Application Questions:
1. Jesus rebuked Pharisees and scribes, “So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God” (Mt. 15:6)? When does tradition become a danger to Scripture? Are you innocent of this? How can such a sin be avoided?
2. Isn’t it offensive to call someone a dog? Why did Jesus call a Canaanite woman a dog before healing her daughter (Mt 15:21-28)?
3. Was Jesus’ miracle of feeding the 5,000 (Mt 14:13-21) and feeding the 4,000 (Mt 15:32-39) a single event or two events? What clue is given in Matthew 16? Why both stories?
4. Since words come out of the heart (Mt 15:18), how are you cleansing your heart and filtering your words? What practical steps help you overcome negativity, gossip, and hate speech?