Christian Life Table Discussions
Fighting Temptation

Select Leader who will decide when to move from section to section. Choose the person who has a car closest to the year 2005.

Introduce one another and then, thinking back to your childhood, mention things your parents seemed to be most intent in telling you to watch out for or avoid doing.

Bible Basis. 1 Peter 5:8-9. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith. [NKJV]

Personalize. To help one another see the relevance of the topic for life today, please read over all the following questions, and then let people talk about any of them (it is not necessary to take them in order or to talk about all of them).

The Questions: Are there temptations that Americans are particularly susceptible to? What parts of American culture do you experience as a test to see whether you will truly put God first? Are there any weak areas Satan has discovered in you that He often tries to exploit?

God’s Word. After reading each verse, pull out insights into the nature of temptation and the strategy of resisting it.

James 1:13. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me,”for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. [NIV]

Matthew 4:1-4. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert, so that the devil could test him. After Jesus had gone without eating for forty days and nights, he was very hungry. Then the devil came to him and said, If you are God’s son, tell these stones to turn into bread.” Jesus answered, “the scriptures say …”  [CEV]

Ephesians 6:16-18. Above all taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of god. Pray at all times in the Spirit … [RSV]

Application. Based on the verses above, I think God’s will for me today is … (this may be different for each person)

Insight. What is there about me that keeps me from doing this? (This will provide insight into your sin nature, whether it be areas of deliberate disobedience or weakness. Seeing our sin afresh leads to seeing our savior afresh).

Christ. How is he the answer to the particular insights surfaced above (these would  include forgiveness for what is past, and strengthening your new life for the next time to temptation comes up). Prayer at this point could include repenting of sins, and asking God to bring about change.

Future. Promises to rely on next time the problem arises:

1 Cor 10:13. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and god is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it. [NASB]