After challenging His disciples to live as salt and light in the world—and to exceed the shallow righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees—Jesus now shifts to the motive behind righteous living. In Matthew 6:1–18, He teaches us that doing the right things with the wrong heart can still be wrong. It’s not just about what we do, but why we do it—and for whom.
This section explores three key practices of Jewish piety: giving, praying, and fasting. These were essential acts of devotion in Jewish life—and they remain foundational spiritual disciplines for Christians today. But Jesus warns: if we do these things just to be seen by others, we’ve already received our reward. God desires a heart that seeks His approval, not human applause.
This lesson will help us:
- Examine our motives in spiritual practices like giving and praying
- Understand what it means to seek God’s reward rather than man’s
- Learn from the Lord’s model prayer how to speak with sincerity, humility, and faith
These teachings are intensely practical—and deeply personal. In a world that praises public performance, Jesus calls us to private devotion. The Father who sees in secret is the one we must aim to please.
Download a printable version of the guide here (download link beneath the preview):
By Jeremy Sprouse
Jeremy has been married to Erynn since August 1999. They are blessed with six children: Jaden, Isaiah, Isaac, Ean, Joseph, and Evelyn. Jeremy preaches for the Patrick St. church of Christ in Dublin, TX and is the author of To Train Up a Knight.
Knights of The Father 