Why does unannounced deprivation act as a spiritual lens?
Apr0
Matthew 6: 16 – 18
What is your absolutely favorite meal, and why is it your favorite?
Why does Jesus assume that his disciples are going to be consistently fasting?
Why is Jesus emphasizing rewards so directly in his discussion of spiritual disciplines?
How might fasting from food for a period of time help someone begin to “hunger and thirst after righteousness?”
Obviously don’t answer this aloud, but when was the last time you skipped a meal to focus more on your spiritual life?
Why is fasting a discipline that is particularly difficult for American Christians to practice?
How does life in the city make fasting from food a very challenging thing to do?
How are you going to build into your life the discipline of fasting from food?
What are some other kinds of things from which you can fast besides the obvious choice of food and drink?
Select something in your life from which to fast this week. Why did you choose the thing you chose?
How would it feel to meet a person who, like the hypocrite in verse 16, is making their choice to fast obvious to those around them?
Describe the instructions that Jesus gives in verse 17. How would you paraphrase these principles for our contemporary situation?
Why is it so important to Jesus that self deprivation is practiced secretly?
What is a religious or moral act that you try to get personal attention for practicing?
If you are fasting on a particular day, is it wrong to ask someone to help hold you accountable? Is it wrong to tell a friend of family member of your decision if they invite you to eat with them? How illusive can we be with these topics without becoming dishonest?
What steps should you take this week to make your spiritual disciplines more private in your practice of them?
What are some spiritual disciplines that you really need to add to your life? How can we help you as a group to accomplish those things?
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