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What's The State Of Your Heart

October 25 | Discipleship Guide

Be Real Together:

Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together.
If you’re launching a new Group, trust and friendship take time to build. Take turns each week having someone share a bit of their story.

Read Together: Matthew 22:15-22 CSB

The Pharisees and Herodians try to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus sees through their hypocrisy and responds, “Give, then, to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” While we have responsibilities to the authorities God has placed over us, our ultimate allegiance belongs to Him. We bear God’s image, and He calls us to give Him our hearts, our lives, and our full submission. We cannot earn our way into His Kingdom; through Jesus, God freely offers us grace, joy, and salvation.

The One Question:
If you only have time for one question, ask this one.

If your life reflects what you truly value, what does it reveal about where your allegiance belongs?

Grow Together:
Use these questions to go deeper with your Group or for personal reflection.

  1. What stands out to you most in this passage? What do you notice about how Jesus responds to the Pharisees and Herodians?
  2. The Pharisees and Herodians flatter Jesus while secretly trying to trap Him. What does their behavior reveal about the state of their hearts? How can pride or self-interest keep us from seeing Jesus clearly?
  3. In this week's sermon, Chris Wise asked, “What is the state of your heart?” Read Psalm 139:23–24. Why can it be difficult to invite God to search our hearts honestly? What might keep us from doing so?
  4. Jesus tells them to give Caesar what belongs to Caesar and God what belongs to God. What responsibilities do we have as citizens, and where might our allegiance to Jesus require us to put obedience to God first?
  5. Chris emphasized that Caesar’s authority exists under God’s greater authority. What are some things in our culture that compete for our allegiance? How can we recognize when something has begun to take God’s place in our lives?
  6. Genesis 1:27 says we are created in God’s image. What does this truth, alongside Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:21, teach us about what we owe God?
  7. Chris said that we often want to be our own ultimate authority, but Jesus calls us to full submission. Where is it hardest for you to surrender control to Jesus? How might trusting His goodness lead to greater joy, peace, and hope?

Pray Together:

  • Ask God to search your heart and reveal any pride, anger, fear, or other attitudes keeping you from Him.
  • Thank Jesus that salvation is a gift of grace, not something we can earn.
  • Pray for wisdom to honor earthly authorities while remaining faithful to Jesus above all.
  • Ask God to deepen your allegiance to Jesus and help you reflect His character wherever He has placed you.

Next Steps:

  • Let God search your heart. Read Psalm 139:23–24 each day this week. Ask God to reveal one attitude or pattern He wants to change.
  • Identify a competing allegiance. Consider where your time, attention, money, or decisions reveal that something other than Jesus may be taking priority. Choose one practical change to realign your life with Him.
  • Receive the gift of grace. If you’ve been trying to earn God’s approval, take time to reflect on Ephesians 2:8–9. Thank Him for the salvation He freely offers through faith in Jesus.