2025 Study of Matthew’s Gospel #3

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Matthew 6:1-18

Key Verse 6:9

1. In what ways might people practice righteousness for the wrong reasons (1)? Why do you think Jesus tells us not to make our giving to the needy a public display (2)? What attitudes or motivations is he warning us against (3-4)?
2. What do the prayers of hypocrites reveal about their hearts and focus (5)? How does Jesus want us to pray in contrast with hypocrites and pagans (6-8)? What can we learn from Jesus’ instructions about sincere and humble prayer?
3. Why do you think Jesus teaches us to begin our prayers by addressing God as “our Father in heaven” (9a)? What do the first three petitions teach us about the priorities in prayer (9b-10)? How might each of these shape the way we think and live?
4. What daily needs does Jesus include in the Lord’s Prayer, and why do you think these particular requests are important for our spiritual lives (11-13)? What does the repeated use of “us,” “we,” and “our” in the prayer teach us about our faith community? Why do you think forgiving others is such an essential part of being forgiven by God (14-15)?
5. What do the actions and attitudes of hypocrites during fasting reveal about their intentions and desires (16)? How does Jesus teach us to fast differently, and what does this suggest about the purpose and heart of true fasting (17-18)? How can we guard our hearts against hypocrisy?