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TOPIC—PRIORITIES---Matt 22; 15-22
STARTER
(In pairs for 5 minutes) Describe a recent shopping trip that you enjoyed.
WORSHIP
READ PASSAGE ALOUD
(with IN/OUT listening. How would it feel to be Jesus in this situation?)
RE-READ PASSAGE AND COMMENTARY
(Personal reflection)
PERSONAL FOCUS
(Personal reflection on the passage / commentary & questions in silence 10 minutes)
COMMENTARY
Matthew makes it very clear that two opposing groups have united to trap Jesus; if he supported paying taxes to Rome he would be accused of being a traitor by his own people. If he refused such payment, he would be charged with acting against the government. Jesus is not fooled and turns the situation back on them. It is clear that they have accepted Roman rule because they can produce a Roman coin. It belongs to Caesar: it has his image and his inscription on it. So Jesus says if it belongs to him give it to him, but "give to God what is God's". He is telling them that there is a kingdom higher that that of Caesar. All people are made in the image of God. They belong to God, and Jesus calls them to give their lives to God, not to earthly concerns. [Baranowski]
PERSONAL FOCUS QUESTIONS
(Initially just reflect on the question that chooses you. It may help to clarify your thinking to make notes in the spaces provided. This will also give you material to reflect on in the future)
1. What verse in this reading speaks to you? What is God saying to you?
2. Relate an experience when you felt pressured into making a decision contrary to you principles.
3. What belongs only to God in your life?
PERSONAL FOCUS QUESTIONS
(Discuss in triplets /pray for each other –25 minutes)
LIFE FOCUS
(Discuss in whole group-15 minutes)
4. Are there areas in life where we feel compromised by the demands of state and the requirements of God's justice? If so what should we do about them?
5. What practical outcome is there from our reflection? Do we need to make any plans to make things happen?
GROUP MEMORY TIME
(Review the actions you agreed to carry out at previous meetings)
REVIEW TIME
What did you most enjoy about this meeting?
What would you like to do differently next time?
PRAYER TIME
Perhaps you could pray for those who work in national and local government.
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