Favor of Fasting

Review

Last week we learned the Lord’s Prayer.

We were challenged to pray daily.

Did you do it?

Introduction

Today we are going to learn about fasting.

Can anyone tell me what “fasting” means?

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Fasting

A ritual of abstaining from food and/or drink for a predetermined period; practiced in the Bible primarily as a means of mourning. Fasting frequently occurs in the Old Testament in response to suffering or disaster, in conjunction with other mourning rituals.

Fasting is NOT starving yourself. It is not done to lose weight (that is self-centered), but to draw closer to God (worship-centered).

Handouts (Brooklyn)

Passage

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 6

HOW TO FAST

16 “Whenever you fast, don’t be gloomy like the hypocrites. For they make their faces unattractive so that their fasting is obvious to people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward.

17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,

18 so that your fasting isn’t obvious to others but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Five W’s

Who: (speaker): Jesus, (audience): disciples, hypocrites, people, and Father (God).

(Note: the kids will re-read through the passage, taking note of all the people involved.)

When: whenever you fast.

(Note: here they are looking for any reference to time.)

Where: in secret.

(Note: here they are looking for locations. Typically, we note geographical locations, but this passage did not mention any.)

What: explain what you see happening in this passage in your own words.

Unlike the Pharisees (“hypocrites”) that fasted in public to get attention, followers of Jesus will fast to seek God.

The Pharisees (“hypocrites,” the religious leaders during that time) fasted in public to get attention and demonstrate their “holiness” to others.

Their reward was the praises of the people.

Followers of Jesus, however, fast in secret and are seen by God.

Their reward is a deeper affection for and closeness with God.

Why: Jesus desires for His followers to seek God, not attention from others.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 6

In contrast to a disheveled disposition, Jesus instructs His disciples to maintain their personal appearance so that no one but the Father will know of their fasting.

Jesus expects His followers to fast.

He did so Himself: He fasted 40 days in the wilderness after His baptism (Matt. 4; Luke 4).

Can you imagine not eating anything for that long? (Who wouldn’t be hangry then?!)

Christians will typically fast to intensify their prayers.

Whenever their tummy growls, they take a moment to pray for an important need (that’s a lot of praying!)

Some may fast and pray when a loved one is dying or rejects Jesus as their Lord.

Others may fast when they need God’s help making a big decision:

What should I do after high school?

Should I get a job? If so, what shall I do?

Should I go to college? If so, where?

Should I join the military? If so, which branch?

Should I marry my boy/girlfriend?

Fasting demonstrates a serious trust and devotion to God, knowing that He will provide.

How

The principle of this passage is to draw closer to God, not seek attention from others.

This week I will skip one meal/snack (if able to) and pray whenever my stomach growls.

Memory Verse

Rom. 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Have students write this down.