Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 17:24-27 (NLT) ~Payment of the Temple Tax~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Jesus was not looking to offend. God is the one that provides. Fearing change and how provision will come, Jesus always tells His people to not be afraid. Pay your taxes. Jesus paid it all, giving does not put us in good standing, we give because we still have areas of our hearts that Jesus is conquering.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 17: 14-23 (NLT) ~Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy, Jesus Again Predicts His Death~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Here the lack of faith was with the disciples how have spent so much time with Jesus already. Times Jesus has told people that their faith has healed them. The lifestyle of fasting. The power of the Holy Spirit works the authority God has given His followers.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 17: 1-13 (NLT) ~Jesus Predicts His Death~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Peter’s response from bewilderment, not knowing what to say. God using Peter’s response to once again point to Jesus as the one we should listen to and follow His teachings. God moves in unexpected ways, so expect the unexpected and look at the ordinary differently.

Reading Psalms 22:22-31 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The pictures painted by David to convey His circumstance turns to praising the LORD. In his despair, David was able to see the hope and victory of God. Losing your life to find it. Keeping things in context and perspective. All Glory to God!

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 16:21-28 (NLT) ~Jesus Predicts His Death~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Jesus calls Peter out for seeing things from only a human perspective right after telling Peter that He was give revelation from God. Understanding the response to tell Jesus that it’s going to be alright. The temptation to not turn away from the challenge of the Cross was real. “Did God really say?”

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 16:13-20 (NLT) ~Peter’s Declaration about Jesus~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. People not knowing what to expect. The things people come up with to make sense of what they see and experience. God brings the revelation. The rock of revelation is Jesus, the cornerstone, and the capstone. Jesus is the Gate, the keys to the kingdom is the revelation that Jesus is the Messiah. We have the awesome role to play in bringing people to the gate.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 16:1-12 (NLT) ~Leaders Demand a Miraculous Sign, Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The Pharisees and Sadducees wanting a sign, Jesus consistent response. Do we ask for signs from God over and over? Difference from longing for God and wanting God to prove Himself to you. The warning of Jesus to beware. Twice Jesus multiplies the bread and twice they ask for a sign. The yeast of the Pharisees and how it spreads.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 15:32-39 (NLT) ~Jesus Feeds Four Thousand~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Jesus always wanting to give more while the disciples are always wanting to send the people away. Humans do not easily have faith that God will show up, instead operate in a scarcity mindset. The left over baskets show the abundance available that we cannot see.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 15:21-31 (NLT) ~The Faith of the Gentile Woman, Jesus Heals Many People~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Jesus giving the opportunity for the Gentile woman to walk out her faith. Gentiles were commonly called “dogs” because they were pagans. The annoyance is used as a great example of faith. The world called the woman a dog because of where she was born. God called her “dear, woman”.

Reading from The Gospel According Matthew 15:10-20 (NLT) ~Jesus Teaches About Inner Purity Cont.~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Jesus continues to teach the crowd after rebuking the Pharisees for questioning the disciples’ lack of hand washing. Defilement is a heart issue we cannot fix on our own. The patience of Jesus. Wanting people to see our point of view instead of looking at someone else’s perspective and seeing a bigger picture. Please Wash Your Hands.