I'LL PRAY ABOUT IT - Deliver Us

Icebreaker:

What is your dream car?

When have you been tempted to spend money on a luxury item?

Prayer:

During this series on prayer, determine to spend more time in personal prayer each day. As a group, pray before your discussion. Start a prayer log to record requests and answers. Check the church’s weekly email blast for needs to add to your log.

Overview:

Temptation can make us do things we wouldn’t normally do. I once bought an expensive purse during a “retail therapy” session after a difficult day at work. I didn’t need the purse. I didn’t really like the purse. Once I came to my right mind, I returned the purse. It would have been better had I prayed in my weak moment for God to rescue me from my temptation instead of trying to salve my hurt feelings with pretty things. An expensive purse is a harmless example of a momentary temptation. Sometimes the results of temptation are more hurtful and have ramifications that can span generations. Heavenly Father deliver us from temptation.

Discussion:

Review theme scripture from Matthew 6:5-15.

Read Matthew 4:1-11, James 1:12-15 and 1 Corinthians 10:12-13.

And don’t let us yield to temptation,

but rescue us from the evil one. -- Matthew 6:13 NLT

With what three things did the evil one tempt Jesus?

Why was Jesus vulnerable to temptation?

How did Jesus overcome the temptations?

What is the source of our temptations?

How does temptation progress to sin?

What happens when we try to overcome temptation without God’s help?

How does God deliver us from temptation?

Activity:

Consider areas of your life where you are easily tempted. They could be unhealthy reading or viewing habits, overeating or excessive drinking, impulsive spending or unjustified anger. Only you know where you are vulnerable to temptation. Pray for God to show you ways of escape.