To place the class in focus this week:

1. Read Matthew 6:2-4 at least once a day.
2. Find moments in the day when you can think about these verses.
3. Think of specific instances when people are given help for the wrong reasons.
4. Think of specific instances when people are given help for the right reasons.

Questions:

1. How much charity work is done because "it is good for business" when a company, an independent business, or a advertisement/promotion agency seeks to build an image or reach a particular customer group?

   1. Can an individual's actions be motivated by similar objectives? Explain your answer.

   2. Can you give specific illustrations of this practice?

   3. In what ways is the practice good?

   4. In what ways is the practice bad?

   5. How does this practice relate to Jesus' statement, "They have received their reward in full."

2. What was an "alm"?

   1. Why did the Jewish people give alms?

   2. When did the Jewish people give alms?

   3. Can you give examples of gifts in the American culture which parallel the practice of giving alms?

   4. Does the American culture encourage or discourage this practice? Why?

3. How could a person be hypocritical in giving alms to people in need?

   1. What did the person want and seek by giving the alm?

   2. Why was the person "paid in full?"

David Chadwell

Building a Healthy Faith Study Guide (lesson 2)
Sunday morning young adult Bible class, Summer Quarter 1999
West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, AR

Copyright © 1999
Permission is granted to freely copy and distribute with text unchanged, including author's name.

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