The Sermon on the Mount
Daily Bible Studies for August 18-23, 2008
Learn what we believe and how we are to behave!
This Week’s Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15 MOT & NLT
[Jesus said,] 5And when you (all) pray do not be as the hypocrites; because they love standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to pray so that they may be visible to men; truly (amen) I myself, tell you, they have their reward.
6But when you pray, enter into your private room and having shut your door, pray to Your Father, to the One in secret; and Your Father, the One seeing in the secret place, will repay you.
7And when you are praying, do not speak empty words as the gentiles; for they think that in their many words they will be heard. 8Therefore, do not be like them, for God Your Father, knows of what things you have need before you ask Him.
9Therefore, pray thus: Our Father, the One in the heavens; holy (hallowed) shall be your name. 10Let your Kingdom come; let your will come about as in heaven, also on earth. 11Give us today our bread for today and for the coming day. 12And forgive us the debts (sins, wrongs) of us as we also forgave our debtors (those who have sinned against us or wronged us.) 13And do not bring us into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. 14For if you forgive the people their sins (wrongdoing), your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive people, neither will Your Father forgive your sins (wrongdoing). MOT
Monday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, it’s always a good thing to be reminded of the importance of prayer. When Jesus is the one doing the reminding how much more so! I praise You for who You are and for the many ways You have shown Yourself to us. I thank You that You call us to pray and that You hear our prayers. Hear my prayer today, that I may be filled with Your Holy Spirit and do Your will. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
[Jesus said,] 5And when you (all) pray do not be as the hypocrites; because they love standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to pray so that they may be visible to men; truly (amen) I myself, tell you, they have their reward.
MOT
Why do you suppose that the religious leaders made such a “show” of praying in public? What do you think was their goal?
What does Jesus mean that they “have their reward”?
Today’s Challenge: I will not use public prayer as an opportunity to show off, but rather as an opportunity to show others that God is real in my life!
Tuesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I come to you right now one-on-one, in the privacy that Jesus calls us to when we pray. I ask You to see and hear me, not because I deserve You to see and hear me, but because You have called me to private prayer and I want to hear Your voice and do Your will. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may once again have the assurance that You ARE with me always. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
6But when you pray, enter into your private room and having shut your door, pray to Your Father, to the One in secret; and Your Father, the One seeing in the secret place, will repay you. MOT
Where is your “private room” where you pray to God “in secret”?
What is the significance of time you invest alone with God in prayer for your living out of each day?
Today’s Challenge: I will take time alone each day this week to meet with my Heavenly Father and learn His will for my day and my life!
Wednesday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I confess that sometimes I ramble on and on in prayer. My goal is NOT to be a gentile, not to coerce You to hear me and do what I want. Rather, it is to draw more and more into Your presence so that I may hear and do YOUR will. Fill me with Your Spirit and make that the reality of my life today and each day. This I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
7And when you are praying, do not speak empty words as the gentiles; for they think that in their many words they will be heard. 8Therefore, do not be like them, for God Your Father, knows of what things you have need before you ask Him. MOT
What does it mean to you to “speak empty words” in prayer? How do you avoid doing it?
If God knows what we need before we ask, then why does He still want us to ask?
Today’s Challenge: I will bring my sincere prayers of adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication before the Lord this day!
Thursday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You ARE the one true and living God of all that exists! I praise You for being OUR Father, and for being Holy. I pray that You will so root me in Your will and so fill me with Your Holy Spirit, that I may bring about Your will in every area of my life today and every day You give me here to serve You. This I pray in the awesome name of Jesus! Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
9Therefore, pray thus: Our Father, the One in the heavens; holy (hallowed) shall be your name. 10Let your Kingdom come; let your will come about as in heaven, also on earth. MOT
What is the significance of Jesus telling us to pray “Our” Father…”?
What does holy or hallowed mean to you?
What would it look like on earth if God’s will was done here as it is in heaven?
Today’s Challenge: I will live today with Our Heavenly Father in charge of all that I think, say and do!
Friday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You provide everything I need and so much more! Please, help me always to remember that it is not my effort or intelligence or perseverance that provides for me. It is YOU! Thank You for all you bless me with each day in my life. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
11Give us today our bread for today and for the coming day. MOT
What do these words of Jesus mean to you?
How do you think you would see these words differently if you lived in a land where material blessings were scarce?
Today’s Challenge: I will live with dependence on God for all that I need in body, soul and spirit!
Saturday
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I confess that I do not always forgive those who hurt me, who sin against me, who “owe” me. I ask for Your forgiveness in this area, because You have forgiven so much in my life and You ask me only to forgive the relatively little offenses that I experience by comparison. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I may, indeed, be Your child and demonstrate forgiveness in every situation. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflection on God’s Word:
12And forgive us the debts (sins, wrongs) of us as we also forgave our debtors (those who have sinned against us or wronged us.) 13And do not bring us into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. 14For if you forgive the people their sins (wrongdoing), your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive people, neither will Your Father forgive your sins (wrongdoing). MOT
How do Jesus’ statements about forgiveness make you feel about God forgiving you? What do you need to do about forgiving others that you haven’t done to this point?
What attitude does Jesus show about temptation, and how we should approach dealing with it?
Today’s Challenge: I will forgive those who offend me today that I may also receive the forgiveness of my Heavenly Father!