Message Notes
Look Back
What did you do this week to live as a child of God?
Look Up
Read Matthew 6:1-6 and 16-18
- How many warnings, or “don’t” statements does Jesus make in these verses? What do they have in common?
- Why do you think Jesus repeats His warnings in different ways? What does this say about people and the “rewards” that people seek?
- Jesus gives us instruction in verses 4, 6 and 17-18 – what do these verses have in common?
- Why do you think Jesus repeatedly says “your Father knows what is done in private”? What does this say about God and how do you apply this in your personal life?
Read Matthew 5:14-16 and Hebrews 11:6
- How easy is it for you to reconcile Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 5:16 with His teaching in Matthew 6:1-17? Where do you draw the line between public and private deeds?
- How easy is it for you to accept that God exists and rewards those who earnestly seek Him? What helps or hinders your acceptance of this as truth?
Overall (Discovery Bible Study)
- What do these scriptures say about God?
- What do they say about people?
- How will I apply this to my life?
Look Ahead
Whose approval do you typically crave most? What needs to change?
Notes
Jesus’ teaching in these verses forces us to examine why we do some of the “religious” things we do. He repeatedly encourages us to give, pray and worship in ways that focus on God, our Father, and not on the attention or approval of others. He also reminds us that our Father is constantly present, watching and rewards those who earnestly seek Him in all things.
