Discipleship – Giving, Prayer, and Fasting

Matt 5,6,& 7 the blueprint of discipleship

Matt 5: v 1-2

‘When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them saying…..’

Ch 6:1-18  3 spiritual disciplines bringing us greater freedom

1. Giving to the Poor v 2 – 4 (frees us from greed and covetousness)

• Do it in secret and you will be rewarded by God the Father

2. Prayer v 5 – 15 (frees us from independence from God)

• Do it in secret and not dependent on an abundance of words
• Our prayer should have 2 focus points
  • Fatherhood of God
  • the Kingdom of God

3. Fasting v 16 – 18 (frees us from unbelief)

• 2 hindrances to living in the Spirit
  • Self will
  • The insistent self-gratifying appetites of the body
• Mark 2:18-20