Big Idea
None of us like being deceived. Even well-intended, practical jokes do not often go over well. Why is this true? As human beings, we have a desire within us to know and want to hear the truth. Scripture teaches that we have an enemy, Satan, and he is a deceiver. He is constantly deceiving us, but Scripture teaches us that his deception with be even greater in the end times after Jesus returns. Because Satan is a deceiver, it is vital that we hold on to the truth that can be found in God’s word.
BREAK THE ICE
When is a time someone played a trick on you? What happened?
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Bible Study Questions
1. Why do you think the enemy works so hard to deceive us?
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4. What warning does Paul give in these verses? Why?
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
"Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God."
3. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:5-12. How will the “man of lawlessness” be deceptive?
2 Thessalonians 2:5-12
"Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, 12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
4. Read 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14. How can we respond to the gift of salvation from these terrible times?
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
"But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Application
1. In what ways do you see Satan deceiving people in our world today?
2. Are there any areas in your life where Satan might be deceiving you? What are they?
3. What are ways that we can cling to truth?
MOVING FORWARD
Hopefully, everyone in the group has shared an area where they are being deceived or ways he has been deceptive in the past. As a group, talk about how each of you can cling to God’s truth in the middle of deception. Have each person share how they will fight for God’s truth daily. How is holding onto salvation so critical during these times? How can you share the gift with others this week?
Going Deeper
From the beginning of time, Satan has been a deceiver. That is why we need to know the truth. After all, when we know the truth, it is much harder to be deceived, isn’t it? Today we are going to look at Satan’s history of deceiving in Scripture in the Old and New Testaments. Then, we will see how Scripture teaches us to know the truth and fight against Satan’s deception.
Deception in the Old Testament:
1. Read Genesis 3:1-7.
2. How is Satan, in the form of a serpent, described in these verses?
3. How did Satan deceive Eve in these verses? (There are multiple answers to this question.)
4. What was the immediate result of falling for Satan’s deception? (See verse 7.)
Deception in the New Testament:
1. Read Luke 4:1-13.
2. Name some of the different ways that Satan tried to deceive Jesus?
3. How did Jesus fight against Satan’s deception?
4. Looking back at 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10. Why did these people fall under deception?
Fighting against deception:
Read Ephesians 6:17. How is the Bible described in this verse? What does a sword do, and how does Scripture do the same thing when fighting the deceptions that Satan throws at us?
Reflect:
1. Do you see any common themes or threads when looking at the different ways Satan deceives? What are they?
2. What are ways to be rooted in truth so that we can stand firm against the enemy’s deception?
3. We saw that the Bible is described as the sword of the Spirit. Take a moment to evaluate; how is your sword? Is it dull, rarely picked up and used, is it sharp, or is it somewhere in between? Why?
Whether our swords are sharp, dull, or somewhere in the middle, we all have room to grow in knowing the truth from God’s word. So take a moment to think about one way you can dive into the truth of Scripture this week. Maybe you want to memorize Scripture and read it consistently every day for the next week. Maybe you want to begin a new reading plan. Whatever you decide, share it with your group. Then, as you go throughout your week, share with each other the impact that diving into God’s truth is having in your lives.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
1 Corinthians 2:9 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
©2024 Sagebrush Church
