This page continues to study Matthew chapter 7 and the Sermon on the Mount. There are more Bible puzzles and quizzes for your enjoyment in learning.

Main Points

Asking of God

Prayer consists of two kinds of communication to God (Php 4:6; 1Th 5:16-18)

Jesus, in his sermon on the mount, teaches us about the second of these. Asking of God was the emphasis in the Lord’s example prayer in Matthew 6. Now, in chapter 7, Jesus reasons with us as to why we should ask of God (Mtt 7:7-11).

Jesus shows us that we are dealing with a God different to the gods of human imagination. They are usually fickle and often cruel. The true Father in heaven is anxious to give good things generously, to all his children who ask of him in the proper spirit (2Co 9:8; Jas 4:3).

The gifts that God gives in answer to our requests are never disappointing gifts. Jesus pictures a son who asks for bread, and his father picks up a stone. A stone might have a similar shape and appearance to a small loaf, but it would be no use to a hungry boy. Or maybe the son asks for a fish, and his father catches an eel or a sea snake. A Jewish boy could not eat such a "fish", because it would be unclean food to him. God is not a father like that. When we ask of God, we receive good gifts.

Paul put this principle in very strong words: God is "able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think" and we can be "filled up to all the fulness of God" (Eph 3:14-21).

John says, "We know that he hears us in whatever we ask, so we know that we have the requests which we have asked from him" (1Jn 5:14-15; 3:22). No wonder Jesus says, "Ask and it shall be given you".

Quick Quest

No need to type the answers, just guess the answer, then use the question mark button to display the correct answer.

Find the nouns in Matthew 7 to match the adjectives...

Narrow
Ravenous
Wise
Good
False
Good
Foolish
Rotten
Broad
Great

Deep Thought

Deep Thought

These questions are for you to think about and discuss. Other parts of this lesson may help you with the answers.

What is "it" that we will receive if we ask, find if we seek, and have opened to us if we knock? (v.7-8)

In verse 12, which part of the law and the prophets is Jesus referring to? Compare Mtt 22:34-40. Verse 12 starts with "Therefore..." suggesting that what Jesus enjoins is connected to what he has previously said (verses 7-11). Can you see the connection?

What Jesus says about asking and receiving in Mtt 7:7-11 develops two statements in chapter six which tell us what God sees (Mtt 6:6) and what God knows (Mtt 6:8,32). Remind yourself of these, and look up also, Heb 4:13; 1Sm 16:6-7; Mtt 10:29-31.

What attribute of God stands out in Mtt 7:7-12? Hint: the answer lies in the contrast in verse 11

What Is It?

Use numbered buttons to reveal answers in the slot at the bottom of the set.

What lies at the end of the broad way along which most people are travelling?
What can a rotten tree not produce?
What must we do to enter the kingdom of heaven?
What must you first remove from your own eye before you judge and correct others?
What does God give to those who ask him? (As a matter of interest compare Luke 11:13)
What tells you whether someone is a false prophet?
What will Jesus say to some people who call him Lord? (Part of the answer is a quote from Psalm 6:8)

Puzzle

Mtt 6:5-13, 7:7-11. Complete the words down with letters that spell a word from left to right.

G P A S A F E W O
I E R M E O P I
F A E E K O N I L E V
R Y S D D L L E

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