“DON’T MAKE A SHOW”
2022 Theme: “Doing Life with Jesus”
Week 21: “Don’t Make a Show”
Weekly Bible Bite: Matthew 6:5-18
Video lesson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bVUIm506iw (ADITW: Don’t Be a Hypocrite – for adults and older children)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhyvL0QFKHc (Douglas Talks – How to Pray)
Jesus told us that when we do things for God, we shouldn’t do it so that others will take notice. When we pray, we shouldn’t need a crowd to listen in. When we talk to God, we shouldn’t pray so that others can hear us, but so that God will. God loves it when we pray to him, but if we use prayer as an opportunity for others to give us a pat on the back and tell us how wonderful we are, why should God be happy about that? He isn’t!
Jesus said the same things applies to fasting. Fasting is when you go without something…maybe food or television time…to spend time with God. But if you attempt to have everyone notice that you are doing without ‘for God,’ Jesus tells us that their attention is the only reward you will get. God doesn’t want your relationship with him to simply be a show you put on for others. He doesn’t want us to be hypocritical…pretending to know and love God when what we really want is other people’s applause.
But what if no one notices how much you love God? Don’t worry…God notices! And he will reward us when we do things for the right reasons.
Family goal:
What is something your family can do for God this week…but keep a secret?!
[Be sure to pick a measurable goal involving a task so that children will know when they have completed it.]
Weekly verses:
Matthew 6:18b, NLT – “…your Father…knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”
Family activities:
• Colour the picture of the little boy praying.
• Can you find all the hidden words in the crossword puzzle?
• Spend some ‘secret’ time alone with God this week.
Prayer:
Thank you, God that we can talk with you and be your friend. Help us to care more about what you think, not what others think. Help us to remember what is really most important…making you happy!
