Engaging Hearts: The Transformative Power of Jesus' Questions

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Questions

Jesus used questions to engage deeply with individuals, revealing their true thoughts and intentions. Questions can bridge our differences and foster understanding, making them a powerful tool in our spiritual journey. Reflect on how you can use questions to deepen your relationships and understanding of others. Jesus' questions were not just for the sake of conversation but were designed to probe deeply into the hearts and minds of those He encountered. By asking questions, Jesus revealed truths and challenged individuals to reflect on their lives.

Consider how you can use questions in your own life to foster deeper connections and understanding. Are there areas in your relationships where asking thoughtful questions could lead to greater empathy and insight? Reflect on the power of questions and how they can be a tool for spiritual growth and connection.

[01:22]

James 1:19 (ESV): "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger."

Reflection: Think of a recent conversation where you could have asked more questions to understand the other person better. How can you approach your next conversation with a mindset of curiosity and empathy?

Day 2: Salt and Light

Jesus' question about salt losing its saltiness challenges us to examine our effectiveness as His followers. Are we bringing out the God-flavors in our environments, or have we become bland and ineffective? Reflect on areas in your life where you may have lost your saltiness and seek to renew your commitment to being a positive influence. Jesus used the metaphor of salt to illustrate the importance of maintaining our distinctiveness and effectiveness as His followers.

Consider how you can bring out the God-flavors in your surroundings. Are there areas in your life where you have become complacent or ineffective in your witness? Reflect on how you can renew your commitment to being a positive influence and living out your faith in a way that impacts those around you.

[08:03]

Colossians 4:6 (ESV): "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you feel you have lost your saltiness. What steps can you take this week to renew your commitment to being a positive influence in that area?

Day 3: Desire for Healing

The question "Do you want to get well?" addresses not just physical ailments but also our deeper issues of identity and desire for change. Consider whether you have allowed your struggles to define you and whether you truly desire the transformation that Jesus offers. Embrace the hope and healing that comes from Jesus. This question goes beyond the physical ailment and addresses the deeper issue of identity and desire for change.

Reflect on whether you have allowed your struggles to define you. Do you truly desire the transformation that Jesus offers, or have you become comfortable in your current state? Embrace the hope and healing that comes from Jesus and consider how you can actively seek the change He offers.

[14:50]

Jeremiah 17:14 (ESV): "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise."

Reflection: Think about a struggle or challenge you are currently facing. Do you truly desire healing and transformation in this area? What steps can you take to actively seek the change that Jesus offers?

Day 4: Obedience and Foundation

Jesus' question about calling Him "Lord" without obedience highlights the importance of a strong foundation in our faith. True discipleship involves daily, consistent obedience to Jesus' teachings, which builds a foundation that can withstand life's storms. Reflect on areas where you may struggle with obedience and seek to align your life with His commands. Calling Jesus "Lord" requires a life of submission and adherence to His teachings.

Consider areas in your life where you may struggle with obedience. Are there specific commands or teachings of Jesus that you find difficult to follow? Reflect on how you can align your life with His commands and build a strong foundation in your faith.

[22:07]

Luke 6:46-48 (ESV): "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built."

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you struggle with obedience to Jesus' teachings. What practical steps can you take this week to align your actions with His commands?

Day 5: Identity in Christ

Our identity should not be derived from our struggles, achievements, or societal labels but from our relationship with Jesus. Reflect on how you see yourself and ensure that your identity is rooted in Christ. This perspective will help you navigate life's challenges with a sense of purpose and belonging. Our identity in Christ provides a foundation that is unshakable, regardless of the circumstances we face.

Consider how you see yourself and whether your identity is rooted in Christ. Are there areas where you have allowed your struggles, achievements, or societal labels to define you? Reflect on how you can root your identity in your relationship with Jesus and navigate life's challenges with a sense of purpose and belonging.

[19:06]

Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Reflection: Reflect on how you currently see yourself. Are there aspects of your identity that are not rooted in Christ? How can you shift your perspective to ensure that your identity is firmly grounded in your relationship with Jesus?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound technique Jesus used to engage with people: asking questions. These questions were not just for the sake of conversation but were designed to probe deeply into the hearts and minds of those He encountered. We began by discussing the power of questions and how they can bridge our differences and foster understanding. Jesus, as the master questioner, used questions to reveal truths and challenge individuals to reflect on their lives.

The first question we examined was from Matthew, where Jesus asks about the saltiness of salt. This rhetorical question challenges us to reflect on our role in the world. Are we living lives that bring out the God-flavors in our surroundings, or have we lost our saltiness, becoming ineffective in our witness?

The second question, from John, was directed at a man who had been an invalid for 38 years: "Do you want to get well?" This question goes beyond the physical ailment and addresses the deeper issue of identity and desire for change. It prompts us to consider whether we have allowed our struggles to define us and whether we truly desire the transformation that Jesus offers.

The final question, from Luke, is perhaps the most challenging: "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?" This question underscores the importance of obedience and the foundation of our faith. It reminds us that calling Jesus "Lord" requires a life of submission and adherence to His teachings, which ultimately leads to a life that can withstand the storms of life.

###

Key Takeaways

1. flavors in our environments, or have we become bland and ineffective? Reflect on areas in your life where you may have lost your saltiness and seek to renew your commitment to being a positive influence. [08:03]
3. Desire for Healing: The question "Do you want to get well?" addresses not just physical ailments but also our deeper issues of identity and desire for change. Consider whether you have allowed your struggles to define you and whether you truly desire the transformation that Jesus offers. Embrace the hope and healing that comes from Jesus.

4. Obedience and Foundation: Jesus' question about calling Him "Lord" without obedience highlights the importance of a strong foundation in our faith. True discipleship involves daily, consistent obedience to Jesus' teachings, which builds a foundation that can withstand life's storms. Reflect on areas where you may struggle with obedience and seek to align your life with His commands.

5. Identity in Christ: Our identity should not be derived from our struggles, achievements, or societal labels but from our relationship with Jesus. Reflect on how you see yourself and ensure that your identity is rooted in Christ. This perspective will help you navigate life's challenges with a sense of purpose and belonging.

### [08:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:22] - Introduction to Jesus' Questions
[02:23] - The Power of Questions
[05:49] - Jesus' Use of Questions
[07:14] - Prayer Pause
[08:03] - Question 1: Salt and Light
[10:09] - Rhetorical Questions
[12:00] - Reflecting on Our Saltiness
[13:28] - Prayer Pause
[14:50] - Question 2: Do You Want to Get Well?
[17:35] - Identity and Healing
[19:42] - Prayer Pause
[20:20] - Trivial Questions
[21:38] - Question 3: Why Do You Call Me Lord?
[22:36] - The Importance of Obedience
[24:33] - The Beauty of Obedience
[27:52] - Prayer Pause
[28:33] - Reflecting on Jesus' Questions
[29:47] - Concluding Prayer
[30:30] - Communion Introduction
[31:09] - The Story of Communion
[32:13] - Remembering Jesus
[33:24] - Communion's Past, Present, and Future

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Jesus mean when He refers to His followers as the "salt of the earth" in Matthew 5:13? How does He describe the consequences of losing one's saltiness? [08:03]
In John 5:6, why does Jesus ask the invalid man if he wants to get well? What is the man's initial response to Jesus' question? [14:50]
According to Luke 6:46-48, what is the difference between the two houses described by Jesus? What does each house represent in terms of obedience to His teachings? [22:07]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus uses the metaphor of salt to describe His followers' role in the world? How does this metaphor challenge us to reflect on our effectiveness as Christians? [08:03]
What deeper issues might Jesus be addressing when He asks the invalid man if he wants to get well? How does this question relate to our own struggles and desires for change? [14:50]
How does Jesus' question in Luke 6:46-48 about calling Him "Lord" without obedience highlight the importance of a strong foundation in faith? What does this foundation look like in practical terms? [22:07]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you feel you have lost your "saltiness"? What steps can you take to renew your commitment to being a positive influence in your environment? [08:03]
Consider the question "Do you want to get well?" in the context of your own life. Are there struggles or issues that you have allowed to define you? How can you embrace the transformation that Jesus offers? [14:50]
Jesus asks, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?" Are there areas in your life where you struggle with obedience to Jesus' teachings? What practical steps can you take to align your actions with His commands? [22:07]
Think about your identity: Is it rooted in Christ, or have you allowed other aspects of your life (such as struggles, achievements, or societal labels) to define you? How can you ensure that your identity is firmly grounded in your relationship with Jesus? [19:06]
Reflect on the importance of daily, consistent obedience to Jesus' teachings. What are some simple, practical ways you can practice obedience in your daily life? How can this build a strong foundation for your faith? [27:52]
How can you use questions in your interactions with others to deepen your relationships and foster understanding? Think of a specific situation where asking a thoughtful question could make a positive impact. [01:22]
In what ways can you be a "light" in your community, making a noticeable difference? Identify one specific action you can take this week to shine the light of Christ in your surroundings. [12:00]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Since Jesus, our creator, became one of us, he knows the most intimate and practical ways humans work. This is why we see multiple examples of Jesus using questions to break into the lives of those around him. And every one of his questions was based on the needs of the one he was questioning." [05:49] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Salt that loses its flavor still looks on the surface like good salt. Looking like a Christian and going through the motions but living a bland life of half-hearted commitment and comfort is no good to anyone. We're to be the preservative in the world, to be part of the solution to a world rotting due to sin's corruption, to bring out the God tastes like love, truth, beauty." [10:45] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Do you want to get well? It's a very odd question. Who wouldn't want that? But Jesus sees not only our outside but our insides as well in their complexity and all their brokenness. For decades this man built an identity and lifestyle around his disability." [16:08] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "What we fail to understand is obedience to Jesus is designed for our thriving. We as human beings will function the best when we have a love-built framework around us constructed by our creator." [23:55] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The most important thing in discipleship is our daily consistent obedience to him in the simple things. Again, the most important thing in discipleship is our daily consistent obedience to him in simple things." [27:13] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Are there places in our lives where we have lost our saltiness? Maybe we're just going through the motions at work or at school, where we're just part of the masses. These are the very places that God's placed us to be seasoning." [12:00] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Having a mental health issue or a disability doesn't mean you're identified by that thing or defined by that thing. 38 years is a long time for the patterns and routines and attitudes and mindsets of life to be cemented into place. These are never easily given up. It may often feel actually easier to hold on to what's familiar even if it's detrimental to our lives." [16:56] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The solution is not to have the storm go away but to have a deep enough Jesus foundation to endure. But that foundation is gained only by my surrender in obedience to the authority of Jesus in my life and my complete submission to his kingship over me." [23:12] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Our obedience protects and promotes us to live in the kingdom reality of reflecting Jesus who modeled for us obedience to the Father through all the storms he faced. Jesus teaches us to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us, to give to those in need, to lend and expect nothing in return, to exercise mercy rather than judgment, to forgive freely." [26:36] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Let's conclude the message in prayer. Let's pray together. Many of you who use Lectio 365 will find these words familiar. Father, help me to live this day to the full being true to you in everything I do. Jesus, help me to give myself away to others being kind to everyone I meet. Spirit, help me to love the lost proclaiming Christ in all I do or say. Amen." [29:47] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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