By name.

 Paul stayed connected to the people he served long after he left their cities (Phil. 1). Are you truly connected to the people you worship with—or keeping your distance. And who have you quietly decided you won’t connect with at all?

Sorry Paul

Paul was jailed for healing because the system protected oppression. The gospel still calls us to confront injustice and push for change. Where is someone being crushed today—and what bold, Christ‑shaped action can you take? Acts 16

Knocking the scales from the eyes

 When Ananias prayed for Paul, “something like scales” fell from his eyes (Acts 9). What scales still cling to ours? Are we so absorbed in our own concerns that we fail to see the suffering, injustice, and harm unfolding around us?

Book Beating

 After the crucifixion, fear locked the disciples away. The world answered Jesus’s love with violence, but the risen Christ brought peace (John 20). We follow Him when we choose love over fear, letting compassion—not power—be what changes the world.

Violence vs Faith

Christian violence contradicts Jesus’s way. Across history, the church has ignored Him and used force to secure conversion and control. In John 19:1–16, the crowd chooses the violent Barabbas over the peaceful Jesus—a warning about our own temptation to trust power over faith.

Leading with a towel

When Jesus washed His disciples' feet, he dismantled the "Power Over" hierarchy and illustrated the power of servanthood (John 13). Do you find yourself seeking power and control over those around you, or do approach everyone with humility and care?

Where is Jesus?

 Jesus left Lazarus's family and friends to wonder about where He was when they needed Him most. In His absence, Lazarus died (John 11). Where do you think Jesus is when we need Him? Is He in Heaven being mysterious or is He in your heart working through your life? 

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

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

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? 

I can't wait for Jesus to return, or can I?

Christians often anticipate Christ’s return, but our motives can be murky—are we seeking reward, vindication, or true redemption? If we truly grasped what the second coming entails, our eagerness might give way to humility. Malachi 3

 

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?

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?