--- title: "Choosing Jesus' Way Over Culture's Way | The Tree Church" url: https://thetree.church/blog/2026/05/22/choosing-jesus-way-over-culture-s-way description: "Culture offers an easy path when the church hurts you: cancel, leave, quit, repeat. But Jesus offers a harder, better way—one that keeps hearts soft and relationships strong. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Outdo one another in showing honor. Put others' needs above your own, not because they deserve it, but because Jesus did this for you. Being hurt by fellow believers is inevitable, but your response is your choice. Will you become jaded and toxic, or will you become more like Jesus? The world's method makes everyone a victim. Jesus' method gives everyone hope. Today, commit to Jesus' way: stay engaged, love earnestly, pursue reconciliation, and trust that God is building something supernatural through imperfect people—including you." lang: en --- 721 N. Memorial Drive, Lancaster, OH 43130✦ Main Service: Sunday 9 & 11am✦ Movement Youth Sunday 5:30pm✦ Lancaster & Logan, Ohio✦ 721 N. Memorial Drive, Lancaster, OH 43130✦ Main Service: Sunday 9 & 11am✦ Movement Youth Sunday 5:30pm✦ Lancaster & Logan, Ohio✦ Blog (https://thetree.church/blog) Take 20: https://thetree.church/blog/category/take-20 # Choosing Jesus' Way Over Culture's Way May 22nd, 2026 by Tree Church Everyday Image: Choosing Jesus' Way Over Culture's Way (https://base44.app/api/apps/6ac2bb755fa612c2228960ca/files/mp/public/6ac2bb755fa612c2228960ca/9f467234c_18228690_1024x1024_2500.jpg) Take 2-3 minutes to quiet yourself and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time. Reading: **Romans 12:9–21; Ephesians 4:25–32** Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read. After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life. ** Culture offers an easy path when the church hurts you: cancel, leave, quit, repeat. But Jesus offers a harder, better way—one that keeps hearts soft and relationships strong. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Outdo one another in showing honor. Put others' needs above your own, not because they deserve it, but because Jesus did this for you. Being hurt by fellow believers is inevitable, but your response is your choice. Will you become jaded and toxic, or will you become more like Jesus? The world's method makes everyone a victim. Jesus' method gives everyone hope. Today, commit to Jesus' way: stay engaged, love earnestly, pursue reconciliation, and trust that God is building something supernatural through imperfect people—including you.** Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer… 1. Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you). 2. Pray through the things you sensed God speaking to you through the Scriptures or pray the following prayer: **Ask God to help you respond to hurt in a way that reflects Jesus and protects unity within the church.** 3. Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today. **Faith Steps:** 1. Evaluate your heart for any bitterness or cynicism toward church community and surrender it to God. 2. Make one intentional choice this week to stay engaged in community rather than withdrawing. Posted in Take 20 (https://thetree.church/blog/category/take-20)Honor (https://thetree.church/blog/tag/honor)Perseverance (https://thetree.church/blog/tag/perseverance)Reconstruct (https://thetree.church/blog/tag/reconstruct)