Bible ReadingMatthew 6:1–18Verse 1: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”
[35:10]Verses 2–4: “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
[47:16]Verses 5–6: “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
[01:00:42]Verse 7: “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do, for they think they will be heard for their many words.”
[01:00:07]Verses 16–18: “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
[01:04:07]Mark 12:41–44Verses 41–42: “And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.”
[52:53]Verses 43–44: “And he called his disciples to him and said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.’”
[54:35]Matthew 23:1–36Verses 1–3: “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.’”
[38:59]Verses 4–7: “They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.”
[38:59]Verses 8–12: “But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
[38:59]Verses 13–15: “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.”
[38:59]Verses 16–22: “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.”
[38:59]Verses 23–24: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!”
[38:59]Verses 25–28: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”
[38:59]Verses 29–36: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of innocent Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.’”
[38:59]Observation questions- In Matthew 6, what repeated words does Jesus use to introduce giving, prayer, and fasting? What does He repeatedly warn His followers not to seek from other people? [01:04:07]
- What differences can the group observe between the Pharisees’ giving and the widow’s giving in Mark 12? What does Jesus notice about her gift that others may have missed? [54:35]
- According to Matthew 23, what were some of the outward actions the Pharisees used to make themselves look spiritual or important?
- In Matthew 6:16–18, what instructions does Jesus give to someone who is fasting, and what kind of appearance is that person told to avoid? [01:02:27]
Interpretation questions- Jesus says public praise can become a person’s whole reward. Why does the desire to be noticed change the heart behind giving, praying, or fasting? [42:51]
- Matthew 6 does not teach that faith should be hidden from the world. How can a believer live a faith that is public while still developing that faith privately? [38:10]
- Jesus calls the Pharisees hypocrites because their outward actions did not match their hearts. What are some ways a person can slowly begin to wear a spiritual “mask” without realizing it? [39:43]
- The widow’s gift was small in amount but costly and worshipful in heart. How does her example reshape the way believers measure generosity? [54:35]
Application questions- Is there a recent time when you felt disappointed that someone did not notice, thank, or recognize something good you did? What might that reaction reveal about what your heart was hoping to receive?
- Thankless generosity means giving without fanfare, repayment, or recognition. What is one realistic need you could meet this week in a way that does not draw attention to yourself? [55:02]
- God’s love is not earned through Bible reading, prayer, service, or fasting; believers live from His love, not for His love. Where are you most tempted to treat spiritual habits like a way to prove yourself to God or others? [38:40]
- Personal prayer is not a performance, and sometimes the deepest prayer is simply, “Help.” What makes you self-conscious or hesitant in prayer? What would it look like to speak honestly with the Father this week? [01:00:07]
- When could you set aside a specific, protected time to be with God—not only to bring a list of needs, but to know His voice and enjoy His presence? [01:09:29]
- Fasting creates space by laying something aside and turning that time and attention toward God. Would fasting from a meal, social media, entertainment, or another regular distraction be a meaningful next step for you? What would you replace it with? [01:06:42]
- Of the three practices—thankless generosity, personal prayer, and faithful fasting—which one most needs to become part of your regular rhythm right now? What specific step could make that practice more than just a good intention this week? [01:10:32]
