All of us need a lifeline at times in our lives. One of the times we need a lifeline is when we face temptation. Temptation often makes us feel isolated, hopeless, and alone, but we are never without hope or left alone when tempted. So today, we will take a deep dive into Scripture to reach out for the lifeline that God offers when we are tempted.
Break the ice
When was a time you were stuck and needed a lifeline?
Small group questions
Bible study questions
- Name some ways people usually respond to temptation.
- Read 1 Corinthians 10:13. What does this verse teach us about temptation?
13The 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.
- According to this verse, how does God show Himself to be faithful when we are tempted?
- Read Proverbs 28:13. Contrast the impact of concealing sin versus confessing sin. How have you seen this to be true in your life?
13People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
Application
- Do you think the ways out of temptation are difficult or easy to recognize? Why?
- Name some examples of the ways out of the temptations that we face.
- What is an area of your life where you are prone to temptation? What might be "a way out" when you
Moving forward
One of the biggest ways to fight temptation is through prayer. Break up into groups of two or three and pray for each other. Pray specifically for each other in the ways you are tempted. Commit to praying for each other throughout this next week. Your prayers are a reminder that none of you are alone when it comes to your temptation.
Going deeper
As long as we live on this earth, we will battle against temptation. Temptation is a result of living in a world corrupted by sin. This thought is not comforting to many of us, but it urges us to prepare for temptation. After all, if we prepare for temptation, we will be better able to fight against it when it comes. Let's spend the next few minutes looking at what Scripture says about preparing for temptation.
Read and Memorize Scripture:
One of the reasons we can be confident that we are not alone in our temptation is because Jesus Himself experienced temptation. He knows what it is like to face temptation, yet He never gave in to sin. As He battled against temptation, He set an example for us to follow. Look at what Scripture says about Jesus' temptation in Matthew 4.
1. Read Matthew 4:1-11
The Temptation of Jesus
1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.
3During that time the devil[1] came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”
4But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,
‘People do not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[2] ”
5Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say,
‘He will order his angels to protect you.
And they will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’[3]”
7Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’[4]”
8Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9“I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
10“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God
and serve only him.’[5] ”
11Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
Translation notes (5)
- 4:3 Greek the tempter.
- 4:4 Deut 8:3.
- 4:6 Ps 91:11-12.
- 4:7 Deut 6:16.
- 4:10 Deut 6:13.
- What stands out to you about Jesus' response to His temptation?
- Why is understanding Scripture and knowing it well vital when it comes to our temptations?
Pray:
Before Jesus was arrested and crucified on the cross for our sins, He spent time alone in the Garden of Gethsemane and prayed in Matthew 26. After being by Himself to pray for some time, He went to His disciples who were also in the Garden. He looked at His disciple Peter and gave Him a warning that we can all learn from when we are tempted.
1. Read Matthew 26:36-41.
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
40Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 41Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”
- Why did Jesus tell Peter to pray?
- How does prayer help us in times of temptation?
- Why is praying against temptation important even before moments of temptation?
Ask for Help:
1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that any temptations we face are also "faced by others." That means that we are not alone and that others can identify with our struggles and help us walk through our temptations. Look at what Scripture says about turning to other Christ followers during temptation.
1. Read James 5:16. What does James call followers of Jesus to do in this verse? How does doing these things help us as we battle temptation?
16Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
2. Read Galatians 6:2. How can we help bear each other's burdens when we face temptation?
We Harvest What We Plant
2Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Reflect:
Now that we have discovered three ways to respond to temptation let's reflect.
- When it comes to fighting temptation, why is preparation essential?
- Which of the three ways we talked about fighting temptation, reading and memorizing Scripture, praying, and asking for help do you want to grow in? Why?
- Name one specific, measurable, and attainable way to grow in that area now.
The more we memorize Scripture, the better we will be able to fight against temptation when it comes. So, over the next week, pick a Scripture to memorize that can encourage you when you are tempted. Then, when you come back together next week, please share with your group the Scripture you memorized and how it has impacted you when it comes to temptation.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
Living in the Light
2Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us[1] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Translation notes (1)
- 5:2 Some manuscripts read loved you.
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