The Christian & Fasting

Introduction:
Jesus taught that our righteousness is not to be performed to be seen of men. (6:1) We must watch our righteousness in what we do with others (giving of alms); in what we do with God (prayer); and in what we do with ourselves (fasting.) How many lessons have you heard on fasting? Think about it much? Does it have a place in your life? Many in the Lord’s church have shied away from fasting because of some of the teachings on today’s religious world. We must remember that in all things balance and proper understanding are essential! Today’s lesson will look at the subject of fasting in a general sense and then we close by looking at it in relation to Jesus’ sermon on the mount.

I. Fasting in the Old Testament:
    A. On the ______ of _____________. See Lev. 16:29; 23:27-29, 31; Num. 29:7
        1. A day of holy convocation; a day of absolutely no work.
        2. Jer. 36:6; Acts 27:9—it became known as the _____ of ___________.
    B. Israel fasted in times of ___________.
        1. 1 Sam. 31:13; 1 Chron. 10:12—when bones of Saul & sons found.
        2. Zech. 7:5—during 5th & 7th month during 70 yrs of exile.
    C. Was done by ______________ during times of ___________.
        1. 2 Sam. 1:12—David—upon hearing of Saul’s death.
        2. Neh. 1:4; Nehemiah; Dan. 6:18—Darius
    D. Some miscellaneous examples are:
        1. Jehosaphat & all Israel in 2 Chron. 20:3; Ninevites in Jonah 3:5
        2. Esther in Est. 4:3, 16; 9:21; Moses in Ex. 34:28; Ezra in Ez. 10:6

II. What exactly is fasting? It’s Purpose?
    A. It is ______________ from food for ____________ purposes.
    B. It is not the general discipline required of a Christian.
        1. It is something __________, ___________, & _______________.

III. Should Christians fast today?
    A. 6:16—teaching of Christ…._______________you fast.
        1. He _________ His disciples would ______. “When,” not “if.”
        2. Mt. 9:14-15—disciples would fast ________ His ________.
        3. While teaching us how to fast, He said:
            a) 6:18b—when done properly it would bring God’s good pleasure.
              b) 9:16-17—it needs to be done only at the _____________ time.
            c) 17:20-21—there are occasions when ________ needs to be joined with fasting.
    B. NT Christians fasted—Acts 13:1-3—Christians at ___________ fasted.
        1. Acts 14:23—fasting took place in ________ church.

IV. Improper motives behind fasting.
    A. Fasting merely for the sake of _____________.
        1. Should only be done when the ______________ calls for it.
    B. To be ________ _____ _________. 6:16….God not pleased by any means!
    C. Without _______________ - Isa. 58:3-9. Must be accompanied by penitent obedience!
    D. With a desire for __________ or _____________ results. Blessings of fasting are indirect, not direct!
    E. Fasting for ______________ blessings. This confuses the physical with the spiritual.

V. Some practical advice for those who choose to fast:
    A. Don’t go out and fast just because it __________ ______ a great thing to do. Should be a means to an end.
    B. It should be done without ___________ ___________ to self.
    C. Be ___________ when you fast. Don’t take an extreme position.
        1. Forget all other people. Don’t _________ about that others are _____________.

Conclusion:
Fasting is done to help a person draw closer to God. Would you like to be closer to Him? Obey the gospel today!



The Christian & Fasting Introduction: Jesus taught that our righteousness is not to be performed to be seen of men. (6:1) We must watch our righteousness in what we do with others (giving of alms); in what we do with God (prayer); and in what we do with ourselves (fasting.) How many lessons have you heard on fasting? Think about it much? Does it have a place in your life? Many in the Lord’s church have shied away from fasting because of some of the teachings on today’s religious world. We must remember that in all things balance and proper understanding are essential! Today’s lesson will look at the subject of fasting in a general sense and then we close by looking at it in relation to Jesus’ sermon on the mount. I. Fasting in the Old Testament: A. On the ______ of _____________. See Lev. 16:29; 23:27-29, 31; Num. 29:7 1. A day of holy convocation; a day of absolutely no work. 2. Jer. 36:6; Acts 27:9—it became known as the _____ of ___________. B. Israel fasted in times of ___________. 1. 1 Sam. 31:13; 1 Chron. 10:12—when bones of Saul & sons found. 2. Zech. 7:5—during 5th & 7th month during 70 yrs of exile. C. Was done by ______________ during times of ___________. 1. 2 Sam. 1:12—David—upon hearing of Saul’s death. 2. Neh. 1:4; Nehemiah; Dan. 6:18—Darius D. Some miscellaneous examples are: 1. Jehosaphat & all Israel in 2 Chron. 20:3; Ninevites in Jonah 3:5 2. Esther in Est. 4:3, 16; 9:21; Moses in Ex. 34:28; Ezra in Ez. 10:6 II. What exactly is fasting? It’s Purpose? A. It is ______________ from food for ____________ purposes. B. It is not the general discipline required of a Christian. 1. It is something __________, ___________, & _______________. III. Should Christians fast today? A. 6:16—teaching of Christ…._______________you fast. 1. He _________ His disciples would ______. “When,” not “if.” 2. Mt. 9:14-15—disciples would fast ________ His ________. 3. While teaching us how to fast, He said: a) 6:18b—when done properly it would bring God’s good pleasure. b) 9:16-17—it needs to be done only at the _____________ time. c) 17:20-21—there are occasions when ________ needs to be joined with fasting. B. NT Christians fasted—Acts 13:1-3—Christians at ___________ fasted. 1. Acts 14:23—fasting took place in ________ church. IV. Improper motives behind fasting. A. Fasting merely for the sake of _____________. 1. Should only be done when the ______________ calls for it. B. To be ________ _____ _________. 6:16….God not pleased by any means! C. Without _______________ - Isa. 58:3-9. Must be accompanied by penitent obedience! D. With a desire for __________ or _____________ results. Blessings of fasting are indirect, not direct! E. Fasting for ______________ blessings. This confuses the physical with the spiritual. V. Some practical advice for those who choose to fast: A. Don’t go out and fast just because it __________ ______ a great thing to do. Should be a means to an end. B. It should be done without ___________ ___________ to self. C. Be ___________ when you fast. Don’t take an extreme position. 1. Forget all other people. Don’t _________ about that others are _____________. Conclusion: Fasting is done to help a person draw closer to God. Would you like to be closer to Him? Obey the gospel today!