Study Guide for Sermon on the Lord’s Prayer (Part 2)

04/10/2024 - Jamie Haxby




Study Guide for Sermon on the Lord’s Prayer

Study Guide for Sermon on the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:11-13)

Introduction and Reminder:

This guide is designed for use in group discussions or individual reflection. Please note, this session does not address clinical anxiety. If you are struggling with anxiety that feels overwhelming, we encourage you to seek professional help, such as a doctor or counselor.

Today, we are continuing our study of the Lord’s Prayer, focusing on the final verses found in Matthew 6:11-13. As a reminder, this prayer is part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ “manifesto” for kingdom living, and serves as a daily reminder of the things God wants us to remember and embody.

Bible Passage: Matthew 6:11-13 (NIV)

  • Give us today our daily bread.
  • And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
  • And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Main Points:

1. “Give us today our daily bread” (v. 11)

Jesus encourages us to trust God for our immediate needs. This includes physical provision, emotional well-being, and spiritual sustenance.

In a world where technology gives us the illusion of control, it’s easy to forget that we are not God. The prayer is a call to humility, reminding us that God provides, and we are to trust Him daily, not obsess over future needs.

There’s a balance between being responsible with what we have and trusting God for what we need.

Discussion Questions:

  • What does “daily bread” mean in your life? What are the needs you are trusting God to provide today?
  • How can technology sometimes deceive us into feeling like we are in control, instead of relying on God?
  • How does trusting God for daily provision change the way we handle anxiety about the future?

2. “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (v. 12)

Forgiveness is challenging, especially when people hurt or betray us deeply. Jesus calls us to forgive as we have been forgiven, which is an act of love, not merely a way to feel better about ourselves.

There are two unhealthy ways to deal with forgiveness:

  • Minimizing and avoiding the pain by “boxing” it away, leading to unresolved trauma.
  • Seeking personal vindication or justice first, which can lead to retribution, not true forgiveness.

Jesus’ model is forgiveness that seeks both justice and love, allowing for both healing and change.

Discussion Questions:

  • Why is forgiveness often difficult, especially when serious wrongs are committed against us?
  • What’s the difference between forgiving to feel better and forgiving out of love?
  • How can we confront wrongdoing and pursue justice without falling into bitterness or retaliation?

3. “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (v. 13)

This part of the prayer acknowledges our need for protection. It’s a reminder that we are vulnerable to temptation and evil, and we need God’s help to resist.

This line calls us to depend on God not only for our physical and emotional needs but also for spiritual guidance and protection.

Discussion Questions:

  • What kinds of temptations or struggles do you face regularly? How can you practically rely on God for strength in those areas?
  • How does acknowledging our vulnerability to temptation foster humility and dependence on God?
  • What might it look like to pray for protection from spiritual harm in your everyday life?

Application:

1. Daily Dependence on God:

Reflect on areas in your life where you are trying to be self-sufficient. How can you surrender those areas to God and trust Him to provide?

2. Forgiveness as Freedom:

Think of a situation where you are struggling to forgive someone. Ask God to help you let go of any desire for retribution and instead pursue forgiveness in love, while seeking justice in a way that honors God.

3. Avoiding Temptation:

Identify one area of temptation or spiritual struggle in your life. What practical steps can you take to avoid that temptation and rely on God’s help to overcome it?

Prayer Prompts:

  • Thanksgiving: Thank God for providing your daily needs, for forgiveness, and for His protection.
  • Forgiveness: Ask God to help you forgive those who have wronged you, even in difficult situations.
  • Protection: Pray for guidance and strength to resist temptation and ask God for protection from the evil one.


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Psalm 119:114

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