Meeting guide · command 17

Fast In Secret

Fast for the Father rather than turning self-denial into a public display of spirituality.

Read

Read the complete passage aloud.

Primary passage

Matthew 6:16–18

16 “Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

World English Bible

Jesus assumes His disciples will fast and tells them to care for their appearance so the practice remains directed toward the Father who sees in secret.

Discuss

Listen carefully to what Jesus says.

  1. What does Jesus command?
  2. What does this passage reveal about Him?
  3. Where do we resist this command?
  4. What is difficult or unclear?
  5. What appetite does fasting expose in you, and how can secrecy keep the practice directed toward God rather than toward self-image?

Practice

Choose one specific act of obedience.

Choose a safe and appropriate fast from food, media, spending, or another appetite. Keep it private, use the freed time to pray, and do not fast from food if health needs make that unwise.

Return

Come back and discuss what happened.

What did the fast reveal about desire, dependence, or distraction, and how did you turn that discovery toward God?

Close together

Pray. Then prepare to teach.

Pray

Father, meet us in hidden surrender. Show us what controls our appetites and teach us to hunger for your presence and kingdom.

Teach

Teach fasting as voluntary, God-directed self-denial—not punishment, spiritual competition, or a practice that ignores medical wisdom.