Sunday School Lesson The Apostolic Way
Theme: Piety That Honors God Matthew 6:1-8
Unifying Principle: The Pitfalls of Showing Off
Landing point:………………………Religion without relationship is not God-honoring ( repeat this over and over during your lesson)
Context: It was the onset of Jesus’ ministry. Having established his authority through a series of tests (temptation in the wilderness; cf.Mat.4), Jesus began to teach about His Kingdom. “From that time Jesus began to preach and say “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mat.4:17). That message has not changed – Kingdom people, members of Christ’s kingdom are subject to a different order than non-members (followers of this world order whose ruler is the devil). Followers of this world are primarily self-centered. Members of God’s Kingdom are Christ-centered (“we turn our lives over to Christ’s direction and control”).[1] Matthew chapter six is part of Jesus’ teaching on Kingdom living (cf. Mat.4:23-25; Lk.4:42-44; Mk.1:35-39). This account of Christ’s teaching is topical, not chronological. Having introduced His kingdom agenda in the Sermon on the Mount over a series of days, Jesus addressed the Kingdom position on the Law, being salt and light, anger, lust, divorce, and retaliation. The focus of our text (6:1-8) is on generosity and prayer (a three-part sermon if you will, which includes fasting).
Outline:
· Giving in secret – 6:1-4
· Praying in secret – 6: 5-8
A common practice for Jesus is to use language tools such as figures of speech, repetition, and hyperbole. Chapter six is an example. Notice these terms:
ü Secret; sound a trumpet; left hand and right hand; inner room; door, hypocrites.
But first, we should define the word Piety – being religious or reverent. “Piety that honors God” – the type of reverence that honors God (Kingdom living).
Keep In Mind
“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them; otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven” (KJV, 6:1)
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven” (NASB, 6:1).
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Landing point – What is our motive for doing things? Attention? Or do we act sincerely
Hypocrite! Actors! Pretenders! Phony!
The religious leaders of that day practiced a religion that was inadequate. Their system of religion was anything but pious. The introduction of “the Kingdom” was in stark contrast to the religion of their day. Their theology was wrong, their worship was wrong – PHONY!!
Imagine the implications here...Jesus is saying to the keeper of the law (the pastors and bishops/leaders in our day) – Your theology is wrong! Let Me tell you how things should be.
Your religion is all a show! It was ritual without relationship!
Imagine the implications here...Jesus is saying to the keeper of the law (the pastors and bishops/leaders in our day) – Your theology is wrong! Let Me tell you how things should be.
Your religion is all a show! It was ritual without relationship!
He now places a focus on three main areas:
1. Giving – others focus
2. Praying – God focus
3. Fasting – self-focus
Giving in secret (6:1-4)
Jesus begins “Beware!” (take heed, pay attention to; Προσέχετε), your deeds of righteousness (dikaiosynēn). You do this so that men can see you. This is not my standard. This is your standard. Wrong doctrine.
The Pharisees were over the top in their giving. They gave on the streets, in the synagogues, and to the needy. All good acts, but with the wrong motives. Their level of giving proved their level of righteousness (they thought). Wrong theology.
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them” (6:1a). This is what hypocrites do! When they give, everyone knows about it:
“So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men” (6:2).
** Apostolic Way material says - “Jesus cautions that improper motives carry their own reward because the actions are acknowledged only by others, thus forfeiting any reward from God”[2]
When you give, do it without seeking attention (vv.3-4). Don’t give with mixed motives. “Do your good deeds quietly, or in secret, with no thought of reward;” then God will reward you accordingly. This is true righteousness.
Praying in Secret (6:5-8)
Yet again, another way to be seen is “public praying.” Jesus speaks to the practice of prayer.
ü Wrong theology – superficial praying for attention (“they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men”; v.5).
ü Correct theology – a private conversation between the pray-er and God ( You, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret;” v.6).
“Christ warns His followers to not be like the pharisaical play-actors who pretend to have a relationship with God by showcasing their prayers in public.”[3]
“Their prayers were directed not to God but to other men and consisted of long repetitive phrases” (6:7).[4]
This type of praying was condemned by God. It is antithetical to Kingdom praying. Strong words were issued by Jesus in this regard:
“You are not to be like the hypocrites; Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full” (v.5)."So do not be like them” (8a).
** See the In-Depth portion of your Apostolic Way/Light material for exegete of the text.
Piety That Honors God
“Jesus wanted His listeners to understand the secret, private, and personal nature their communication with God should have.”[5] Praying is not mindless repetition, seeking approval from the crowds. What God seeks is relationship through the expression of sincere prayers. Praying should be personal; although there are times when we are called upon to lead a corporate prayer. Then, we speak to God on behalf of another, without the motive of seeking praise from the audience.
Again, notice His use of the following phrases – “go into your inner room/closet, close your door; pray to your Father who is in secret” (v.6). This is intimacy. Emphasize to our students the need to connect with God through a personal relationship, rather than mindless rituals.
These two concerns addressed by Jesus is Piety that honors God.
Apostolic Way Aim For Change:
ü Understand Jesus’ teachings about religion
ü Repent about practicing religion with the wrong motives
ü Practice simplicity and humility that honors God
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