GSCC Small Group 03-24-07

Matthew 22:15-22

15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" 18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" 21 "Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." 22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

1. Describe one thing that you don’t agree with the government.

2. The Pharisees and the Herodians disrespected each other, why would the Pharisee want to bring them along to talk to Jesus?

3. How did they try to trap Jesus? What was the plot?

4. Jesus did more than just answered the Pharisees with wit, He also taught them, and us today, an important truth. What do you think Jesus had in mind when he said “Give to Caesar what is Caesar's”? What are Caesar’s?

5. What are God’s? How do we give God what‘s God’s?

6. The coins bear the image of Caesar, and we bear the image of God. What does it mean to you that we are likened to God’s “coin”?

7. Does this story help you know more about Jesus? How so?