Going deeper with OBSERVING in Bible study

Read Matthew 6: 5-15 (NKJV)

When making observations, look for:
• Key words (circle our underline them)
• Repetition/patterns of words & phrases (circle and number them)
• Structure — look for groupings
• Contrasts and similarities (draw arrows)
• Good questions to ask
• define/look up key words
• Cross references to find other key relative passages
• Timeless truths
• Applications
• Attributes of God
• Warnings
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In the Matthew 6 passage above, what are 3 key words repeated multiples times? How many times?
1. PRAY 6X
2. FATHER 6X
3. FORGIVE 6X

List some CONTRASTS you have observed
• Street corner vs secret place
• Seen by men vs seen by God
• Vanity reward vs God’s reward

Define KEY WORDS to the text:
• “Hallowed”: Dedicated & set apart for Holy purposes
• “Debts”: a literal debt or offence/sin
• “Trespasses”: failings/sins

Attributes of God
• God is Father
• God knows all things — even secret things
• God portrays Himself as male
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More observations:

Warnings
V5 “You shall not be like the hypocrites”
V7 “Do not use vain repetitions like the heathen”

Types of prayer:
1. Hypocritical & showy: Prayer is supposed to be to God & for His attention, not other men.
2. Authentic: prayer shaped by God as audience

Structure of the prayer:
Vs 9-10 God-focused adoration
Focus on His Fatherhood
Focus on His kingdom — by laying down our will for His

Vs 11-13 Us-centered supplications (askings of God)
Ask God for our daily needs
Ask God for forgiveness — as we forgive others
Ask God for everyday protection from Satan and temptation

Vs13b God focused adoration & praise

Good questions:
1. What “reward” does one get with authentic prayer?
2. What is God’s “secret place”? (A. vs6,9 = Heaven)
3. Who are our “debtors”?
4. Do we parrot this prayer or use as pattern?
5. What is prayer?
6. Why is forgiveness so important? Why is it conditional?
7. What is God’s kingdom?
8. Has God’s kingdom not come?
9. Have others been led into temptation? (yes. Jesus, Job, Peter)
10. Is this condemning corporate prayer?
11. If God is Father, what is He not? (Mother, daughter, uncle, etc.)

Timeless Truths:
• God desires that our prayers reflect worship and praise
• God rewards us as we pray authentically
• God rejects hypocritical prayer
• Forgiveness is not optional and so important in day to day life
• God sees our hearts
• We need to pray for deliverance from Satan’s influence