Read Matthew Chapter 6:1-15
1. What warning does Jesus give them in Matthew 6:1?
2. What does Jesus say about giving alms in Matthew 6:2-4? What did the expression “sounding the trumpet” mean with regard to the giving of alms?
Going deeper: The Greek word “dikaiosyne” or “tzedakah in Hebrew is translated “piety” or “charity” or “righteousness” in English. (See Matthew 6:1, 2, 3, and 4) The emphasis is on justice, ethics and Torah observance. It is a theme with Matthew’s gospel and consistent with the belief that his gospel was intended for observant Jews who would have valued this quality.
3. What does Jesus tell them about praying in Matthew 6:5-6?
4. Why would Jesus want them to give alms and pray in secret? Asked another way, what is the difference between doing something publicly and doing something in secret?
5. What does Jesus tell them about the content of their prayer in Matthew 6:7-8?
6. Copy Matthew 6:9-13. Meditate on this. Record your thoughts and impressions.
Going deeper: Nothing in the “Lord’s Prayer” as we Christians often call it, originated with Jesus. The elements of the prayer came from different Jewish prayers used in the first century when Jesus was ministering. You can do your own research to find out the sources.
7. If Jesus wasn’t giving new information about prayer, what was the message that he was giving to his disciples in this passage?
8. What do you learn from the following verses about prayer?
Mark 11:22-26
Luke 6:28
Luke 18:1
Luke 21:36
Romans 8:26
Philippians 4:6-7
Colossians 4:2
1 Thessalonians 5:17
James 5:13-18
9. What does Jesus teach them about forgiveness in Matthew 6:14-15?
10. What do you learn about forgiveness from the following verses?
Psalm 32:1
Psalm 86:5
Psalm 99:8
Psalm 103:2-3
Jeremiah 31:34
Daniel 9:9
Mark 3:28-29
Luke 7:46-48
Luke 17:3-4
John 20:22-23
1 John 1:9
1 John 2:12
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