Satan knows how to exploit our weaknesses. He knows the pressure points for each one of us that will lead us to compromise. He will often put obstacles and temptations in our way when we are tired, emotionally spent, or broken to try and lead us away from God. We often forget that temptation is a direct assault from the evil one. He often surrounds us with temptation in this Forgotten War. This small groups study explores what it takes to overcome temptation.
What are some situations or scenarios where you might be tempted the most? (The donut shop, late-night channel surfing, walking past the "clearance" sign at Target, etc.)
1. What kinds of temptations trip people up in our culture?
2. Read Luke 4:1-13. In what ways is Satan tempting Jesus during a time that He was weak?
Luke 4:1-13 Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry. Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’” Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. I will give it all to you if you will worship me.” Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you.And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.
Luke 4:1-13
Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.
Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.”
But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.’”
Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. I will give it all to you if you will worship me.”
Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you.And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”
Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”
When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.
3. Why, specifically, do you think that the Devil tempted Jesus with these three things? How did Jesus stand up against these attacks?
4. How did Satan twist the Bible to accomplish his own purposes? How does the evil one do this today?
5. Read 1 Corinthians 10:12-14. How does God provide a way of escape when we are tempted?
1 Corinthians 10:12-14
If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols.
6. What are some temptations that you are currently facing? How can this group help you to stand up against these pressure points?
7. What are some ways you can choose to be a person of conviction this week?
Another area that Satan ensnares us is by tempting us to seek the approval of others constantly. Instead of being consumed with what others think about us, we have to come to an understanding that the only opinion that matters is God's. As a group, work through the assessment we gave you to see if you are seeking God's approval over the crowd. Here are the questions we would like you to process:
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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
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