Righteous Religion
Matthew 6:1
[1] “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. What do people typically mean when they accept “spirituality” but reject “religion”? What can be problematic about this distinction?
2. Consider the fact that Jesus presupposes certain practices of righteousness. What role do “disciplines” play in your understanding of the Christian life?
3. Discuss practices that we can put in place for helping others, relating to God, and mortifying our flesh.
4. Why does Jesus use the language of caution in this verse? In what ways can practicing our righteousness be dangerous?
5. How is the behavior described in 5:16 different from what we find in 6:1 as it pertains to doing our deeds before others?
6. What is the reward replacement that happens when our practices are “before other people in order to be seen by them”?
