Matthew 6: The Sermon on the Mount, Part 2

New Testament: Student Study guide, (2003), 15–16

Matthew 6 is a continuation of Jesus’ sermon on the mount. In this chapter He especially emphasized the blessings that come from putting the Lord first in our lives and worshiping Him because we love Him—not because we want others to think we are righteous. The counsel in verses 25–34 was especially for the newly-called Apostles, and although this specific counsel may not be for all of us, each Church member can apply the principles taught in those verses.

Understanding the Scriptures

Matthew 6

Take heed (v. 1)Make sure 
Alms (vv. 1–4)Help for the poor 
Synagogues (vv. 2, 5)Churches, places of worship and study 
Vain repetitions (v. 7)Repeating the same things over and over in a way that does not mean anything 
Heathen (v. 7)People who do not believe in the true and living God 
Hallowed (v. 9)Holy, sacred 
Debts (v. 12)Sins, faults, offenses 
Trespasses (v. 14)Sins 
Countenance (v. 16)Appearance, especially the expression on the face 
Disfigure (v. 16)Make it look bad 
Corrupt (v. 19)Ruin 
Despise (v. 24)Strongly dislike, hate 
Mammon (v. 24)Worldly riches 
Raiment (v. 25)Clothing 
Sow (v. 26)Plant 
Reap (v. 26)To pick or harvest ripe fruits or vegetables 
Add one cubit to his stature (v. 27)Increase his height 
Toil (v. 28)Work 
Spin (v. 29)Make yarn or thread for cloth 
Arrayed (v. 29)Clothed (meaning taken care of) 
Wherewithal (v. 31)How 
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (v. 34)Take care of today’s work and don’t let the problems foreseeable in the future rob you of what you can accomplish today. 

Studying the Scriptures

Do activity C and one other activity (A or B) as you study Matthew 6.

Activity A iconFind the Pattern

What was similar in the counsel Jesus gave about giving alms (Matthew 6:1–4), praying (vv. 5–15), and fasting (vv. 16–18)? What do you learn from this repeated idea about what Jesus considers true righteousness?

Activity B iconThe Lord’s Prayer

Matthew 6:5–15 contain some of Jesus’ most basic teachings on prayer. Verses 9–13 have commonly been called the Lord’s Prayer. Consider each verse of the prayer and write in your notebook what you think we are to learn from that specific part of Jesus’ example of prayer. For greater understanding, you may want to look up “amen” and “prayer” in the Bible Dictionary (pp. 607, 752–53).

Activity C Scripture Mastery iconScripture Mastery—Matthew 6:24

  1. 1.

    Considering what Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, how is the person in each of the following three examples trying to serve two masters? What might eventually happen in each situation?

    1. a.

      Michael (age 18) chose to have a job that requires him to work every Sunday so he can save money for his mission.

    2. b.

      Donna (age 16) says she is doing missionary work by having a steady boyfriend who is not a member of the Church.

    3. c.

      Brother Smith (age 35) pays tithing and extra fast offerings on the money he makes selling products in which he is not entirely honest with his customers.

  2. 2.

    How could Jesus’ counsel in Matthew 6:19–23, 33 help solve the problem spoken of in verse 24?

  3. 3.

    What did Jesus promise to those who chose Him as their Master? (see Matthew 6:20, 22, 33).