GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD - Jesus Revolution - Bible Study

"Give us today our daily bread." - MATTHEW 6:11

This is where a lot of people’s prayers tend to start and end: asking for things. We’ve all asked God to give us something we’d like or to help us out of a situation that we don’t like. Often, these sorts of prayers include promises that are rarely kept as we try to bargain with God: “If you do this for me, then I promise I’ll never do this again… or I’ll start doing that instead” Or whatever our personal tendency is in negotiation tactics.

You don’t have to negotiate with God, and that’s good news. Honestly, you don’t have any ability to bargain with Him. Trying to do this is natural but ultimately indicates a lack of faith.

What are some examples of prayers that were really just you trying to make a deal with God to get what you want?

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What promises have you made in desperate moments of trying to get God to help you? Did you keep your promises?

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You can be encouraged to see that Jesus taught His disciples to bring their requests to God. It’s not selfish to ask for what we need or even what we want. As our heavenly Father, He is both willing and able to take perfect care of His children. He doesn’t need our promises or bargains to be faithful.

How would you summarize Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:9–11?

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During the time of Moses, God led the children of Israel out of captivity from Egypt. They had to learn to trust the goodness of God and His will for them. He not only saved them, He literally provided for them. One of the ways that the Lord met their needs while also reminding everyone of His goodness was to miraculously provide bread from heaven each morning (except for on the Sabbath when He would provide a double portion on the morning before). They called this heavenly bread “manna,” which means, “what is it?” No earthly explanation could be given for what they experienced.

During Jesus’ ministry, people tried to manipulate Him by challenging Him to provide them with bread like Moses had done (John 6). On at least two occasions, we know that Jesus did miraculously multiply bread to feed huge crowds that had gathered to hear His teaching and to see what miracles He would do. But Jesus wouldn’t be manipulated or bargained with. Instead, He invited people into a relationship with God through faith in Him. He wanted to meet both their temporary physical needs and their eternal spiritual needs­—both matter to our heavenly Father and to His Son.

What did James, the half-brother of Jesus, say about God’s provision in James 1:17?

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In James 5:13–18, what did he say about the power of prayer and specific requests?

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To end, read and reflect on Matthew 6:25–34. Ask God to meet all of your needs and trust that He will do so out of His love for you.

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