Don't be Religious with your Religion

OUTLINE:

Main Point: Jesus wants his disciples to live because of the reward of relationship with the Father, not personal gain.

I. Please the Father v1

II. Giving to the Father v2-4

III. Prayer to the Father v5-8

IV. Fasting for the Father v16-18

A. How

B. What

C. When

D. Why

Beyond the Walls (Grace and Growth)

Weekly Reading:

Day 1 – The Danger of Spiritual Performance

Scriptures: Matthew 6:1; Galatians 1:10

• Why do you think Jesus begins with a warning instead of a command?

• What subtle ways might we seek human approval in our spiritual lives?

• How does seeking God’s approval free you from the exhausting need to impress others?

Day 2 – Giving in Secret

Scriptures: Matthew 6:2–4; 2 Corinthians 9:7

• What motivates your generosity — compassion or recognition?

• How does quiet giving cultivate humility and trust in God’s provision?

• What is one act of generosity you could do this week that only God would see?

Day 3 – Praying Without Pretending

Scriptures: Matthew 6:5–6; Philippians 4:6–7

• What does Jesus reveal about our hearts when prayer becomes performance?

• Why is private prayer so central to a genuine relationship with the Father?

• How can you make your time alone with God more honest, not more eloquent?

Day 4 – Avoiding Empty Words

Scriptures: Matthew 6:7–8; Ecclesiastes 5:1–2

• What do “empty repetitions” look like in your own prayer life?

• How does remembering God already knows your needs change the way you pray?

• What would it look like to replace repetition with reverence?

Day 5 – Fasting for the Father’s Eyes

Scriptures: Matthew 6:16–18; Isaiah 58:6–9

• Why does Jesus care about the attitude behind our fasting more than the act itself?

• What kind of fast does God desire — and how does it draw us nearer to His heart?

• In what area of your life might God be calling you to practice quiet dependence this week?