1. The Evaluation of Others

  - John 7:24 – "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."
  - Romans 2:1 – "Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things."
  - James 4:12 – "There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?"

Reflection Questions:

  - Am I trying to help someone or condemn them?
  - Am I judging others by a standard I refuse to apply to myself?
  - Am I confusing biblical discernment with personal criticism?

2. The Examination of Ourselves

  - Psalm 139:23-24 – "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way."
  - 2 Corinthians 13:5 – "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?"
  - Galatians 6:1 – "Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted."

Reflection Questions:

  - Am I more concerned about someone else's sin than my own?
  - When was the last time I allowed God's Word to correct me?
  - Am I trying to remove someone else's speck while ignoring my own log?

Key Thought: Before you point out the sin in someone else's life, be willing to confront the sin in your own.

3. The Exercise of Discernment

  - Proverbs 9:7-8 – "He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself, and he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man and he will love you."
  - Proverbs 23:9 – "Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words."
  - 1 Peter 3:15 – "But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."

Reflection Questions:

  - Am I using wisdom in how I approach difficult conversations?
  - Am I sharing truth with love and discernment?
  - Do I recognize when someone is genuinely seeking truth or simply looking for an argument?

Key Thought: We are called to share God's truth with everyone, but we must use wisdom in how we handle it.

1. Refrain from Worry

Questions for Application:

  - What am I worrying about that is beyond my control?
  - Has my worry become greater than my trust in God?
  - What has worrying actually accomplished in my life?

Key Thought: Worry will not change your circumstances, but it can change how you experience them.

2. Reflect on God’s Faithfulness

Questions for Application:

  - When was the last time I stopped to consider God's faithfulness?
  - Am I focusing more on what I lack than on what God has already provided?
  - How has God carried me through difficult seasons in the past?

Key Thought: When worry fills our vision with problems, reflecting on God's faithfulness reminds us of His care.

3. Rely on God’s Provision

Questions for Application:

  - Am I seeking God's kingdom first or simply asking Him to bless my plans?
  - What would change if I trusted God with the outcome instead of trying to control everything?
  - Am I carrying tomorrow's burdens at the expense of today's responsibilities?

Key Thought: Trusting God does not mean we stop planning or working. It means we stop acting as though everything depends on us.

Scripture to Reflect On: Psalm 23:1–6

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

1. Examine Your Treasure (Matthew 6:19-21)

  - What do I value most in my life?
  - Where do I invest the majority of my time, energy, and resources?
  - What am I most afraid of losing?
  - Am I investing more in temporary treasures or eternal things?
  - If someone examined my life, what would they conclude I treasure most?
Read: Luke 12:15; Colossians 3:1-2; 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Application: Our hearts follow our treasures. If we want to understand what has captured our hearts, we must examine what we consistently value and pursue.

2. Evaluate Your Focus (Matthew 6:22–23)

  - What consistently occupies my thoughts?
  - What receives more of my attention than God's Word?
  - Am I viewing my circumstances through the truth of Scripture or through my personal desires?
  - Has my pursuit of earthly things caused me to neglect eternal things?
  - Is there something I want so badly that I am willing to compromise my convictions to obtain it?
Read: Proverbs 4:25-27; Psalm 119:37; Hebrews 12:1-2

Application: What repeatedly captures our attention can begin to shape our perspective. When our focus becomes fixed on earthly things, we can lose sight of what matters eternally.

3. Establish Your Master (Matthew 6:24)

  - Who am I ultimately trying to please?
  - When God's Word conflicts with my desires, which one wins?
  - Am I willing to obey God even when obedience costs me something I value?
  - Is there anything I would choose over faithfulness to Christ?
  - If someone examined my decisions rather than my words, would they conclude that God is my Master?
Read: Joshua 24:15; Romans 6:16; Revelation 2:1-5

Application: We may claim that God is first in our lives, but our decisions reveal what truly rules our hearts. Jesus reminds us that we cannot serve two masters.

Matthew 5:13–16 - Salt & Light
Ephesians 5:8 -“You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.”
1 Peter 2:9 - Called to “proclaim the excellencies” of God
Ephesians 2:10 - Created for good works

Good Friday (The Cross Fulfilled)
John 19:1-30

John 19:30- On Good Friday, we celebrate and mourn the passing of our Lord and Savior. Also, we remember these powerful words that Jesus had spoken from the cross, “It Is Finished”. These three simple words set in course the most radical shift in history. They are an anthem that still holds together the foundations of our belief system today. As Jesus Dies on the cross, He also kills some things that distort God’s original design for His creation.

When Jesus says “It is Finished”, He is saying:
* Sin is Finished
* Death is Finished
* Satan Is Finished
* Empty Religion is Finished
* Pride is Finished
* Shame is Finished
* Self Righteousness is Finished

It is because of these simple words and the purpose behind them, we can experience life with God. So remember this, although Jesus said “It is Finished”, our life with Him is just getting started!

1. What do you think Jesus meant when He said, “It is finished”?

2. How does it make you feel knowing Jesus paid for all our sins?

3. Is there anything you’re still trying to “earn” from God instead of trusting Him?

4. Is there something in your life that needs to be “Finished”?

Maundy Thursday (Supper and Betrayal)

John 13:1-17: Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet
In this passage, Jesus kneels to wash the disciples' feet. The King of Kings assumes a low, humbling position to demonstrate that humility, love, and purpose supersede power and position. Jesus did this to serve, to be followed, and to set an example.

1. Why do you think the disciples were uncomfortable with Jesus washing their feet?
2. What does this show us about who Jesus is?
3. Why is it sometimes hard for us to serve others?
4. What is one way you can serve someone this week?

Luke 22:19-20: The Last Supper
Jesus shares the Last Supper with His disciples, providing the bread and the cup as a way to remember Him. He knew His body would be broken and His blood poured out, yet He chose this path regardless.

1. What do the bread and cup represent?
2. Why is it important for us to remember what Jesus did?
3. How does knowing Jesus chose the cross change how you see Him?

Luke 22:47-48: The Betrayal
In the garden, Judas approaches Jesus with a kiss—a gesture normally signifying love and fellowship—to betray Him to the crowd. Despite the pain of this betrayal by someone close to Him, Jesus still chose the cross.

1. How do you think Jesus felt being betrayed by someone close to Him?
2. Why do you think Judas chose to betray Jesus?
3. Have you ever been hurt or let down by someone?
4. How does Jesus’ response challenge the way we respond to others?

Holy Wednesday: What is Jesus Worth to you? (Matthew 26:6-16)
In this passage, there are two contrasting situations that happen.
 The first being, a woman came to Jesus and poured out something very valuable. This perfume was something that should be utilized at her own funeral. It was expensive because of its usefulness. Others thought it was a waste, but Jesus called it beautiful

She gave:
* Her Best
* From her Heart
* To show Jesus what he meant to her

The second situation is something quite opposite. Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, went to the religious leaders and asked what they would pay him to betray Jesus. He agreed to do it for thirty pieces of silver.

So in the same chapter, we see two opposite responses to Jesus:

* One person gives up something valuable for Jesus

* One person gives up Jesus for something valuable

1. Why did the woman give something so valuable to Jesus?
2. Why did Judas choose money over Jesus?

3. What are some things today that can pull us away from choosing Jesus?

4. What does it look like to give Jesus our best in everyday life?
5. Is there anything in your life right now you might be choosing over Jesus?

Holy Tuesday (The Seven Woes)Matthew 23:1-29
On Tuesday, Jesus has been challenged by the Pharisees. However, Jesus answers back with a rebuke of woes that challenges the very nature of their religious practice. Each woe that Jesus rebukes them with is an arrow of conviction that pierces through to their intentions and motives.

The Pharisees:
* Blocked others from knowing God.
* Focused on small rules instead of sensible love and justice.
* Looked good on the outside but sinful on the inside.
* Honored God with their words but not with their hearts.

• 1. What does it mean to “look right” on the outside but not be right on the inside?
• 2. Why do you think people sometimes pretend to be better than they are?
• 3. What are things God cares about more than just following rules?
• 4. Have you ever tried to look good instead of being honest? What happened?
• 5. What would it look like for your heart to be “clean” before God?

Holy Monday (The Temple and The Fig Tree) 
* Matthew 21:12-17: Jesus clears the temple of money changers and marketers. This is due to a shift of focus from worshipping God to pleasing flesh, distractions, and desires. 

Jesus wants our hearts to be a place where God is honored, not crowded out. 
* Matthew 21:18-19: Immediately following the Temple cleansing, Jesus and the disciples come across a Fig tree that looks healthy, but produces no fruit. Jesus then proceeds to curse the tree for not producing. 

God isn’t looking for people who just “look” faithful, He wants lives that actually produce fruit.

1. What’s the difference between looking like a Christian and actually following Jesus?

2. What kind of “fruit” should grow in our lives? 

3. Why do you think it’s easy to focus on appearances instead of our hearts?
4. What is one “fruit” you want God to grow in you right now?
5. How can we stay connected to Jesus so our lives actually produce fruit?