WEEK 8 SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR GROUPS

Upside down living: The power of thoughtfulness

Introduction:

In Matthew 6:5–18, Jesus teaches that genuine faith is not a performance for human approval. He warns against praying and fasting merely to impress others and instead encourages private, sincere devotion directed toward God. Jesus provides the Lord’s Prayer as a model, emphasizing reverence, dependence on God, forgiveness, and spiritual guidance. He also stresses the importance of forgiving others, teaching that authentic righteousness comes from a humble heart that seeks God rather than from public recognition or praise.

Bottom line: Real devotion is about motives.

Something To Talk About:

1. Prayer and fasting without the pizzaz: Prayer and fasting are simple disciplines that help us focus our attention on God. In Matthew 6:5–18, Jesus reminds His followers that these practices are not meant to draw attention to ourselves or impress others. Their value is found in the quiet relationship they cultivate between the believer and God. Prayer is an opportunity to speak honestly with God, bringing Him our gratitude, concerns, needs, and questions. It also teaches us to listen, trust, and depend on Him daily. Fasting complements prayer by temporarily setting aside something important, often food, to devote greater attention to spiritual matters. It reminds us that our deepest needs are met by God rather than by earthly comforts. Neither prayer nor fasting earns God’s favor. Instead, they help shape our hearts and align our priorities with His will. Practiced sincerely and humbly, they become regular reminders that God sees us, hears us, and cares for us even when no one else notices.

1. Our Focus (God’s glory): One of the central themes of the Christian life is that our focus should be on God’s glory rather than our own. In a culture that often encourages self-promotion, recognition, and personal achievement, Scripture continually directs our attention away from ourselves and toward God. Every gift we possess, every opportunity we receive, and every accomplishment we achieve ultimately comes from Him. When our primary concern is God’s glory, our motives begin to change. We seek to serve rather than be served, to honor Christ rather than attract attention to ourselves. Acts of worship, prayer, generosity, and service become expressions of gratitude rather than attempts to gain others’ approval. Focusing on God’s glory also brings perspective during difficult seasons. Success becomes an opportunity to give thanks, while hardship becomes an opportunity to trust Him and demonstrate faithfulness. Our lives were not created to point people to ourselves but to reflect the goodness, wisdom, and grace of God. When He is the center of our attention, we find purpose, direction, and lasting fulfillment.

1. Our need (God’s grace): More than anything else, our greatest need is God’s grace. We often spend much of our lives pursuing success, security, acceptance, or comfort, believing that these things will satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts. Yet Scripture teaches that our most fundamental need is not found in what we can achieve or acquire, but in what God freely gives. Grace is God’s undeserved favor toward sinners. It is His loving provision for people who could never earn His acceptance through their own efforts. Through grace, God forgives our sins, restores our relationship with Him, and offers the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. God’s grace is not only necessary for salvation but also for daily living. We depend on it for strength in weakness, wisdom in confusion, comfort in suffering, and perseverance in trials. Every spiritual blessing we enjoy is ultimately rooted in His grace. Recognizing our need for grace produces humility and gratitude. It reminds us that our hope rests not in our own goodness, but in the faithful love and mercy of God.

Discussion Questions:

1. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to begin with God’s name, kingdom, and will before presenting our own needs. What does this reveal about the priorities that should shape our prayers?
2. Jesus links receiving forgiveness with extending forgiveness to others. Why is forgiveness such an important part of the Christian life, and what challenges do believers face in practicing it?
3. Jesus teaches that fasting should be done quietly and sincerely before God. How do prayer, forgiveness, and fasting work together to deepen our dependence on God and strengthen our relationship with Him?
4. Jesus emphasized that prayer and fasting are matters of the heart rather than public displays of spirituality. How can we cultivate a more sincere and private relationship with God through these disciplines?
5. What practical obstacles keep you from maintaining a consistent life of prayer and fasting, and what steps can you take to make time with God a greater priority in your daily routine? What are some practical ways we can examine our motives and keep God’s glory as the focus of our spiritual lives?
6. What are some common distractions or pursuits that can shift our focus away from God’s glory and toward our own recognition, and how can we intentionally redirect our hearts back to honoring Him?
7. Think about a recent decision, success, or challenge in your life. How could viewing that situation through the lens of God’s glory have influenced your attitude, response, or actions?
8. How might our priorities, decisions, and relationships change if we consistently viewed our lives as opportunities to reflect God’s glory rather than promote ourselves? Give specific examples from daily life.

Take one thing home with you:

Matthew 6:15 contains a sobering reminder from Jesus: “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Jesus is not teaching that we earn God’s forgiveness by forgiving others. Rather, He is showing that a heart transformed by God’s grace will reflect that grace toward others.

Forgiveness is often difficult because wounds can be deep and painful. Our natural response is to hold onto hurt, seek revenge, or demand repayment. Yet when we remember how much God has forgiven us through Christ, we gain a new perspective. We who have received mercy are called to extend mercy.

Forgiveness does not mean ignoring sin or pretending that wrong actions did not occur. It means letting go of the desire for personal vengeance and entrusting justice to God. It is an act of obedience and faith.

As we forgive others, we reflect the character of our heavenly Father. Forgiveness frees our hearts from bitterness and demonstrates the transforming power of God’s grace in our lives.