WHAT WOULD JESUS DO… ABOUT DEPORTATIONS

WATCH FOR HONEST ANSWERS VS. HIDDEN AGENDAS (VV15–18)

1.  The Pharisees plot to “entangle him in his words” (v15), then flatter Jesus before asking their real question: “we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully … you are not swayed by appearances” (v16). What do you notice about how they approach Jesus?

2.  Their actual question was a trap: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (v17). In what ways was this a trick-question?

3.  Jesus responds, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?” (v18), seeing past the flattery to the “malice” behind the question. What does this teach us about discerning someone's true agenda behind a question?

4.  Conversations today (about politics, immigration, or other hot topics) often come loaded with an agenda rather than an honest search for truth. Where have you noticed this in your own conversations, online or in person?

5.  What would it look like for you to ask and answer hard questions with the same honesty Jesus modeled, rather than trying to score a point or protect an agenda?

WE'RE TO RESPECT GOVERNMENT AND REFLECT GOD (VV19–22)

1.  Jesus asks for a coin and asks, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” (v20), then concludes, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's” (v21). Why does Jesus use the coin itself to make this point, and what does the conclusion teach about a Christian's responsibility to both government and God?

2.  All money ultimately belongs to God. How does remembering this change the way you think about taxes, earning, saving, or giving?

3.  During Jesus's earthly life, Jesus lived entirely under Roman occupation, yet Jesus never broke the law or led a rebellion. What does this example teach us about living under a government we may disagree with?

4.  Jesus lived justly, even under an oppressive government (some say our country would have deported Jesus, but that assumes Jesus broke the law, which Jesus didn't). How does that shape how we think about calls for justice and compassion in conversations about immigration today?

5.  Justice (upholding the law, including for those who immigrated legally) and compassion (remembering people are made in the image of God) can feel like they're in tension. How can we hold both at the same time instead of choosing one over the other?

6.  How does remembering Jesus's ultimate kingship shape the way you engage hot-button political issues with hope rather than fear or anger?