If someone you loved asked, “Who do you say that I am?” you’d have an answer. You might say, “You are my friend. You are kind. You are funny. You don’t let me be hard on myself. You make me better. You help me relax and have fun.” But in a close friendship, it’s not just the words that matter—it’s the shared experiences and how they’ve shaped your life. Maybe they have a phrase you’ve picked up over the years, a quirk that makes you laugh, or even a habit that annoys you when others do it. Close relationships change the way we live. At least, they should.

Now, if someone asked you, “Who do you say Jesus is?” how would you respond? Would you respond like Peter in our reading from Matthew, “The Christ, the Son of the living God.” Would you answer as if he were a close friend, or would you talk about him like a distant figure from history, confined to the pages of scripture? Does knowing Jesus affect the way you live? Do you think of Him and smile when something reminds you of Him? My deepest hope is that people who don’t know Jesus can see Christ reflected in the way I live. But I also worry that my own pride and selfishness might get in the way. 

This week, we’ll talk about how others can come to know Christ through the way you and I live our lives.

1. Who do you say Jesus is?
   In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asks His disciples, "But who do you say that I am?" How would you personally answer this question today? Do you see Jesus as a close friend actively shaping your life, or as a figure from scripture? How does this relationship affect the way you live?
2. How do our actions reflect our relationship with Jesus?
   Peter’s confession in Matthew 16:16—"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God"—was a declaration of faith, but Jesus also calls for His followers to live out that faith. Reflecting on the blog post, how do your thoughts, words, and actions demonstrate your belief in Christ? Are there areas where pride or selfishness might obscure Christ’s reflection through you?
3. How can others come to know Christ through us?
   In Matthew 16:18, Jesus says to Peter, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church." Just as Peter became foundational to spreading the gospel, we are called to reveal Christ to others. Based on the blog post, what practical steps can you take to show Jesus in your daily life so that others may come to know Him through your actions?

Matthew 16:13-20, ‭Galatians 6: 2-10

See you Sunday!

Becca Bibee, Director of Discipleship