Small Group Leader's Guide
April 19th, 2009
Series: Life
Topic: When Life is Tempting
April 19th, 2009
Series: Life
Topic: When Life is Tempting
Getting Started
What would you be more tempted to lie about - your weight, or your age?
If you couldn’t eat anything for a day, and someone put food in front of you, what food would most tempt you to eat?
Digging Deeper
1) Earlier in the book of James we learned about trials. What is the difference between a trial and a temptation?
Trials are situations designed by God to get you to grow. Temptations are situations designed by the Devil to get you to sin. Temptation is an invitation to sin. God won’t invite you to sin. For example -a trial is when your boss treats you lousy at work. A temptation is when you say, since I've going through this hard time at work - I'm going to lie on my expense forms.
2) Verse 13 says that God doesn’t tempt us, but does He ever lead us into temptation? If so, why?
Jesus was led into temptation – Matthew 4:1
The Lord’s prayer says “lead us not into temptation
3) Read 1 Corinthians 10:13, what truths about temptation can we learn from this verse?
- God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear
- God will provide a way so you can stand up
4) James 1:14 tells us that temptation happen when our own evil desires drag us into sin. The book of James points out the issue of desires in causing spiritual problems in our lives. Read James 4:1-2. What does this say about desires?
5) James 1:14 uses a fishing analogy, what bait is most likely to get you to bite. When the devil wants to trip you up, what temptations, situations, pressures, people does he tend to use? 2 Corinthians 2:11 talks about being aware of Satan’s schemes. What schemes does He use in your life? What can you do to be more aware?
6) Jesus fought temptation with God’s word, and James 1:18 also points us to God’s “word of truth”. How does God’s word help us when being tempted?
7) Let’s say you have a desire in your life that’s tripping you up spiritually. How do you deal with the desire? Do you ask God to take the desire away? Do you redirect the desire to something good? Do you try to self-discipline yourself? Use some examples of real life situations and think through ways to experience God’s help when our desires draw us into sin.
Putting it into practice
1. What temptation are you battling? In what way do you need prayer?
2. Based on the “bait’ question above, what steps can you take to stand strong against temptation and be aware of Satan’s schemes?
3. What Bible verse could you memorize that would help you deal with that particular temptation?
What would you be more tempted to lie about - your weight, or your age?
If you couldn’t eat anything for a day, and someone put food in front of you, what food would most tempt you to eat?
Digging Deeper
1) Earlier in the book of James we learned about trials. What is the difference between a trial and a temptation?
Trials are situations designed by God to get you to grow. Temptations are situations designed by the Devil to get you to sin. Temptation is an invitation to sin. God won’t invite you to sin. For example -a trial is when your boss treats you lousy at work. A temptation is when you say, since I've going through this hard time at work - I'm going to lie on my expense forms.
2) Verse 13 says that God doesn’t tempt us, but does He ever lead us into temptation? If so, why?
Jesus was led into temptation – Matthew 4:1
The Lord’s prayer says “lead us not into temptation
3) Read 1 Corinthians 10:13, what truths about temptation can we learn from this verse?
- God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear
- God will provide a way so you can stand up
4) James 1:14 tells us that temptation happen when our own evil desires drag us into sin. The book of James points out the issue of desires in causing spiritual problems in our lives. Read James 4:1-2. What does this say about desires?
5) James 1:14 uses a fishing analogy, what bait is most likely to get you to bite. When the devil wants to trip you up, what temptations, situations, pressures, people does he tend to use? 2 Corinthians 2:11 talks about being aware of Satan’s schemes. What schemes does He use in your life? What can you do to be more aware?
6) Jesus fought temptation with God’s word, and James 1:18 also points us to God’s “word of truth”. How does God’s word help us when being tempted?
7) Let’s say you have a desire in your life that’s tripping you up spiritually. How do you deal with the desire? Do you ask God to take the desire away? Do you redirect the desire to something good? Do you try to self-discipline yourself? Use some examples of real life situations and think through ways to experience God’s help when our desires draw us into sin.
Putting it into practice
1. What temptation are you battling? In what way do you need prayer?
2. Based on the “bait’ question above, what steps can you take to stand strong against temptation and be aware of Satan’s schemes?
3. What Bible verse could you memorize that would help you deal with that particular temptation?
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