Scripture: John 3:23-30

Prior Reading: Days 1-4

Focus: Our focus as a community for the next several weeks is uncluttering our hearts from the stuff that weighs us down and blocks our view of Jesus. We begin on this path of decrease by learning from  John the Baptist. By willingly decreasing, John increased in humility and helped others experience  Jesus, our Savior.

Application: What needs to decrease in our lives so that Jesus increases more?  How do you need the Spirit of God to help you?

Scripture: John 12:1-8

Prior Reading: Days 5-10

Focus: Mary’s gift of anointing Jesus was scandalous and wasteful in the eyes of those around her. Her generous gift reflects her rich understanding of Jesus and her deep appreciation of Him. This outpouring was premeditated and symbolized the coming of Christ, the Anointed One.

Application: What would need to decrease for you to be more generous toward Jesus? How do you need the Spirit of God to help you?

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Prior Reading: Days 11-16

Focus: The story of the Prodigal Son returning home is full of characters: a father, a son, a brother, servants, and even a pig farmer. In this story, we see many individuals wrestling with increasing and decreasing. Yet it is there that we also find the true reflection of God our Father.

Application: Think of all the characters in the parable of the prodigal son. Who is struggling with increasing and decreasing?  With whom do you most identify? How do you need the Spirit of God to help you?

Scripture: Matthew 12:12, 23-27

Prior Reading: Days 17-22

Focus: What do we do with Jesus’ actions in the temple? Here we find Him increasing in power and authority.  He has a physical reaction to those cluttering the grounds with consumer goods and strong words for the teachers of the law. This seems out of character for our stereotypical portrayal of Jesus. However, His actions give us an example of what it means to decrease in apathy and fear as we stand against injustice.

Application: What would need to decrease in order for you to stand against injustice? How do you need the Spirit of God to help you? 

Scripture: Matthew 16:21–23,  Luke 22:24-62

Prior Reading: Days 23-28

Focus:  Peter’s journey reveals how deeply we resist Jesus’ way of decrease.  Each moment exposes his desire for increase: power without pain, glory without surrender, faith without weakness. By the time Peter denies Jesus and weeps bitterly, his illusions of strength are stripped away, showing that true discipleship begins not with rising up, but with being brought low.

Application: How do you relate to the ways in which Peter resisted Jesus’s way of decrease? How do you need the Spirit of God to help you?