It has been a wonderful, exciting week at First-Suffolk as our campus buzzed with the energy of Vacation Bible School. I still have vivid memories of my VBS days. Cookies and Kool-Aid in the old Fellowship Hall downstairs, games in the parking lot out back, marching in for the pledges. But most of all the caring people who taught me God’s Word. What a blessing to see all the kids and caring teachers and volunteers pouring their lives and God’s Word into the lives of precious children this week! Volunteers, thank-you for giving of yourselves, loving children, and teaching the gospel. God’s Word will not return void.

This Sunday we will study Mark 7:24-37 as we talk about “Encountering the King.” We’ll look at two dramatic encounters that people in need had with Jesus.

The first is in verses 24-30. As you read about this encounter in preparation this week, ponder these things:

• Jesus has gone far outside his usual territory, probably to escape the crowds and rest. Yet he cannot remain hidden for long, and is approached by a person in desperate need – a need that he meets by his power and grace. You may know what it is like to make plans, and your plans get interrupted. What if we saw these interruptions to our plans as divine interruptions that are meant to further God’s plan?
• If you are a parent, what desperate measures would you take to alleviate the suffering of your child?
• Out of all the people who approached Jesus, this woman may have been the least likely. She had all kinds of barriers to fight through. Like what?
• The answer that Jesus gives her seems, at first glance, to be insulting, but it is not. Why not?
• Jesus absolutely delights in her response to his initial answer. Why?
• What does this tell us about faith? Humility? God’s abounding grace?
• We will also consider the encounter found in verses 31-37.
  As you read this, consider:
• How should God’s love in the gospel impact how we feel about the weak, the vulnerable, and the disabled?
• Jesus healed many people with just a word. Why does he choose to heal this man in the particular way that he does? Touching, spitting, putting his fingers in his ears?

The answers are fascinating, and they will touch your heart.

See you this Sunday!

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.