New Testament in a Year – Matthew 6

Giving to the Needy (Matthew 6:1-4)

Understand It

• What kind of acts was Jesus discussing? (6:1)
• What specific motives did Jesus warn against? (6:1)
• What happens to the person who operates with impure motives? (6:1)
• Who can judge whether a person’s actions are pure? (6:1)
• How did some individuals in Jesus’ day publicize their generosity? (6:2)
• What name did Jesus give to insincere individuals? Why? (6:2)
• Where did people advertise their "acts of righteousness"? (6:2)
• What deep-seated desire prompted some people to give? (6:2)
• What future reward can showy givers expect? (6:2)
• What style of giving did Jesus command us to adopt? (6:3-4)
• Who notices when we give according to Jesus’ guidelines? (6:4)
• What happens to those who give as Jesus told us to give? (6:4)

Apply It

• What anonymous gift can you give today?
• What steps could you take to ensure that your giving is not done for show?

Prayer (Matthew 6:5-15)

Understand It

• According to Jesus, what wrong motivation prompts some individuals to pray? (6:5)
• What name did Jesus call people who pray for show? Why? (6:5)
• Where do hypocrites prefer to do their praying? (6:5)
• What type of reward will religious showmanship bring? (6:5)
• How did Jesus command His followers to pray? (6:6)
• Where did Jesus suggest we talk to God? (6:6)
• What type of reward will humility in prayer bring? (6:6)
• What did Jesus have to say about repetitive or long, windy prayers? (6:7)
• What insights or facts about God are revealed in this passage? (6:6, 8, 9)
• To whom did Jesus tell us to pray? (6:9)
• What should be our attitude toward God? (6:9)
• What should be our attitude toward God’s kingdom and will? (6:10)
• What should be our attitude toward life’s necessities? (6:11)
• What should be our attitude toward those who have wronged us? (6:12)
• What should be our attitude toward temptation? (6:13)
• Why is it crucial for us to forgive those who wrong us? (6:14-15)

Apply It

• What changes do you need to make in your prayer life?
• What strained relationship will you seek to repair this week by forgiving an offense?

Fasting (Matthew 6:16-18)

Understand It

• What mood did certain individuals in Jesus’ day assume when they fasted? (6:16)
• What facial expressions did some people wear? Why? (6:16)
• Why did some people take on gloomy expressions when they fasted? (6:16)
• What harsh name did Jesus give to people who made a public show of their fasting? Why? (6:16)
• According to Jesus, what rewards await people who show off their fasting? (6:16)
• What repeated phrase in this passage suggests that fasting is not an option? (6:16, 17)
• How should a person conceal the fact of his or her fasting? (6:17)
• Who should know about an individual’s fasts? Why? (6:18)
• Who alone can see what people do in secret? How? (6:18)
• Why are believers to be secretive about fasting? (6:18)

Apply It

• For what reason could you fast this week?
• What steps can you take to devote your spiritual disciplines to God alone?
• What specific steps could you take this week in order to gain a better understanding of fasting?

Treasures in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-24)

Understand It

• Where did Jesus urge His followers not to "store up treasures"? Why? (6:19)
• Why did Jesus discourage stockpiling things? (6:19)
• What can happen to a person’s material possessions? (6:19)
• Where did Jesus encourage us to invest our wealth? Why? (6:20)
• Why is heaven a better place to "bank" than earth? (6:20)
• What does the location of a person’s treasure say about that person? (6:21)
• What is described as the "lamp of the body"? How is this so? (6:22)
• What is the result of "good eyes"? (6:22)
• When will people’s lives be full of darkness? (6:23)
• What did Jesus say about serving two masters? (6:24)
• Why did Jesus say we cannot serve two masters? (6:24)
• What two masters did Jesus mention in this context? Why? (6:24)

Apply It

• How could you make an investment in eternity today?
• What committed Christian friends could help you evaluate your use of money in the next month?

Do Not Worry (Matthew 6:25-34)

Understand It

• What three worries did Jesus discourage among His followers? Why? (6:25)
• Why is food a trivial matter? (6:26)
• According to Jesus, how do clothes stack up as a subject of great concern? (6:26)
• What creatures did Jesus use to illustrate God’s reliability as a provider? Why? (6:26)
• Why are God’s creatures consistently "fed and clothed"? (6:26)
• Why should we take great comfort from the way the animal and plant kingdoms operate? (6:26)
• What benefits does worry bring? (6:27)
• What fact from nature did Jesus use to illustrate the folly of worrying over clothes? (6:28)
• How did Solomon’s wardrobe measure up to the beauty of nature? (6:29)
• What comfort can followers of Christ find in the beauty of nature? (6:30)
• Who is consumed by concern over food, water, and clothing? (6:32)
• What priorities should we have in life? (6:33)
• What does God do for His children when they keep the right perspective, refuse to worry, and trust Him? (6:33)
• Why is it silly to fret over the future? (6:34)

Apply It

• What worry will you entrust to God today?
• What steps can you take today to change your priorities from worldly ones to kingdom ones?