Opening Question:

Share about something or someone you care deeply about. How has that affection changed the way you spend your time, money, or energy? What does that reveal about the connection between what we love and how we live?

Key Takeaways:

• Following Jesus means becoming a contributor, not just a consumer—we ask, “What can I give?” rather than only, “What can I get?”
• Devotion grows through exposure to Jesus. The more clearly we see who Jesus is and what He has done for us, the more our hearts and lives begin to change.
• Jesus changes our affection, which changes our attention. As we grow to love what Jesus loves, we begin noticing people and needs we may have overlooked before.
• God doesn’t open our eyes to needs simply so we can recognize them; He calls us to respond. Genuine faith moves beyond agreement into action.
• There is a deeper joy in participating in what God is doing than simply watching from the sidelines. God invites each of us to play a part in reaching people and meeting needs.

Discussion Questions:

Part 1: From Consumers to Contributors

1. In Acts 2:37–47, the people who heard the message about Jesus responded by asking, “What shall we do?” They then devoted themselves to learning, community, prayer, and generosity. What stands out to you about their response? How is asking “What can I do?” different from asking “What do I get?” when it comes to following Jesus?
2. The pastor described how people will often make sacrifices for things they love, whether it’s a sports team, a relationship, or a career. What does the way you spend your time, money, and energy reveal about what matters most to you? Where might Jesus be inviting you to reorder your priorities?

Part 2: How Jesus Changes What We See

1. In Luke 19:1–10, Zacchaeus encounters Jesus and responds by giving half of his possessions to the poor and paying back those he had cheated. No one had to convince him to do it. What do you think changed in Zacchaeus when he encountered Jesus? How might a growing understanding of Jesus change the way we view our possessions, relationships, or priorities?
2. In Luke 10:30–37, the priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan all encountered a wounded man, but only the Samaritan stopped to help. Why do you think two people might notice a need but choose not to respond, while someone else takes action? What are some needs in your church, community, workplace, or neighborhood that you might be overlooking? How could seeing people through Jesus’ eyes change your response?

Part 3: Moving from Awareness to Action

1. James 1:22–24 compares someone who hears God’s Word but doesn’t act on it to a person who looks in a mirror and then walks away without making any changes. Why do you think it’s possible to hear biblical truth, agree with it, and still not live it out? Is there an area of your faith where you’ve become comfortable agreeing with Jesus without taking the next step of obedience?
2. The pastor asked, “What if the miracle somebody else is praying for begins with the action you’ve been putting off?” Think about one practical way you could contribute this week—serving someone, being generous, inviting someone to church, giving up a personal preference, or noticing someone who feels overlooked. What is one specific action you can take, and what might be holding you back from taking it?