Week 2 - Matthew 6:9
Why are we starting in Matthew 6:9 when the sermon begins in chapter 5? Great question!
I see the Matthew 6:9-13 as the center of the Sermon on the Mount. Not only is it the structural center of the entire sermon. I believe it's the theological center of the sermon. It's the table of contents for Jesus' entire pronouncement of the kingdom.
In fact, one author (Glen Stassen) has convinced me that each phrase of the Lord's Prayer corresponds to each successive section of the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:1-2 - "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name"
Matthew 5:3-16 - "Your Kingdom Come"
Matthew 5:17-6:8, 16-18 - "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven"
Matthew 6:19-34 - "Give us this day our daily bread"
Matthew 7:1-5 - "And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"
Matthew 7:6-12 - "And do not lead us into temptation"
Matthew 7:13-27 - "But deliver us from the evil one."
We'll take a closer look at these sections after we conclude our series on the Lord's Prayer.
As you dwell in Matthew 6:9, here are a few questions to consider and comment on:
1) What image comes to mind when you pray "Our Father in heaven?" Where does that image come from?
2) What significance do the pronouns "our" and "your" add to this prayer?
3) "Our Father" and "hallowed be your name" seem like opposite designations. One addresses God as a close relative. The other addresses God as one who is set apart. How can those designations coexist in this prayer? What should that tell us about our God?
4) What are some ways that Christians (those committed to putting the kingdom on display to the world) might seek to implement this passage today in order to proclaim the good news in 2012?
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