Temptation of Jesus
Immediately after Jesus’ first public appearance, His baptism, He was led by the spirit of God to a desert. After 40 days of fasting, specifically from food, Jesus was tempted by the Devil in three specific areas of life. While Jesus would continually be tempted throughout His life, this time period not only emphasized the temptation, but is an example of how to wrestle with temptation and overcome it. We will face similar things. Through Jesus’ example we also can overcome.
Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13
Discussion topics
- Jesus was tempted as we are. Temptations are not bad. It is what we do when tempted that can help us turn to God or away from God. Do you see temptations as ways to turn to God rather than rely on your own resources?
- Do the temptations of Jesus seem different from the ways we are tempted? Are there similarities? Underneath the different temptations of Jesus, there is the invitation of Satan where he denies his identity as the Son of God. Are your temptations an invitation to deny the kind of person you want to be? Instead, do you turn to unhealthy ways to satisfy yourself?
- By resisting the temptations, Jesus chose to depend on his Father to satisfy his deepest hunger, relate with others in an ordinary way, not rely on reputation, power and possessions. How do we satisfy your deepest hungers? Do we depend on prestige and power to make ourselves acceptable to others?
- What is your one take away with this passage and Sunday’s sermon?
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