Paying Taxes to Caesar

To view the Leader Guide for this week, click here.

To view a .docx version of this guide, click here.

Introduction 

Last week, we discussed Jesus’s parable about the Prodigal Son and how we can celebrate when people turn to/back to Jesus. We talked about how we can show mercy and love that resembles God’s love during these times.  

During the “Apply” section last week, everyone was encouraged to write down specific action steps they would work on throughout the week. Take some time to discuss how that went with the group. 

This week we will be discussing the story of Jesus’s interaction with some religious leaders when they tried to ask him about whether they should pay taxes to Caesar, as well as his response.  

First, begin your meeting in prayer for God’s blessing over this time with your group. 

Connect  

• What is something in your life that feels like it “owns” a lot of your time or attention right now?
• Have you ever had to give something valuable back to someone?
  • What was that like?

Opening Thought 

We have a lot pulling at us for our attention: jobs, family, goals, bills. It can feel like there’s not enough of us to go around, and it can be challenging to know what deserves our attention or loyalty. In this week’s story, Jesus is asked a tough question that challenges those very things. Through his response, we’re invited to reflect on who we belong to and how that shapes what we give our lives to. 

This leads us to our main idea for this week:  

Main idea for the week

We should give our whole lives to God because we belong to him.

Here’s where we are this week

Jesus has been teaching about what it looks like to follow God fully, while also challenging the people/leaders of his time’s understanding of what truly holds value within their culture. Instead of judgement, God desires mercy and forgiveness to be shown. Instead of trying to make money off of other people, we should be selflessly giving away our possessions to others. Jesus’ purpose is to show his followers a different path to take, which he himself is the example and the beacon of.  

Unpack 

Read each set of verses out loud as a group, making observations as you go. Afterward discuss each of the connected questions before moving to the next set of verses: 

Read

Matthew 22:15-22 

Unpack

• What stands out to you in this story about Jesus and the way he responds?
  • What is confusing or surprising to you about these verses?
    • What makes these things stand out?
• Why did Jesus ask about who was on the coin? How did Caesar’s image on the coin make it belong to him?

Genesis 1:26 says that God “[made] human beings’ in [God’s] image, to be like [God]. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” 

• What does this verse say about who we belong to considering the verses in Matthew that we just read?
  • How often do you dwell on the fact that you belong to God in your daily life? What would change in your life if you did this?
  • How can we apply Jesus’ statement from verse 21 of this week’s verses to “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God” in our daily lives, in light of Genesis 1:26?
• If we belong to God, what does this mean about where our focus should be directed when it comes to faith, money, and earthly authorities?
  • How should this inform our thoughts and actions if these do not align?
    • When have you seen these two obligations clash within your life? How have you worked through this?
    • How do you find a balance between being responsible in everyday life and staying focused on Jesus?
      • What could help you stay grounded in your faith while dealing with everyday realities like work, school, governing bodies, etc?
• How can Jesus’ approach to this challenging situation guide us how we deal with complex issues and interactions?
  • What does Jesus’ focus on what belongs to God show us about how we can respond when life isn’t straightforward?

Apply 

Based on the verses we just read, there are some things that we can do in response. Take a moment to discuss these questions as a group to decide what your personal action steps for the week can be: 

• What is one way you will begin reminding yourself that you belong to God and were made in his image?
• How will you try to respect your obligations to the earthly authorities we have while also holding God as the highest authority in your life?
  • What is one intentional choice you could make this week to reflect that truth?
• Looking back at our main idea for the week (We should give our whole lives to God because we belong to him), what could it look like to give our whole lives to him, not just in big decisions, but in our everyday actions, attitudes, and choices?”

Closing 

Read the first section to your group, then read the verse out loud to the group, and finally, move to the Prayer and Verses section: 

Sometimes our focus can feel like we’re being pulled in multiple directions. Jesus’ response shows that our identity is not shaped by the world’s expectations but should be shaped by God instead. In a world that pulls in many directions, there is peace in knowing that what truly matters is not found in things of this world, but in what is anchored in him 

Prayer and Verses 

Ask for prayer requests and conclude your time with prayer then share the Key Verse for the Week and Daily Devotional Verses with the group. 

Thematic Reflection Verse for the Week

*Read this verse, then encourage the practice of memorization through the week. 

Ephesians 2:10 

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” 

**When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us. 

Daily Devotional Verses  

Use the S.O.A.P. method to reflect on the verses below. 

Scripture: Read the verses several times. Reading out loud can be helpful as well. 
Observation: What can you see about the scripture you read? 
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read? 
Prayer: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned. 

Day 1: Psalm 37:23 

Day 2: Galatians 5:25 

Day 3: Acts 17:28 

Day 4: Psalm 139:14 

Day 5: Psalm 100:3 

Day 6: 2 Corinthians 4:18