The G.O.A.T. – Week 5 DG

 

Matt 6:1-18

 

 

Is it possible for you and I to bring something to God without our hearts behind it? How does it matter?

 

***For Leaders – You can do the spiritual disciplines and not be engaged with God. We can read our Bibles and not be engaged. Josh asked a volunteer, “Why are you here?” and the answer was “because I’m scheduled.” You can miss out if you do not know the “why”. Read verses 1-4. Jesus doesn’t give a Gold Star for just showing up.

 

(vv1-2) “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

 

After reading the verses above, how can we bring something to God that moves His heart?

 

***For Leaders – This type of giving is meant to be done in secret…and the why is…to protect people’s dignity in their crisis AND Jesus also said that “whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you did unto me.” (Matt 25:40) These are the two things move God’s heart. So if you send someone a card with some cash to help someone. Keep it a secret. If you go to visit someone in jail, only the people there need to know, you don’t need to make an announcement. There’s other examples in giving food, helping the sick, supporting a child overseas, paying for a child’s tuition, etc. Reminder, when Jesus says in v2 they receive their reward in full, it means they got man’s attention, nothing more.

 

(vv5-6 )And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 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.

 

How does the idea of doing things in secret supposed to play out in our prayer lives?

 

***For Leaders – Private victories precede public victories. Discuss this idea when answering the question above.

 

In the spirit of Hebrews 10:24“Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” What are some ways your group can encourage one another to follow the principles that Christ is giving us in the Sermon on the Mount (The G.O.A.T.)