We all enjoy appreciation for a job well done. But as we mature, we want our motives to be deeper than a desire for temporary applause from the crowd.

In our memory verses this week (Matthew 6:17-18), we see again this same repetitive message from Jesus:

Don’t be a righteous show-off.

Instead of emphasizing to others how much we suffer, what if we showed them our joy instead? Even in our suffering. Because even as we fast, we are being rewarded, if not now, for sure later.

Jesus didn’t say to live a deprived life but rather an anointed life.

Are you fasting this Lenten season?

Have you told anybody about it?

It’s not wrong to tell.

But what Jesus was warning his disciples about in Matthew 6:16 (this week’s memory verse) was this: don’t make a show of it.

It’s good to question our motives behind any of the spiritual disciplines that we practice. Jesus encouraged it.

• Are we giving so that others will praise us? (Matthew 6:2)
• Are we praying in public so people will see us? (Matthew 6:5)
• Are we fasting so men will notice? (Matthew 6:16)

If yes, then these disciplines are an end to themselves. Yes, we will receive praise, others will see, others will notice. These are powerful motivators that we are all lured by.

But is that really what we want?

As we memorize and meditate on Matthew 6:16 this week, may we ask ourselves:

Why am I doing this? Am I simply seeking admiration from other people?

Please share your thoughts in the comments.

“Trespasses” here means literally “falling to one side” (Greek word paraptoma).

Has anyone fallen on you lately? And hurt your feelings or wounded your relationship? How hard or easy has it been to pull out from under it, and love the person anyway?

Or perhaps you’re struggling to forgive yourself for yet another fall of your own.

We all fall off our chosen paths quite frequently, yet God awaits us with open arms each time we return back to Him.

As we read and memorize Matthew 6:14-15 this week, may we each be helped to forgive others and ourselves more easily as we remember how the Father forgives us. 

Are we in debt to God?

And if so, how could we ever pay that debt?

As we continue memorizing the Lord’s Prayer this week (Matthew 6:12-13), we see Jesus teaching His disciples to ask God to forgive their debts. The Jews frequently called sins, “debts.” So most scholars also view “debts” here as sins.

On our own, we can never undo all the damage our sins create from our disobedience and selfishness and lack of love for God and others.

Since we can’t pay it back (although we can offer restitution to others when possible), we need to be forgiven for it.

We all need God’s forgiveness of our sins on a daily basis. Jesus said to ask for it.

As God releases what we owe because of Christ’s payment for it, it loosens us to also forgive others the moral obligations we could hold over them.

Let’s praise God for our freedom from debt this week as we dwell on Jesus’s words.

[Note: Where’s the rest of the Lord’s Prayer in the ESV? The familiar doxology “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” is omitted in more modern translations. Because these words aren’t found in the most ancient transcripts, many authorities now dismiss their authenticity and no longer include them. However, the words still ring true and are valuable to know and recite.]

In Matthew 6, Jesus not only told His followers how not to pray (not like the hypocrites; not to be seen by others; not with empty phrases), but He also told them how to pray.

While we don’t have to use these exact words every time we talk to God (Jesus didn’t!), we can use this pattern of what we call “The Lord’s Prayer” to frame our own conversations with God.

This week we’re memorizing Matthew 6:9-11. Here Jesus begins his prayer with:

• Praising God’s holy name,
• Declaring that His kingdom and will be done, and
• Asking that daily needs be met.

Can we include these elements into our own prayers this week? 

On what occasions do you pray the Lord’s Prayer? Please share in the comments.

Are you scared to pray aloud?

For many, praying in front of others is akin to public speaking, one of their great fears. We’re afraid we’ll fumble our words; we’ll lose our train of thought; we’ll sound stupid.

Most of those fears are based on what? Fear of what other people will think about us.

But in our memory verses this week, Jesus says that praying aloud isn’t about being heard by men; it’s about being heard by God.

And one fear we need never have is thinking God will miss our message. Even before we say the words, and no matter how inarticulate we may phrase them, God already knows what we mean.

Regardless of whether we mumble or mess up or zone out, God hears our hearts and He is ready to answer our needs.

That’s one more blessing we can praise Him for!

How often do you pray in front of others? What scares you about it? What helps you? Please share in the comments.

This week we begin five weeks of verses in Matthew 6 on praying. [See the full schedule here.]

But whether you’re memorizing all of Matthew 6 with us or just reading along each Monday, please add one more thing: Pray!

Just as Jesus assumed that His listeners would be giving (Matthew 6:2-3), he also assumed here they would be praying. And not for public praise, but for private devotion.

As you go into your private place this week to talk with the Father, whether it be a literal closet or the great outdoors or in your car in traffic, remember who you are talking to and why you are talking to Him.

That’s what He’s listening for. And for that you will be rewarded.

Do you have a prayer closet? Where is your favorite place to pray? Please share in the comments.

The original practice of the ancient Jews was to give their alms in private. But by the time of Jesus’ arrival, the Scribes and Pharisees had made it into a more public affair, going against traditional Hebrew teachings. Jesus was clearly making a statement in this passage to counteract that practice.

How about today? Is it hard for us to give in secret, getting little or no human appreciation for what we do?

Does it help to know God always notices everything we do (and even intend to do)?

As we memorize Matthew 6:3-4 this week, let’s pray for contentment that if God sees our giving, that’s good enough.

God won’t let deeds done in private go unrewarded.

Do you struggle with being appreciated? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Do you want to be good? Why?

How important is it that others see you as good? Why?

The first two verses we’re memorizing in Matthew 6 begin with a bang: Motives matter. Jesus assumed that his audience would be helping others. That’s a given.

But he was more concerned with why.

Would we rather be good or just look good?

When we practice compassion toward others, how much does it matter to us that others are aware of it?

As you meditate on Matthew 6:1-2 this week, examine your heart beneath your actions.

Who do you want to get the credit for what you’re doing?

Update:
Registration is now closed.

But you can still print the materials and use them anytime!
Print the schedule here.

It’s here! Our newest chapter to memorize together is Matthew 6. Words straight from the mouth of Jesus.

Have you memorized with us before? We’d love to have you join again and be around to encourage newbies.

Or will this be your first time? What a rich chapter to begin with! Next Monday, January 11, we’ll post resources to get you off to a good start. Then on January 18, we’ll start memorizing Matthew 6:1-2.

If you look at the chapter now, you may discover you’re already familiar with many of the verses. The truths in these red letters are life-changing on:

• Giving
• Praying
• Forgiving
• Fasting
• Contentment
• Releasing anxiety

Once you register below, we’ll send you an email with more details. Then each Monday morning throughout the challenge, beginning January 18, you’ll receive a short weekly email, reminding you which verses we’re learning that week. We want to walk alongside each other for encouragement to keep going.

But more importantly, we want to keep our hearts stirred together to be attentive to what Jesus is speaking into our lives in this season. His words are always relevant.

There’s no reporting in, so even if you just want to receive the verses to read along with us, sign up below. But if you want more accountability, we’ll be chatting weekly on our Facebook page as a community of believers memorizing together.

Start 2016 with a great habit of listening quietly to the Lord’s timeless message to you. He won’t let you regret it!

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Download and print this Schedule for Memorizing Matthew 6.

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