of Roman descent? Why do you think the Roman centurion was able go contrary to this common feeling and express his full confidence in Jesus, a Healer from somewhere else and His ability to heal someone even without being present? Do you ever meet people from other cultures in your work or life? Do you relish those conversations that guide your thinking to a full cross-cultural friendship?

4. Dealing with Demons. How could the herd keepers in the Gadarenes possibly feel any hard feelings about having their pigs delivered from evil spirits? Or, another way of asking: How could the pig owners be expected to rejoice over the loss of their financial investment? If you owned the herd of pigs, wouldn’t you be upset about losing them? Then there’s the child with a Canaanite background, possessed by demons. Her mother wants her girl healed. Is Jesus teasing her when He says, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the demons”? Was it? What did the mother think about that? How was she rewarded for her courage and faith? This is not In the lesson, but we come next to the story of 4,000 men plus women and children who had an outdoor lunch served by Jesus from a basket containing seven loaves and a few fish. Why do you think Jesus fed the crowd so generously? Is there at least one lesson there for you and me as we plan an outreach ministry to the world?

5. The ten lepers. If you had a horrible disease such as leprosy, how would you feel if the world’s greatest Healer told you to present yourself to the nearest health official? What did that request mean to the lepers? Did they object to this request? What made the Samaritan among them respond quite differently? What did he do? Do you and I ever forget to show appreciation for good things people do for us? How much of your daily prayer time do you spend asking God for blessings compared with the time you spend in thanksgiving for the blessing He has given you?

6. The Greek visitors. Probably converts to Judaism, the Greeks nevertheless were from a different religious background. As they mingled with the people attending a huge religious festival, what was their single desire? What is the significance of their overwhelming desire to see Jesus? The Pharisees, watching this, looked at each other with amazement and said, “The world has gone after Him.” What did they mean?

7. Coming from the east and the west. On a peaceful Sabbath afternoon do you ever imagine a world populated by people filled with joy to be with Jesus forever? What about those who did not make a commitment to be with Jesus? Who did not take time to worship Him and serve Him? Will they also come from all the countries and cultures of the world? Are you ready today for Jesus to come?

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