Week 5
Read: Matthew 4:3-11 and your notes from Sunday morning’s sermon.
Intro: Last week we talked about the importance of Jesus going into the wilderness to be with God. This week, we look at the temptation he faced there. After 40 days and nights in the wilderness, Jesus was hungry. He is first tempted to use his power for his own gratification and to satisfy his own hunger. Jesus knew he could do this easily, but he had no need to impress the evil one. He also relies on the truth and finality of scripture, which he and satan both know is true and unchanging.
Next, Satan tells Jesus to throw himself from a great height. Satan even uses scripture this time to try and convince Jesus! The temptation here is for Jesus to try and manipulate God. Jesus recognizes this and goes back to scripture again to correct satan. (Deuteronomy 6:16)
The third thing Jesus is tempted with is all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus quotes scripture again (Deuteronomy 6:13) Jesus chooses to worship God alone! He won’t serve the devil for earthly gain.
Questions:
1. Throughout this entire interaction, Jesus never chooses to serve himself. Jesus came to a lowly place and would ultimately die to save others. Even when tempted to do something as small as use his power to end his own hunger, he chooses not to. His example here is profound! Even with no one around to see, and with a temptation that would cause no harm, he is obedient to God. Have you ever disobeyed God in a way that seemed harmless? Why do you think it is important to obey God even when the outcome of disobedience would be harmless and no one would know?
2. Why is knowing scripture important as we learn to follow Jesus? In what ways can knowing scripture help us in our everyday lives?
3. Have you ever asked God to do a miracle? Taking it a step further, have you ever asked him to do something to PROVE his existence or goodness or faithfulness? Jesus exemplifies a trust in God that needs no test. Why is it important to have this level of trust with God?
Feel free to discuss or ask additional questions as they arise
Spiritual Practice: You’ve been practicing christian meditation for a couple of weeks now. Last week we asked you to “be on the lookout for scenarios like decision making, times of greif or distress, when you need rest, or when you are about to start something new, and try meditating during those times.” After practicing this, did you notice any differences in yourself? Take some time to share how practicing meditation has effected you. Think back on a time over the last week where you made an important decision, experienced grief, or needed rest. If you chose to meditate during that time, what was the outcome of that? Write this down. If you did not practice meditating, think of how you felt, what your reaction was to the experience. Write this down. How might your feelings and reactions have looked if you had taken the opportunity to include God in those moments? Write this down as well.
This week, continue to make the space and time for meditation with God. Share your positive experiences with Christian meditation with your group throughout the week as an encouragement to one another. This takes practice! So when you do forget, make it a point to reflect on it afterwards so that you can recognize those opportunities more readily in the future. We will wrap up our study of meditation over the next couple of weeks, so really take advantage of this time to practice it together with your community group.
Closing verse: Colossians 3:16 – Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
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