1) Israel was occupied by the Roman Empire. The Pharisees (resisters) and
Herodians (collaborators) set aside their political differences in
order to lay a trap for Jesus. What do you think would have happened if
he had said, "No way, paying taxes to the emperor is against God's law!" or "Yes, totally. Pay those taxes!"
2) Describe a time when you felt trapped by conflicting priorities, beliefs, or convictions. How did you navigate the tension?
3) Jesus says to give back to Caesar what is Caesar's and back to God what is God's. Christians have wrestled with what this means for us as citizens in the world (but of the kingdom). They've basically offered three answers: 1) don't pay taxes 2) pay taxes - but remember that
obeying the government is subject to obeying God and 3) pay taxes - because obeying the government is equivalent to obeying God. Which of these do you agree with most?
4) If the coin belongs to the emperor then what belongs to God? How does the use of your money, time, energy, resources, and gifts reflect the truth that you (and others) are created in the image of God?
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