Matthew 6:5-8 | “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!

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Luke 15:20-30 | “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He

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Matthew 23:25-26 | “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.

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Matthew 23:1-7 | Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. “Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi.’

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Though many claim the title “Christian” or proclaim assurance of their eternity in Heaven, the Bible is clear that salvation comes only through Jesus as Lord. This begins first with the realization that we need Jesus. On our own, apart from Him, we are helpless. That attitude of humility and reliance on Christ is the attitude God’s followers should have.

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Luke 23:34a | Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

• How was Jesus mistreated? What did His enemies do to Him?

• Did Jesus’ offenders ask for forgiveness or say sorry? Why did He forgive them any way?

• What can you learn from Jesus’ example of forgiveness? How will you put it into action?

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Romans 12:19-21 | Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

• Have you ever wanted revenge? When?

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Luke 6:27-28 | “But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.

• Today’s verse goes a step further than forgiveness. Do you think you can live out Luke 6:27-28 if you haven’t forgiven your enemy? Why or why not?

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