BIG IDEA
Today we are talking about something that we can all relate to: temptation. From the moment we are children facing the temptation to sneak extra cookies in the kitchen (at least my three-year-old niece faces this!) to today, temptation will always be a part of our lives. While this is true, it is also true that we are not defenseless against it. We can fight against it when it comes. Today in our Bible study together, we will see that Jesus Himself faced temptation. His incredible example encourages us to fight against temptation when it comes.
BREAK THE ICE
Which dessert is the most tempting for you?
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some major temptations that people are facing today?
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read Luke 4:1-4. Describe Jesus’ circumstances as Satan tempted Him.
Luke 4:1-4
"Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry. 3 Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone."
"Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.
3 Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.”
4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone."
3. Read Luke 4:5-13. What do these verses teach us about Satan’s tactics when he tempts us?
Luke 4:5-13
"Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 “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. 7 I will give it all to you if you will worship me.” 8 Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” 9 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! 10 For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you.11 And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” 12 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” 13 When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came."
"Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 “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. 7 I will give it all to you if you will worship me.”
8 Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”
9 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! 10 For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you.11 And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”
12 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”
13 When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came."
4. Describe Jesus’ response to temptation in these verses.
Application
1. Have you noticed that there are moments when you are more likely to give in to temptation (e.g. when you are hungry, tired, lonely, etc.)? What are they?
2. How does memorizing Scripture aid us when we are tempted?
3. What temptations do you find yourself particularly vulnerable to, and how does Jesus’ example help you as you consider how to fight temptations?
MOVING FORWARD
If we want to follow Jesus’ example and use Scripture to fight against temptation, we must know Scripture. As a group, commit to studying Scripture together. Pick a reading plan to walk through together, whether it is the Daily Devotions or the New Testament reading plan on the Sagebrush app. Decide as a group what to study and talk about the Scripture you are studying throughout the week. Let this Scripture fill your hearts and minds so that you can fight against temptations when they come.
Going Deeper
We have seen that Scripture played a large role in Jesus’ fight against the temptations that Satan threw at Him. So let’s spend a few minutes looking at the Scripture that Jesus quoted in response to Satan’s temptations to understand just how important it is to know Scripture when faced with temptation.
Temptation One: Satan tempted Jesus to break His fast and turn the stones (which looked like pita bread!) into bread.
Temptation Two: Satan tempted Jesus to bow down to him, and he would give “all the kingdoms of the world” over to Him.
Read Deuteronomy 6:11-15.
Temptation Three: Satan tempted Jesus to test God by jumping off the highest point of the temple.
Read Deuteronomy 6:16-19.
Reflect:
We see clearly from Jesus’ example that memorizing Scripture is vital as we fight temptation. If you have not already, think about a temptation you often face or may even be currently facing. Think of or look up verses that relate to your struggle and select a passage of Scripture to memorize that relates to your struggle. Share with your group the verse that you would like to memorize. Let these passages of Scripture come to mind when temptations are thrown at you.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
John 13:34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.
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