Sermon Snapshot (Luke 4:1-13)
After a dynamic encounter at his water baptism, involving both the Father and the Holy Spirit (Lk.3:21-23), Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Here he was tempted by the devil for 40 days during which he ate no food. We learn five lessons from this story:
- We are in a spiritual war (Eph.6:12).
- Satan will attack us (1 Pet.5:8-9. Eph.6:11).
- He targets our weakness (Eph.4:27).
- We can overcome (1 Jn.4:4)!
- Personal victory precedes public victory (1 Sam.17:37).
Discussion Questions[The aim of the discussion time is to get people talking, sharing and opening up. In this very process, people learn and grow. The objective is not to come to all the right answers or to cover the subject completely from a theological viewpoint]
- Why do you think God allows us to go through times of testing and temptation?
- Describe a time when you thought you were under a "spiritual attack" (or someone you know). What happened and what were your feelings at the time?
- If you were the devil (or a head demon), what strategy would you use you defeat you? In other words, what are your weak or vulnerable areas?
- Where could the enemy easily trip you up?
- When we feel we are under attack, what are some things we can do to overcome?
- What are some ways we can help one another win the "spiritual war"?
- Share one experience from your life where God helped you overcome a difficult situation. What did you learn from this and how could you be an encouragement and help others?
Wrap UpConclude by spending some time praying for a greater awareness of the spiritual realm, strength to overcome temptation and faith to reach our and help others be set free from the devil's power.
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