Relationship not Religion - Matthew 6: 1-18

In this passage Jesus continues to teach about the nature of the greater
righteousness, but announces a new sub-theme in 6:1. The problem he
addresses is that of doing good deeds, religious acts in particular, in
order to be seen by others. Jesus urges the disciples not to be like the
hypocrites (probably a reference to the Scribes and Pharisees see
Matthew 23:5). The word hypocrite (un-translated from the Greek
original) meant actor.
Jesus then gives three examples from the religious practices that were
common in his time: alms giving, prayer and fasting. He shows in each
case how these things may be done in a way that shows they are
focused one genuinely pleasing God the Father and doing good, rather
than impressing people. What matters is what you do when no one is
looking, how you act for an audience of one. Good deeds done for
others get an immediate reward; good deeds done for the Father get a
later but greater reward. The greater righteousness is only interested
in what the Father thinks of you, not getting the approval of humans.
[One main use of religion is to make us feel that we are better than others. In
his instruction here, Jesus is very much in agreement with the critics of
religion who see religious people as self-righteous hypocrites. He is also in
agreement with the prophets, who spoke about Gods revulsion at the
religious practices that were merely outward, formal and rote, where the
heart of the worshipper was far from God.]

In teaching about prayer Jesus also provides a model prayer for the
disciples to follow. He teaches them what they should pray for, but
also to whom they should pray. The prayer he teaches is that of a child
of God to the heavenly Father. Jesus has already spoken of the Father
in the sermon. He showed that the heart of the greater righteousness is
imitating the Father. Here Jesus teaches the disciples to address the
Father as Father just as he himself does. He calls them to share in the
relationship with the Father that he has as the Son (see 11: 25-27).

The prayer has six requests or petitions. The first three are on a
massive scale, asking for the end of the present order of things. When
the kingdom comes, the name of God the Father will be regarded as
holy, and people will live in accord with his will. To pray this prayer is
to commit to being a kingdom person now. The second three requests
are about our most basic needs food to survive, forgiveness of sins,
and spiritual protection. Trial, testing and temptation are all
possible translations of the Greek word peirasmos. Given the context
(Our Father) and the parallel petition about deliverance from evil, it
seems likely that Jesus means us to pray that the Father will protect
our faith through testing and difficulty.
This model of prayer deeply challenges our priorities. We are forced to
consider whether these things are important to us, and how they
figure in our prayers. Encourage your group to reflect on how they
will change their way of praying in response to the teaching of Jesus.
Further notes:
Father in the Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5:16, 45, 48; 6:26, 32; 7:11, 21.
Jesus and the Father in Matthew: 10: 26-33; *11: 25-27; 12:50; 15:13; 16:17; 18:10, 19, 35,
20:23; 25:34; 26:29, 39, 42, 53.
Jesus prayers: Matthew 11: 25-27; 26:39, 42; Luke 23: 34, 46; John 17: 1-26.
On Christian prayer as prayer to the Father: Ephesians 3:14; 5:20; Colossians 1:12; 3:17;
1 Peter 1:17.
On knowing, loving and worshipping the Father (through Jesus, in the Spirit): John 4:
21-23; Romans 8: 12-17; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 4: 1-7; Ephesians 2:18; Philippians
2:11; 1 John 5:1.
On Fasting: 1 Kings 21:27; 2 Chron 20:3; Psalm 35:13; 69:10; Ezra 8:21, Nehemiah 1:4;
9:1; Esther 4:3; Jeremiah 36:9; Joel 1:14; 2: 12-15; Jonah 3:5; Daniel 9:3; Matthew 4:2;
9:15; Acts 13: 2-3; 14:23 - But see Isaiah 58: 3-6!
On Almsgiving: Deuteronomy 15: 7-11; Psalm 41:1; Prov 14:21, 31; 19:17; 28:27; 31:20;
Luke 12:33; Acts 10:2, 4, 31; 24:17; Galatians 2:10.
The Coming Kingdom: Daniel 2:44; 7:13-14; Revelation 11:15; 12:10

Read Matthew 6: 1-18

What is the main point that Jesus is making in this section (6:1)?
How does this connect with his teaching about the greater
righteousness in the previous chapter?
What were some of the characteristics of the greater
righteousness?
Jesus gives three examples of how to apply his general principle.
What is the pattern that Jesus repeats in each one?
How is the middle example different?
Giving alms was about giving to the poor as an act of devotion
to God. How does Jesus say we should we give?
What does it mean to not let your left hand know what
your right hand is doing?
Does this mean we should never talk about our giving?
What do we need to be careful of?
Fasting is the practice of going without food. This might be done
to express repentance for sin or in order to concentrate on
prayer. If we fast, how should we do it?
What is wrong with the way the hypocrites pray?
What is wrong with the way the Gentiles pray?
What have they failed to understand about God?
Is Jesus banning public prayer?
What other practices or ways of serving do we have that could
easily become all about impressing others?
Can you give an example?

Jesus provides a model for the disciples of what to pray. What

difference does it make to pray to the Father in heaven?
What does it mean to pray in this way?
How are the first three petitions linked? What are they about?
What about the latter three petitions?
What does Jesus show should be the pre-occupations of our
prayers?
What would you say most of your prayers are about?
How can we shape our prayers to be more like this?
Pray in accord with Jesus teaching here. Pray for the kingdom and for
each others basic needs.