Main Scripture Reference - Matthew 6:16-18
Other Scripture References: Matthew 4:1-4; Isaiah 58:6-7; Ephesians 3:20-21

INTRO–‘Self Denial Sounds Crazy’

Self denial is counter to everything you have been taught because self indulgence has been hailed as king when it comes to life fulfillment. For the most part you have been taught that to get the most out of life you must lead a life focused on self indulgence, but Jesus tells a different story. Jesus proclaimed that less actually equals more and if you really are serious about having more life in your living you must first sit at the feet of denying yourself.

• What comes to mind when you hear the words self denial? How often do you really practice any form of self denial? Give an example.


• Name something you would physically miss if you decided to deny yourself its pleasure for one day? Could you ever give it up for a week or a month? Why or why not?

FASTING–‘Prerequisite to Power’Read Matthew 6:16-18

When Jesus talks about fasting he is talking about self denial. Fasting is a spiritual discipline of denying yourself from something that is pleasurable to the body or mind for the purpose of spending intentional time with God. You fast to please the Spirit not the flesh, and by denying the body you actually become more receptive to hearing from God as well as declare you mean business. And it’s when you draw closer and have that deeper relationship with God you begin taping into the power of God in and through your life.

• In what do you need some extra power to live for Christ or really become the Jesus follower you want to be? Have you ever thought about fasting for it?


• Focused self denial helps us grow stronger in relationship with God. In what part of your life could this really be helpful?

FASTING–‘Restores Life Priorities’Read Matthew 4:1-4

Not only is fasting powerful it also gives you focus so that you can prioritize or reprioritize your life. When you fast it helps restore the correct priority between your will and God’s will as well as focus on the spiritual instead of the physical. Fasting restores that priority where you are able to understand that the body primarily lives because of God’s Spirit and secondarily on the physical including food. It is the spiritual that actually brings true life and sustenance to your body.

• Fasting brings focus. Where do you need to refocus and/or reprioritize your life?


• Describe a time you fasted for a need, a change in life, or to be closer to God and it was a powerful experience. If you haven’t, will you give it a try?

FASTING–‘Helps do the Impossible’Read Isaiah 58:6-7 & Ephesians 3:20-21

Power and priority are crucial to a closer walk with God, but that’s not all that self denial can do in your life. Self denial will also move you to seeing the possible from things that seem impossible. When you live by human understanding and limitations many things may seem too hard to do or to hard to change. However when you live by God’s Spirit the impossible becomes possible and God will empower you to look beyond your own faith and actions to do incredible, seemingly impossible things by His strength.

• Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed or discouraged by circumstances seemingly beyond your control? How did you get through it?


• Where does God need to work in your life to do something that seems impossible or too hard for you to fix? Will you commit to fasting this week and allow God to move on your behalf?