Preparing for Sunday - Matthew 6:1

November 1, 2012 by Bret Capranica Preparing for Sunday

Read Matthew 6:1-18
What are the similar phrases and terms used in this section?
What religious practices does Jesus highlight in this section? Why?
How does 6:1 related to what Jesus said in 5:16? How are these passages similar and different? How are they not contradictory?
In what ways does 6:1 serve as a general pricinple for 6:2-18?
How is 6:1-18 similar and different from what Jesus discussed in 5:17-48?

Ask yourself again, why does Jesus focus on the particular religious actions he does in 6:1-18.
Why do you give, pray, and/or fast? Do you find yourself thinking or wanting others to know about your religious actions? Why?
What does it mean to seek the Father's reward (6:1)? How is this not self-serving? How does this not contradict the idea of all that we have being a gift of God's undeserved grace?
How could 5:16 and 6:1 be best applied to specific religious activities in your life this week?

As a result of meditating on the above suggestions, what do you need to confess to the Lord as sin? What have you learned about the motives of your own heart that should change?
How can you ensure this week that your activities are not done so others will notice, but so that you will be rewarded by your Father in Heaven?
Pray for those in our church to lives lives that seek the Father's not the crowd's reward.
Pray for those who will be in our service this Sunday who do not know Christ - that their hearts will be exposed and they will turn to Christ for forgiveness and new life.
Pray for those leading the service this week - that they will edify the body of Christ: Dawson Bryant, music; Mark Krystyniak, Elders' prayer and Scripture Reading; Bret Capranica, teaching.
Meditate on the lyrics of the songs we will sing this Sunday. Prepare your heart to sing together with God's people.