Notes + Questions: Fasting

Fasting: Matthew 6:16–18

Matthew 6:16–18

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 

Fasting in the Old Testament

• The Old Testament commanded fasting on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29-31 and 23:32-37; Numbers 29:7). 

• During the Exile, the Jewish people expanded the practice of fasting (Zechariah 7:3-5 and 8:19).

Fasting’s spiritual purposes include (According to Whitney):

• strengthening prayer (Ezra 8:23; Joel 2:13; Acts 13:3)

• seeking God’s guidance (Judges 20:26; Acts 14:23)

• expressing grief (1 Samuel 31:13; 2 Samuel 1:11–12)

• seeking deliverance or protection (2 Chronicles 20:3–4; Ezra 8:21–23)

• expressing repentance and returning to God (1 Samuel 7:6; Jonah 3:5–8)

• humbling oneself before God (1 Kings 21:27–29; Psalm 35:13)

• expressing concern for the work of God (Nehemiah 1:3–4; Daniel 9:3)

• ministering to the needs of others (Isaiah 58:3–7)

• overcoming temptation and dedicating yourself to God (Matthew 4:1–11)

• expressing love and worship to God (Luke 2:37)

What is Fasting?

• Spiritual discipline

• Changing yourself to be in agreement with God’s plan and to receive the fuel to carry out your part in his plan.

• Prayer & Fasting go hand in hand

Matthew 9:14–15

Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 

Matthew 6:16

“And when you fast…”

Matthew 6:16

"…do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward."

Matthew 6:17–18

"But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." 

Rewards of fasting

• Prayers are answered - fasting and prayer are deeply connected

• More of God himself - God satisfies more than food or drink

• Isa. 55:1-2

• Rev. 21:6

• Ps. 34:8

• Rev. 22:17

Fasting in the early church

Acts 13 & 14 

The Temptation of Jesus

Matthew 4

Applications:

1. Fasting is Soul Care

“If we are awakened to see fasting for the joy it can bring, as a means of God’s grace to strengthen and sharpen Godward affections…then we might find that we hold a powerful tool for enriching our enjoyment with Jesus”

-David Mathis, Desiring God

2. Pattern of Fasting:

• Inward (to express repentance)

• Outward (to grieve hard circumstances)

• Forward (to seek God’s favor)

3. A call to prayer and fasting!

Community Group Questions/Discussion Topics:

1. Are you satisfied in your relationship with God? What does that relationship look like?

2. Do you think that fasting is a command? Why or why not? 

3. Who has fasted? Share some of your experiences with the group. What went well? What didn’t?

4. Develop a plan to fast this month and share those hopes with the group.