Lesson 2 of 3
Daily bread and forgiveness
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Study objective: Study the requests for daily provision and for forgiveness, and the link with forgiving others.
Reading: Matthew 6:11–12Matthew 6:14–15
Matthew 6:11–12 WEB
11Give us today our daily bread. 12Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.
Matthew 6:14–15 WEB
14“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Background and context
The prayer asks for bread “today”: enough for the day, as Israel received manna one day at a time. It then asks for forgiveness “as we also forgive”, and Jesus underlines the connection straight after the prayer (6:14-15).
Observe
- The request is for bread for today, not for years.
- Sins are described as debts (6:12).
- Our forgiving is joined to God’s forgiving (6:12).
- Jesus repeats the point after the prayer (6:14-15).
Words, people and events to notice
- Debts
- Matthew’s word for sins in the prayer; Luke has “sins” and “everyone who is indebted to us”. Luke 11:4
Understand
- Why might Jesus teach us to ask for bread for one day?
- How does Exodus 16:4 (manna) help explain this request?
- Why is forgiving others so closely tied to being forgiven?
Connect
- Exodus 16:4
Manna given day by day.
- Matthew 18:21–35
The parable of the unforgiving servant.
Reflect
- What does “enough for today” look like for you?
- Is there someone you find hard to forgive as you pray this line?
Key takeaways
Editorial summary, not Scripture.
- We depend on God for each day’s needs.
- Receiving forgiveness and giving it belong together.
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