Here is a Day by Day guide to learning and applying:

Read: the daily Scriptures and Answer the Question from the sermon.

Create: Create your own questions/comments from the scriptures

Discuss: Talk about your questions and reactions to the scriptures.

12/14/25

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22

1. “Whose image do you bear?” — What does it mean to be made in the image of God?

Talking Points:

Jesus uses the coin as a contrast: Caesar’s image → belongs to Caesar; God’s image → we belong to God.

If we truly bear His image, what does that require of us in terms of identity, obedience, lifestyle, and surrender?

How does remembering we bear God’s image influence our decisions, relationships, and priorities?

2. Why do you think truth often “triggers” people who are living apart from it?

Talking Points:

The Pharisees grew angry because Jesus exposed their hypocrisy and confronted their false beliefs.

Discuss personal examples (without naming people) of times truth felt uncomfortable.

How can we deliver truth with grace, not harshness, even when it confronts sin?

3. How do you respond when someone flatters you or tries to manipulate you?

Talking Points:

The Pharisees and Herodians used flattery to hide their deceit.

Why can excessive praise be a warning sign?

How can believers discern motives and remain humble and grounded when praised?

4. Jesus wasn’t fooled—why do we still sometimes act as if we can hide things from God?

Talking Points:

Why humans instinctively try to conceal motives, sins, or intentions (like Adam and Eve).

The freedom that comes from confession, honesty, and transparency before God.

How knowing that Jesus sees our hearts can change the way we live daily.

5. “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s”—what does this look like today?

Talking Points:

The balance between civic responsibility and spiritual devotion.

What parts of our lives do we willingly “give to God,” and what parts do we hold back?

Time, finances, attention, obedience, worship—what belongs to God in practical terms?

6. Are we offering our whole selves to God or just small portions of our week?

Talking Points:

The temptation to reduce Christianity to Sundays and mid-week services.

What does “surrendering all” look like in schedules, families, work, and habits?

Practical habits that help believers give God more than an hour—daily worship, prayer, generosity, service, obedience.

12/7/25

REMINDER:

A Disciple...

● Loves All People

● Discovers Identity in Jesus

Deepens Relationship with Jesus

Community Builder:

What have I done this week to…

● Feed my soul?

● Feed others?

Feed my flesh?

Scripture Study Tip:

Ask these three questions when reading…

1. What does it say?

2. What does it mean?

3. How do I apply it to my daily life?

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Title: Why Do You Doubt?

BIG IDEA: Do whatever Jesus tells you to do.

What do you doubt about God, yourself, the Bible, your faith?

What do you do when you have doubts?

What does it say? Read Matthew 14:12-13

Jesus modeled praying during your highs and your lows.

Do you find it more challenging to pray in your highs or lows?

Why do you think that is?

What changes might you make to pray more consistently in your highs and lows?

What does it say? Read Matthew 14:22-27

Share a time when you were in the middle of a storm and Jesus came to you in a way you didn’t expect — and maybe you didn’t even recognize at first.

Sometimes God changes your circumstances and sometimes God uses those circumstances to change you.

Share a time God used difficult circumstances to change you and draw you closer to Him.

Read Matthew 14:28-29. What do you do when Jesus calls you out of the boat?

Constant Reminder

Six questions for gospel-centered discernment. Memorize and ask these six questions to discern and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life.

G - God's glory: Will this decision primarily be about my glory or God's glory?

O - Other Christians: What do other gospel-saturated, Christ-centered, wise friends say about this upcoming decision?

S - Scripture: Does the Bible command, permit, or prohibit this decision? What does inerrant, infallible Scripture say?

P - Prayer: Have you abided with, rested in, asked from, listened to and waited on God in this decision over time?

E - Evangelism: Will this decision give me the opportunity to share the gospel and invite people to faith in Jesus?

L - Lifestyle: Will this decision lead me to live a lifestyle of love marked by the Fruit of the Spirit and holiness?