Matthew 6:5-8

DAY 42
Date: 3-9-25

The LORD’S PRAYER, part 1

* Everything with an asterisk and is italicized and purple is my own added words and thoughts and are not part of the actual verse or quote. 

Pray

Read scripture: Matthew 6:5-8

(NIV 1984) And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

The MAIN IDEA (according to our book):
Jesus’ followers must be motivated by trust in God’s provision rather than trust in any earthly source.

SUPPORTING IDEA: 
Jesus’ followers must live for God’s approval, not the praise of people.

Q1: Let’s start by asking the simple question, “What is prayer?“

A1: Talking AND Listening.
Sharing. Seeking. Asking. Praising. Giving Thanks.
Praising. Asking. Thanking. It is personal. It is real. It is vital. 
Undistratcted & Quiet (usually, but not always)
Talking AND Listening.

Q2: (Opening Question?) What is the thesis statement for this section? 

A: Matt 6:1 Matthew 6:1 Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY METHOD

Observation. Interpretation. Application.

Simply stated, it works by asking yourself three questions as you study read and God’s Word:

1. What does it say? (Observation) Or – what does it NOT say?
2. What does it mean? (Interpretation) Or – what does it NOT mean?
3. How does this apply to me? (Application)

Let’s go thru today’s passage (Matthew 6:5-8) using the Inductive Method: (?Go to Olivetree?)

Observation – What does it say?

There are “bookends” in this passage that give us a clue as to the meaning of this passage.

1. Do not be like the hypocrites! (Vs 5) Do not be like them! (Vs 8)
2. Do your “acts of righteousness” in secret.

There are “dos” and “do nots.”

Q2: First, did you notice anything similar to last week’s section on giving in Matt 6:1-4?

If, so, what did you notice that seemed similar?

1. Hypocrites
2. Do not … (do not do, or do not be like) Do your “acts of righteousness,” (in this case praying, in the previous section, giving to the needy, and in the next section, fasting, in secret.)
3. Synagogues and on the street
4. Rewards
5. Secrets

Interpretation – What does it mean?

It means what it says, “Do not be like the hypocrites! (Vs 5) Do not be like them!” (Vs 8)

But what does it mean to NOT be like the hypocrites? It means that we do not want to call attention to ourselves, like the Pharisees. We do not want to act “self-righteously” to impress others. We do not want to do our “acts of righteousness” in such a way so that we get the credit instead of God. We do not want to bd proud. We want God to get all the credit and all the glory. It is a PRIVILEGE to be used by Him to do His Will on earth. 

So –  HOW do we do that? By keeping our part in it secret, and instead, point to God. 

So, how do we keep our part in it secret, and instead, point to God?

Application – How do I apply this to my life?

• Pray for a hunger and thirst for righteousness 
• Pray to become more like Jesus; for Christlikeness
• Memorize Scripture
• Pray for God’s will to be done in your life
• Pray for strength to resist
• Pray for God’s protection.

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Notes:

* Everything with an asterisk and is italicized and purple is my own added words and thoughts and are not part of the actual verse or quote.