Message Notes
Look Back
What toxic thought did you confront and replace with God’s truth? What specific truths from God’s Word did you meditate on this week to reshape how you think and respond?
Look Up
Read 1 Cor 10:12-13
- Why does Paul start this passage with a warning to be careful “not to fall” into temptation? Why is this warning important to people who are trying to follow Jesus?
- What impact does knowing that others face the same temptations have on the way you respond when tempted? How easy is it for you to share your temptations with others? What helps you or holds you back?
- What do these verses say about God and how he responds when we are tempted?
Read James 4:7-8
- What does James promise God will do when we submit to Him in these verses? How does this help you better understand and explain why God allows us to be tempted?
Read 1 Timothy 6:9-12 and 2 Timothy 2:22-24
- Paul warns us that “falling” into temptation can have harmful consequences. How can someone recognize that they are “falling” for a temptation and what do these verses say we should do instead?
- Paul says we are to “pursue” righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, peace and gentleness when we flee temptation. How does this challenge or comfort you? Who can you reach out to for help doing this when you face temptation?
Overall (Discovery Bible Study)
- What do these scriptures say about God?
- What do they say about people?
- How will I apply this to my life?
Look Ahead
What is one temptation that has been hitting you the hardest lately? What is your escape plan? How would your fight with temptation change if you started every day fully submitted to God?
Notes
Paul reminds us that temptation is a fight we all face. We tend to believe lies over truth, and those lies often separate us from God and others. Fighting temptation alone is doomed to fail, but God always provides a way out, and a way back to Him. When temptation shows up, and it will - when it whispers - when it pops up unexpectedly - when it promises something you know it can’t deliver - don’t reason with it - resist it with truth - flee from it and run to Jesus.
