Junior is a very conscientious (careful to do what is right) person. He works hard to obey God’s word and prays often. In fact, it is his daily habit to pray and thank God for his food before every meal.
One day during his Bible study, Junior read Matthew 6:5-6. In this passage, Jesus warns against praying loudly in public just to show off. Junior realized that someone could easily misuse a holy thing like prayer to make themselves look good in front of others.
On Sunday after church, Junior’s family went to a local restaurant. Before the meal arrived, his father asked the family to bow their heads so he could say a prayer. Junior hesitated, unsure if praying in a public restaurant was the right thing to do.
Points to Discuss
What do you think Junior should do? Talk about this scenario with your parents or a friend, and consider the following questions:
- What is the difference between praying to show off and praying to thank God in public?
- How can we show gratitude for our food without seeking attention from the people around us?
- What was Jesus’ main warning in Matthew 6:5-6?
What do you think is the best way to handle this situation?
Private Reflection Journal
What is one thing from this study that you can apply to your life today? Jot down your thoughts below.