Remember to prep for your group
- Pray for your group by name.
- Review the sermon recap, key scriptures, and takeaways.
- Choose which questions you will use for your group.
- Plan the prayer and ministry time.
🎬 Sermon Recap
This sermon continued the “Living in the Kingdom” series through the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on Matthew 6:1–8. Jesus warns His followers not to practice righteousness in order to be seen and praised by people. He specifically addresses giving and prayer, showing that even good and righteous actions can be done with wrong motives.
The preacher shared a personal story from the COVID season in the Philippines, where he helped lead relief efforts for those in need. Outwardly, the work looked generous and faithful, but inwardly, he wrestled with fear, reluctance, and a desire to appear like the leader people expected him to be. This connected to Jesus’ warning against hypocrisy—performing righteousness for the applause of others.
The central question of the sermon was: Who is our audience? Are we giving, praying, and obeying to be noticed by people, or are we living before God, who sees what is done in secret?
The good news is that through Christ, we are freed from performing for approval. Because we have been crucified with Christ, we no longer need to live for the crowd. We now live for the Father, who sees, knows, and rewards what is done in secret. The invitation is to repent, believe the gospel, and allow God’s love and approval to reshape our motives, worship, obedience, and identity.
The preacher shared a personal story from the COVID season in the Philippines, where he helped lead relief efforts for those in need. Outwardly, the work looked generous and faithful, but inwardly, he wrestled with fear, reluctance, and a desire to appear like the leader people expected him to be. This connected to Jesus’ warning against hypocrisy—performing righteousness for the applause of others.
The central question of the sermon was: Who is our audience? Are we giving, praying, and obeying to be noticed by people, or are we living before God, who sees what is done in secret?
The good news is that through Christ, we are freed from performing for approval. Because we have been crucified with Christ, we no longer need to live for the crowd. We now live for the Father, who sees, knows, and rewards what is done in secret. The invitation is to repent, believe the gospel, and allow God’s love and approval to reshape our motives, worship, obedience, and identity.
Key Scriptures
- Matthew 6:1–8
- Galatians 2:20
- Matthew 4:17
Key Takeaways
- Jesus calls His followers to righteous actions such as giving and prayer, but He also cares deeply about the motives behind those actions.
- Hypocrisy is not just doing wrong things; it can also be doing right things for the wrong audience.
- The applause and approval of people can become a false reward that keeps us performing instead of truly obeying.
- God sees what is done in secret, including hidden obedience, quiet generosity, and private prayer.
- Through the cross, Jesus frees us from the need to perform for acceptance.
- Our audience has changed: we no longer live for the crowd, but for the Father who sees and rewards.
- The Holy Spirit helps transform our hearts through conviction, confession, repentance, and encouragement in community.
- God’s love and approval are meant to shape our worship, obedience, and identity.
Leading the Group
👋 Welcome
Thank everyone for coming and making this group a priority in their lives.
💛 Vision
Why We Meet as a Group
1. We Follow Jesus Together (Life on Life)
We’re learning how to be with Jesus, and live like Jesus—growing in our faith, applying His teachings in everyday life, and helping each other take next steps.
2. We Become a Spiritual Family Together (Life in Community)
We’re building real relationships where we can be known, supported, and encouraged. As we practice things like prayer, Scripture, and sharing life together, God transforms us from the inside out, and we become more like Jesus.
3. We Live on Mission Together (Life on Mission)
We care about the people in our lives who don’t yet know Jesus. Together, we look for ways to love and impact our friends and neighbors with the gospel, and invite others into this community.
1. We Follow Jesus Together (Life on Life)
We’re learning how to be with Jesus, and live like Jesus—growing in our faith, applying His teachings in everyday life, and helping each other take next steps.
2. We Become a Spiritual Family Together (Life in Community)
We’re building real relationships where we can be known, supported, and encouraged. As we practice things like prayer, Scripture, and sharing life together, God transforms us from the inside out, and we become more like Jesus.
3. We Live on Mission Together (Life on Mission)
We care about the people in our lives who don’t yet know Jesus. Together, we look for ways to love and impact our friends and neighbors with the gospel, and invite others into this community.
📬 Announcements
📍 Introduction
We are in a journey together to explore Jesus’ famous sermon on the mount, where He gives us his vision of the good life; what life lived under his rule and in His kingdom is like in the midst of a broken world.
Read Text
- Matthew 6:1–8
- Galatians 2:20
- Matthew 4:17
Open in prayer
🔥 Warm-Up
- What is something you do that often goes unnoticed, but still matters?
💬 Suggested Discussion Guide
Please choose ahead of time which of the following questions you want to use for your c-group.
Discussion Questions
You don't have to answer all of these. Choose the most helpful for your group.
- Observation
- In Matthew 6:1–8, what repeated warnings or themes do you notice in Jesus’ words about giving and prayer?
- What does Jesus say is the difference between the reward people give and the reward the Father gives?
- The sermon described hypocrisy as “performing” or “putting on a show.” How does that help you understand Jesus’ warning in this passage?
- Personal Reflection
- The preacher asked, “When we do righteous acts, who is our audience?” How would you honestly answer that question in this season of your life?
- Have you ever done the right thing outwardly while your heart was in a very different place inwardly? What was that experience like?
- In what ways can the desire to be seen, praised, respected, or approved affect how we give, pray, serve, or lead?
- The sermon mentioned that social media can train us to value likes, reactions, and public approval. How do you see this shaping people’s motives today? How might it shape yours?
- Gospel Reflection
- Galatians 2:20 says, “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” How does being crucified with Christ free us from performing for the approval of others?
- What does it mean to you that the Father sees what is done in secret?
- Which truth do you need to believe more deeply right now:
- God sees me.
- God hears me.
- God delights in hidden obedience.
- I do not need to prove myself.
- Jesus has already secured my acceptance.
- Practical Application
- The sermon spoke to people whose giving or service has become mechanical. Are there areas where your obedience has become routine, tired, or disconnected from your heart?
- The sermon also spoke to those who feel intimidated, unqualified, or like they have nothing to give. Where might God be inviting you to take a small step of faith?
- What would it look like this week to shift your focus from the crowd to “an audience of One”?
Practical Applications
Of all we have discussed tonight, what is one step God is calling you to take in order to follow Him more fully this week?
In addition, you can mention some of these steps to consider.
In addition, you can mention some of these steps to consider.
- Practice one hidden act of giving.
Give your time, resources, encouragement, or help in a way that does not draw attention to yourself. - Spend time in secret prayer.
Set aside time to pray privately, not to impress anyone, but simply to be with the Father who sees and hears you. - Examine your motives before serving or giving.
Before doing a good work, pause and ask: “Who am I doing this for?” - Confess where you have been performing.
Bring to God any area where you have been seeking people’s approval more than His. - Take one step forward if you feel unworthy or empty.
If you feel like you have nothing to give, ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and show you one small way to respond. - Receive the Father’s approval through Christ.
Remind yourself this week: “Because of Jesus, I do not have to perform for acceptance. I am seen and loved by the Father.”
🙏 Prayer
Close your time by praying into these themes. Invite the group to pray either in smaller groups (men with men or women with women) or all together using this guide.
Father, thank You that You see what is done in secret. Forgive us for the times we have performed for the approval of others instead of living for You. Through Jesus, free us from the need to prove ourselves. Let Your love and approval shape our motives, our giving, our prayers, and our obedience. Holy Spirit, help us shift our gaze from the crowd to You alone. Amen.