Texts: Matthew 6:5-8
August 11/12, 2012
Pastor Matt Erickson
"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." (Matthew 6:6)
Two Mistakes About Prayer (Matthew 6:5, 7)
- Wrong love – like hypocrites who love to be seen by people
- Wrong thinking – like pagans who babble in order to be heard
Praying to Your Father (Matthew 6:6-8)
- The ‘who’ of prayer
- The unique relationship of prayer
Praying in Secret (Matthew 6:6)
- The secret place
- The secret reward
Praying with Trust (Matthew 6:7)
- The Father’s knowledge
- The Father’s character
Discussion Questions:
- This week we continue our series on prayer from the life and teaching of Jesus. Whether you are on your own or in a small group, take time to read Matthew 6:1-8 aloud.
- The teaching of Jesus we are looking at is found within what is typically called the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. In this teaching, Jesus presents an entirely new way of life centered upon Him. There are parallels between Moses’ teaching at Mount Sinai and Jesus’ teaching here.
- Matthew 6:1 provides a fairly clear picture of the theme of this section of Jesus’ teaching. What is it? How does that theme carry through 6:1-18?
- Jesus compares true prayer with false prayer as characterized in two different types of people in verses 5-8. What are those two types of people and how would you describe their approach to prayer?
- When have you encountered someone or a situation (maybe even yourself!) that matched up to Jesus’ description of false prayer?
- With verses 6 and 8, Jesus speaks to what he sees as important characteristics of true prayer. How would you describe what Jesus says here?
- Name one specific way that Jesus’ teaching on prayer here might shape your approach to prayer differently. If you are in a small group, discuss this with one another. If you are on your own, write it down, reflect on it, and put it into practice this week.
- Pray about these things.
Next week we will conclude our series on prayer by looking at John 17. Read that passage ahead of time and pray that God would speak to us together.