Here is a Day by Day guide to learning and applying:
Read: the daily Scriptures and Answer the Question from the sermon.
Create: Create your own questions/comments from the scriptures
Discuss: Talk about your questions and reactions to the scriptures.
3/9/25
Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16, Ephesians 2, and Luke 23:32-43
Title: The Scandal of Grace.
BIG IDEA: The man on the middle cross said I could come.
Memory Verse:
REMINDER:
A Disciple...Loves All People, Discovers Identity in Jesus, Deepens Relationship with Jesus.
What have I done this week to feed my soul, feed others, and feed my flesh?
What stood out to you in the sermon this week?
What did God reveal to you in the Scriptures this week, maybe for the first time?
Scripture Study Tip
What does it say, What does it mean, and How do I apply it to my daily life.
This past/current week:
How were you obedient to God?
Have you been reading/listening to the Psalms?
Where did you struggle?
READ Ephesians 2 and Luke 23:32-43
Describe the attitude and experience of each of the criminals on either side of Jesus.
What do Jesus’s words to the repentant criminal on the cross reveal about the salvation process and God's character?
Read Matthew 20:1-16
What does the parable of the workers reveal about God's character?
How are the actions of the Master “fair”?
Share a time when you felt you were treated unfairly or have been confused by what God
allowed to happen.
What steps did you take, or could you take, to surrender that to Jesus?
Consider the letter from the woman on death row. What makes the Grace of Jesus
scandalous?
What are the reasons you don’t fully understand the GRACE of JESUS?
Have you ever wondered, am I really saved, or have I done something to lose my salvation?
What does the Bible say about that?
If a non-believer asks what you must do to get into heaven, what will you say?
ACTION STEP
A Disciple…Loves All People, Discovers Identity in Jesus, Deepens Relationship with Jesus
Pray for an opportunity this week to tell at least one person (maybe your “one more”) how the criminal on the cross got into heaven. “The Man on the middle cross said I could come.”
3/2/25
Scripture: Luke 19 1-10 Luke 19:1-10 ESV
[1] He entered Jericho and was passing through. [2] And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. [3] And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. [4] So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. [5] And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” [6] So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. [7] And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” [8] And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” [9] And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. [10] For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Key Theme:
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." – Luke 19:10
Reflection:
Imagine Zacchaeus for a moment. Rich, but hated. Powerful, but empty. He had everything the world says should make you happy, yet when he heard Jesus was coming, he ran ahead and climbed a tree just to get a glimpse.
Have you ever felt like that? Like there’s something missing, like no matter how much success, money, or approval you gain, it never really satisfies?
Zacchaeus knew something was off. Maybe he wasn’t sure what he needed, but he knew who he wanted to see—Jesus.
And here’s what’s beautiful: Jesus doesn’t walk past him. He doesn’t scold him. He doesn’t demand that Zacchaeus clean up his act first. Instead, He calls him by name and invites Himself over for dinner.
Think about that for a second—Zacchaeus was a sinner, a cheat, a man who used people for his own gain. And yet, Jesus came for him.
Questions to Consider:
1. Are there areas in your life where you feel like Zacchaeus? Maybe you feel like you don’t measure up, or maybe you’ve placed your security in things that don’t truly satisfy.
2. How do you think you would have reacted if you were in the crowd that day? Would you have been excited for Zacchaeus, or would you have been bitter that Jesus chose to spend time with "someone like him"?
3. What tree are you climbing? What are you trying to do to "get closer to Jesus" when in reality, He’s already calling your name?
Jesus Changes Everything
Zacchaeus doesn’t just have a nice meal with Jesus—he changes. He repents, promises to give half of his wealth to the poor, and to pay back four times what he stole. His life was transformed not because of guilt or pressure, but because of grace.
Jesus never said, "Fix your life first, then follow me." Instead, He calls us as we are—and then changes us completely.
Question for Reflection at Home:
What is one area in your life that needs transformation?
Is there a sin, a habit, or a mindset that Jesus is calling you to surrender?
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for seeing me, for calling me by name, and for coming down to rescue me. Help me to stop trying to reach You on my own. Change me like You changed Zacchaeus. Show me where I need to surrender, where I need to make things right, and where I need to trust You more. Thank You for Your grace. Amen.
Constant Reminder
Six questions for gospel-centered discernment. Memorize and ask these six questions to discern and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life.
G - God's glory: Will this decision primarily be about my glory or God's glory?
O - Other Christians: What do other gospel-saturated, Christ-centered, wise friends say about this upcoming decision?
S - Scripture: Does the Bible command, permit, or prohibit this decision? What does inerrant, infallible Scripture say?
P - Prayer: Have you abided with, rested in, asked from, listened to and waited on God in this decision over time?
E - Evangelism: Will this decision give me the opportunity to share the gospel and invite people to faith in Jesus?
L - Lifestyle: Will this decision lead me to live a lifestyle of love marked by the Fruit of the Spirit and holiness?
