5/2/09 Leader's Guide

Small Group Leader's Guide
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?

Leader's Guide 4/19/09

Small Group Leader's Guide
April 19th, 2009

Series: Life

Getting Started

• Can you think of a situation in your life that was hard at the time, but looking back, God used it to help you grow? What happened?

• James 1:2 says that we face trials of “many kinds” what “kind” of trial are you currently facing?

Quick Review of James 1;1-4

• In a nutshell, why are we to consider it pure joy when we go through trials of many kinds?

• Why do you think difficulties are part of the spiritual maturity process?


Digging Deeper - A main point on Sunday is that God uses difficulties in our lives to develop maturity, to make us like Jesus. For this week’s small group, we’re going to study a passage in Hebrews that shows how God uses hardship to shape us. As a group, read Hebrews 12:1-13

Vs 4 - How does verse 4 help put hardship in perspective?

Vs 7 Says, endure hardship as discipline. God is treating you as son. Did God treat his Son, Jesus with hardship? Why?

Vs 10 - According to verse 10, what is the purpose or product of this discipline?

Vs 11 - What does the first part of verse 11 recognize?

Vs 11 – What does the second part of verse 11 remind us of?

Vs 2-3 - If you’re going through a hard time, how can Hebrews 12:2-3 help you?

Making it Personal

• Are there Bible verses that you find comforting during difficult times? Share one with the group

• Are you in middle of a difficult time? How well are you responding to your situation? Do you have any hints of how God may be using your present circumstances to help you mature?