July 7, 2024
John Harris

Religious Theater

Helping others is

1. When you help someone in
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   , don’t
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   the
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   of others.
   

2. When you help someone in
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   , don’t
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   yourself.
   

3. When you help someone in
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   , quietly
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   in the
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   of God
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   .
   

1. Read Matthew 6:1-4. What is the main point Jesus is trying to make in this passage?
   

2. In verse 2, how does Jesus describe the person who sounds the trumpet? (Read also Matthew 23:5-7).
   

3. How does this passage connect to the concept of righteousness? (Read also Matthew 23:25-28).
   

4. Why is it important to avoid showing off our good deeds?
   

5. What does Jesus mean by “do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing”? How would you describe the problem of self-congratulation?
   

6. What is the significance of verse 4? Is it ok to desire a reward from God? (2 Corinthians 5:9-10)
   

7. What are some challenges we face in living out this passage in our daily lives?
   

8. How does Jesus’ teaching on giving to the needy challenge our cultural norms around philanthropy and charity? What does it mean to do good deeds “in secret” in today’s world of social media and public recognition?
   

9. In what ways can our religious practices become performative, and how can we guard against this tendency?
   

10. How can we help others in need in a way that is genuine and pleasing to God? How can we ensure our motives for doing good are pure, rather than driven by a desire for praise or recognition?
    

11. What are some practical steps we can take to align our actions with Jesus’ teachings in this passage?