Bad things happen to...

John 9 begins with a question about blame—who sinned to cause this suffering? Jesus redirects the moment toward God’s work instead. As Christians, are we busy assigning fault, or are we bringing Christ’s love to those who hurt?

 

Crossing Boundaries

 On His way to Galilee, Jesus did what most Israelites refused to do—He went through Samaria. The “good” people of His day questioned crossing into enemy territory, but Jesus cared more about connecting with people than respecting the boundaries others insisted on. John 4

Push or Follow?

For a while, Christians asked, “What would Jesus do?” to refocus their lives around His example. We can’t heal blindness or multiply food on command, but we can still imitate the way He lived. What step could help you follow Jesus more closely this week? Matthew 4:18

Followers or not

 

While calling His apostles (Matt 4), Jesus did not ask them to argue theology, He simple asked them to follow Him. During their time with Jesus, we see them struggle to understand what He wants from them, but maybe it's just as simple as doing the things He would do. How do you follow Jesus?

Whippersnappers

 Christians often like to recall the story of Jesus cleansing the temple (John 2) but also don't want their own services or practices disrupted. What Christian practices do you think Jesus would disrupt today?

Personal Temple Brags

Jesus clears the temple in John 2 to restore it to worship, not profit. Then He calls His own body a temple, confronting us with a sharper question: are our bodies instruments of worship or tools for self‑gain and harm. In what ways do you use your temple to oppress others?

Transformations

John 2 shows Jesus turning water into wine—a sign of His power to transform. But not all change honors Him. How have you or your church drifted from being true witnesses of God's goodness?

Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, but not our teacher?

 Many Christians call Jesus a personal friend while forgetting that He came chiefly to teach (for example Matt 5-7). Do you sidestep His words by appealing to other passages, or do you let His teachings shape your life today?

Happy? New Year

 May the new year inspire us to bear witness to the love of God in our hearts, words, and deeds. John 1

Song of the Season

 Maybe it's appropriate that we fill our hearts with song during the Advent season. After receiving Elizabeth's prophetic proclamation, Mary can't seem to help but burst out in song (Luke 1). What kind of songs do you find bursting from your lips when you consider the hope that is in Christ?

Awesome Exiles

 During the season of Advent, the church often remembers Bible passages like Ezekiel 37 that were meant to give hope to God's people while in exile. In what ways do you feel exiled? Can you find hope of restoration through humility and by looking to the example of Jesus Christ? 

The Call to Worship?

 We might laugh at the scene of Hebrew people being forced to worship the king's idol, but are we really different (Daniel 3)? Do we also worship our leaders and lust after gold? Do we long for praise parties that rally our emotions with exciting music and dreamy lyrics? Do we love in deed as well as with words? (1 John 3:18)

Loving the hate

 Jesus often depicted the most hated people of His day, like the tax collector (Luke 18), as exemplars of God's righteousness, mercy, and love. Who do you believe you should hate, or who do you hate in spite of God's commands and examples to love your neighbor?

The funnest king

Daniel describes a lavish party thrown by a dishonorable king, where sacred temple vessels were misused (Dan 5). But beyond the objects, the people—meant for holy worship—were also misused, reduced to props in the king’s spectacle. How do you misuse the sacred vessels called people?

Killing it with the letter of the law

Many Christians focus on Old Testament law to judge others, but Paul knew true life comes from loving ministry, investing in others, rather than in pronouncing legalistic judgements (2 Co 3:6). Are you investing in people with love, or just offering judgment?

Greed covered by nobility

A woman lovingly anointed Jesus’s feet, but the disciples masked their greed with noble-sounding criticism over the cost (Mark 14). When have you used virtue to disguise self-interest?

Stop the Story

 Jesus's revolutionary act of engaging conversation with a Samaritan woman resulted in a city-wide revival (John 4). How might God's kingdom be promoted if the church followed Jesus's example of receiving and empowering those our society shuns?

If you must perform good works...

Christians reconcile James and Paul by understanding that true faith produces good works (James 2, Eph 2). Yet today, “works” are often reduced to worship, recruitment, or politics—far from James’ call to care for those in need. So, how does your faith show up in action?

 

Prove me wrong, or just eat cookies

 Christians seem to take great pride and pleasure in scoring verbal 'wins' and in 'owning' their competition. When give the same opportunity, Paul refuses to engage in debate and instead supports another preacher who seems to be gaining in popularity (1 Co 3:1-9).  Do you look for 'spiritual fights' or do you follow Jesus's example of seeking peace?

Demoniz-er

Christians seem to 'demonize' each other even though we know that God loves all of us the same way and to the same degree (Titus 2:11). Who do you find yourself 'demonizing' or condemning as excluded from God's love?