In this series we are taking a close look at the Lord’s Prayer where Jesus modeled for us how we should pray. As you start each week, say the prayer together. It will be encouraging to see how much more meaningful the prayer is as you progress through your study of each phrase, understanding the history and intention behind each one. This will take the place of your introduction question and will focus everyone on the study before them.
Matthew 6:9-13
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’
Leader Tip: Have someone in the group read through the Lord’s prayer. Note that the bolded print is the area of focus. Treating God’s name in a holy manner.
hal·lowed /ˈhæloʊd; in liturgical use often ˈhæloʊɪd/ Show Spelled[hal-ohd; in liturgical use often hal-oh-id] Show IPA adjective regarded as holy; venerated; sacred: Hallowed be Thy name; the hallowed saints; our hallowed political institutions.
Exodus 20:7
7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Leader Tip: Notice the third commandment; do not misuse the name of the Lord. This week’s topic is using the name of the Lord in a holy manner.
Do you have a nickname? What is the story behind your name or nickname?
Leader Tip: This should be an easy question for your group to answer. Your group can talk about how their parents chose their first name, or how they received their nickname.
Read the following passages: We will be studying how the people were misusing the temple of God as a way for their own interests, over God’s interest.
Mark 11:15-17
15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’[c]? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’[d]”
John 2:12-16
12 After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”
What were the people in the Temple doing and what was Jesus’ response?
COMMENTARY:
The people: They were buying and selling animals (cattle, sheep, and doves). They were buying and selling the animals for sacrifices. There were money changers and dealers exchanging foreign currency. They were using the Temple as a marketplace
Jesus’ response: He was angry. He made a whip with rope. He drove out the people. He stopped everyone from using the temple marketplace. He chased the dealers out. He knocked over the tables of money changers. He drove out the livestock. He told the people selling the doves to get out of there. He scattered the money all over the floor. He quoted Scripture saying, “My temple will be called a place of prayer for all nations, but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” He reminded everyone this was the Father’s house and was to be kept holy and used only for those things of God—not making money.
Cultural and Historical:
The Jewish Temple was a magnificent structure. It soared some fifteen stories above the Kidron Valley floor to the east. It was nearly 500 yards long and 400 yards wide. The outer court of the Temple compound was nearly the size of fifteen football fields.
The purpose of the businesses within the temple grounds was legitimate and legal and offered a needed service. Faithful Jews were expected to offer animal sacrifices and financial gifts at the Temple. Oftentimes pilgrims who had traveled from afar found it more convenient to buy their animals in Jerusalem rather than transport them across the country.
Jesus entered the temple grounds on the Monday of the last week of His life on earth. His triumphant entry into Jerusalem had taken place three days earlier, and he knew his betrayal, trial and death were eminent.
When Jesus entered the temple grounds pens of sheep, goats, doves, and other sacrificial animals were everywhere. Moneychangers operated other tables. The priests and/or other local politicians maintained strict control over the franchises for these temple businesses, often demanding a kickback. Once a limited number of merchants had a corner on the market, they were free to conduct business as they pleased. The moneychangers would charge exorbitant fees. Similarly, the animal sellers would mark up their prices.
The priests had a system to take care of any competing markets that might crop up outside the temple grounds. Before an animal could be sacrificed it had to pass a temple inspection. The priests who were getting a kickback would simply reject any animal that didn’t come from their licensed merchants. The whole system was filled with greed and corruption.
How do you see people do things in the “name of God,” yet what they are doing is not motivated by God?
Leader Tip: Have your group consider people they know who go to church with motives other than worshiping or growing their faith. There are those who go to network and to put on appearances. There are those who serve only to be seen serving or only for something nice to be put on a resume.
What are reasons that people use or leverage the name of God?
Leader Tip: There would be a lot or reasons for people to use the name of God in their work endeavors—first of all, the name of God carries a lot of weight in most circles. Motives seem pure and noble when associated with the name of God. Sometimes people use the name of God to set a tone for what they are seeking. Most often, when people use the name of God for personal gain, their motivation is complete selfishness
What can people do to bring their actions more in alignment with what God really wants and make it less about what they want?
Leader Tip: The first thing people need to do is recognize that what they are doing is not right; then they can begin to address their actions and tweak them to be more in line with God’s will. For instance, if someone is doing service work for the mere benefit of what it will do for a college application, they can step back from that particular activity and consider what they really want the end result to be. If they are passionate about the cause, they simply have to focus more on the cause and less on their personal gain. But there are other more serious situations that go deeper than just a change in focus—a change of heart is really what is needed.
Where in the past have you done something in the name of God, yet it had nothing to do with God? How did it make you feel?
Leader Tip: As a leader you may want to be the first to answer this question, as it can be a bit painful to answer. There may be guilty feelings or regret as people share, so be prepared for an emotional response. Have your group consider even the most subtle personal gain they got from doing something for the church, such as wehen they were in youth group to meet that cute boy or girl, or when they went on a missions trip because it was somewhere they always wanted to see, or going to the men’s breakfast to be with that business contact they haven’t been able to get time with. May you got free registration for your kids if you volunteered for VBS and you chose the position with the least time and effort. In this situation, the focus was not on helping the ministry, but rather the free admission. How do you feel at the end of the day? Most likely it was an empty feeling at best. The difference between doing something for the Lord and say you’re doing something for the Lord is huge, and the results are evident in how you feel when it’s over.
Where in your life are you (even in the most subtle way) using God’s name for personal gain instead of God’s glory?
Leader Tip: Sometimes it feels like you’re doing the right thing, but if you look at your motivation you see that the opportunity to profit personally, relationally, and financially far outweighs the possibly of profiting spiritually. Consider your church activities, your charitable works, your service opportunities, your business ventures, and your leisure activities. How many have the name of God associated with them? How many are really about furthering his kingdom, growing your relationship with him, or bringing glory to him?
What would it look like for your motivation to be to honor God instead of yourself?
Leader Tip: The goal? That feeling of fulfillment, that God is pleased with you and that you have done the right thing for the right reason, is one that you can claim every day.
What are ways that you feel like you authentically honor the name of God?
Leader Tip: So often we can tend to be hard on ourselves, only focusing on the ways we are not doing what God has called us to do, or not being the way God wants us to be. Use this question as a way to let people share how they are honoring God in their life. Also, this is a great time for other members to affirm what they see in each other, a great affirmation time.