March 15, 2026

UNIT 1: The Sermon on the Mount

LESSON: 3

Study Text: Matthew 6:1-18

Central Truth: God receives honor through our devotion to Him.

KEY Verse--Colossians 3:17 What soever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him (KJV).

"Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

Author Leo Tolstoy wrote, "Hypocrisy ... may deceive the cleverest and most penetrating man, but the least wide-awake of children recognizes it, and is revolted by it, however ingeniously it may be disguised."

DISCUSSION STARTER--Who Is It For?

What are some ways hypocrisy can creep in when people do good things for the wrong reasons? ________________________.

The religious leaders of Jesus day had become so obsessed with the Law that they had even begun adding rules to it. They abused worthwhile spiritual practices like giving, praying, and fasting to manipulate the public and inflate their own images. In the section of the Sermon on the Mount, we'll be looking at this week. Jesus called out the Pharisees for abusing practices intended for worshipping God and turning them into theater instead.

                                                  PART 1-Christian Giving

Giving in Public               Matthew 6:1-2

Jesus told His followers not to create a spectacle when they give, just so they would appear righteous to others (Matthew 6:1). This kind of spirituality is empty, more concerned with human approval than with a genuine connection to God. And the only reward is the fleeting praise of people, cheaply offered and quickly forgotten (verse 2), Before we give, each of us must ask ourselves, Am I giving to earn praise, attention, or social recognition? Or am I compelled by my devotion to God and the desire to serve others?

? What are some of the pitfalls of giving publicly?

Giving in Secret          Matthew 6:3-4

After describing the wrong way to give, Jesus told His listeners the right way to give. in Matthew 6:2, Jesus uses the singular form of "you," implying that the act of giving is not communal, but personal--just between the individual and God. It's so personal, in fact, that Jesus added, "Don't let your hand know what your right hand is doing." Giving to the needy should be done with the utmost discretion, out of public view and with no thought of recognition. Because God is present everywhere and knows everything, He alone can grant an eternal reward for someone's sincere generosity, and Jesus promises that he will (verse 4).

? Without sharing names, what are some ways you've seen people give the wrong way? The right way? 

PART 2--Christian Prayer

Empty Prayers          Matthew 6:5-8

Jesus next moves to the topic of prayer. He spends considerably more time teaching about prayer than about giving of fasting. Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility and sincerity in prayer. He cautions against praying merely to be seen by others (Matthew 6:5). Instead, He encourages people to pray privately as a way to genuinely connect with God (verse 6). Jesus next warns against praying empty, repetitive words (verse 7). Praying to the one true God is not an incantation or means of manipulation. No secret phrase or extra-holy language will force God's hand. Instead, we have Jesus' assurance that God knows everything we need before we even ask (verse 8). We can pray with honesty and faith, confident that God hears and understands.

? How can we ensure our prayers are sincere?

Jesus' Model Prayer            Matthew 6:9-15

What we call the "Lord's Prayer" is a model prayer that serves as an alternate to the complex, long-winded prayers of the scribes and Pharisees. The prayer begins with acknowledging God as our Heavenly Father, highlighting our intimate relationship with Him (Matthew 6:9). Then we align our will with God's will--one of the main outcomes of any sincere prayer (verse 10). We ask for the sustenance we need to survive every day, recognizing our complete dependence on God (verse 11). We also need God's forgiveness each day as we engage in ongoing repentance and continue to grow more like Him (verse 12). Jesus' prayer ends with a plea for deliverance from temptation and the evil one (verse 13). His followers inevitably face spiritual battles, and we need God's strength to overcome them. After His model prayer, Jesus returned to the idea of forgiving others as we have been forgiven by God (verses 14-15).

? If a new believer was asking for your advice on prayer, how would you respond?

PART 3-Christian Fasting

      Public Fasting             Matthew 6:16

Although Jesus would later defend His disciples for not fasting (Matthew 9:14-15), He does not discourage fasting here in the Sermon on the Mount. Instead, He teaches His followers to be humble and discreet when they fast (6:16). Echoing His earlier words about performative giving and prayer, Jesus warns about performative fasting. Just as the hypocrites gave money "to call attention to their acts of charity" (verse 2) and prayed "where everyone can see them" (verse 5), they also fasted "so people will admire them" (verse 16). Once again, Jesus said this temporary recognition would be the only reward they would ever get.

? What are ways to keep the focus on God while fasting?

Secret Fasting             Matthew 6:17-18

After calling out the Pharisees for their theatrical fasting, Jesus told His disciples now fasting should work. Jewish people in Jesus' time regularly fasted two days per week. Because fasting was associated with mourning, people would intentionally "look miserable and disheveled" (Matthew 6:16) to express their grief. Jesus' problem with this practice was that it drew attention to their fasting, causing people to become proud of their own perceived holiness. Instead, Jesus told His followers to maintain a normal appearance while fasting verse 17). They should keep on doing their normal daily cleaning routine and keep their spiritual disciplines between them and God (verse 18).

? Why is pride such a dangerous temptation for Christians?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

When it comes to spiritual disciplines like giving, prayer, and fasting, our motivations matter. The focus should be to honor God, not build our own reputation. It's easy to fall into the trap of seeking recognition, but Jesus reminds us that our Heavenly Father sees what we do in secret, and He will reward us accordingly. Jesus also had a clear message for those who give or  pray or fast for the wrong reasons: They have already received their reward.

LIVING IT OUT

Look for ways to secretly give, pray, and fast this week. 

DAILY BIBLE READINGS

  Monday: Generous Giving. Exodus 35:20-29

                    Tuesday: Example of Heartfelt Prayer. 1 Samuel 2:1-10

     Wednesday: Genuine Repentance. Jonah 3:1-10

              Thursday: Fasting for Spiritual Warfare. Matthew 4:1-11

            Friday: Give Thoughtfully and Cheerfully. 2 Cor. 9:6-11

                Saturday: Payer for Spiritual Strength. Ephesians 3:14-21

RADIANT LIFE

Volume 107 Number 3 Mar. Apr. May 2026

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