HOW TO OVERCOME TEMPTATION

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MEETING AGENDA

  1. OPENING PRAYER – Ask one person to open the meeting in prayer.
  2. GROWTH QUESTIONS – Ask everyone the Growth Questions.
  3. ATTENDANCE – Take attendance through the DG Attendance System.
  4. TODAY’S LESSON – Go over this week’s DG lesson.
  5. GIVING – Encourage everyone to give on the App.
  6. CLOSING PRAYER – Ask for prayer requests and pray.

GROWTH QUESTION #1

Who would like to share a highlight, praise report, or testimony from this week?

GROWTH QUESTION #2

What did you learn from this week’s sermon?

GROWTH QUESTION #3

What was your most important accomplishment this week?

TODAY’S PASSAGE:

Luke 4:1–13 (NLT) 4 Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry. 3 Then the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” 4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone.” 5 Then the devil took him up and revealed to him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 “I will give you the glory of these kingdoms and authority over them,” the devil said, “because they are mine to give to anyone I please. 7 I will give it all to you if you will worship me.” 8 Jesus replied, “The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.” 9 Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! 10 For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect and guard you. 11 And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.” 12 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.” 13 When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he left him until the next opportunity came.

INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS

What stood out to you from this passage about how Jesus responded to temptation?

Point #1

BE LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOT BY THE FLESH

  • Being Spirit-led does not mean temptation disappears, but it means we are empowered to overcome it.

  • When we are led by the Spirit, we will not fulfill the desires of the flesh.

  • Temptation gains strength when the flesh is in control.

  • Every believer has access to the Holy Spirit. this is not for “elite” Christians.

Galatians 5:16 (NLT) – “Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”

Romans 8:14 (NLT) –“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”

  • You cannot overcome spiritual temptation with fleshly strength.

INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS

What can you do to ensure you’re being led by the spirit and not your flesh?

Point #2

DEVELOP A LIFESTYLE OF PRAYER, FASTING, AND SELF-DENIAL


  • Jesus entered temptation after prayer and fasting, not before.
  • Prayer keeps us spiritually alert so we do not enter temptation unprepared.
  • Prayer doesn’t just change situations, it changes appetites.
  • The more time we spend with God, the less appealing sin becomes.
  • Fasting trains us to say “no” to the flesh so we can say “yes” to God.
  • Self-denial strengthens obedience.

Matthew 26:41 (NLT) – “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.”

Psalm 37:4 (NLT) – “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.”

  • What you feed will grow, and what you starve will weaken.
  • If temptation is winning, it may be time to strengthen your prayer life and practice spiritual discipline. 

INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS

What are ways you can feed your spirit? What are ways you can starve your flesh?

Point #3

OVERCOME TEMPTATION WITH THE
WORD OF GOD AND FAITH


  • Jesus responded to every temptation with “It is written.”
  • God’s Word is called the Sword of the Spirit, a weapon meant to be used.

Psalm 119:11 (NLT) – “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

  • Scripture hidden in the heart becomes strength in the moment of temptation.
  • Thinking like Christ leads to living like Christ.
  • Not every thought comes from God and not every thought must be accepted.
  • Speaking God’s Word out loud resists the enemy’s lies.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT) – “God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.”

  • With every temptation, God provides a way of escape.
  • Victory over temptation begins in the mind but is won with truth.
  • When temptation comes, ask: What does God’s Word say and am I willing to speak it?

INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS

What is one practical step you can take this week to overcome temptation more effectively?

CLOSING QUESTION

What’s one thing you learned from today’s lesson?

GIVING

Sharing freely and giving generously results in a legacy of good
deeds that will make a lasting impact and echo through eternity.

2 Corinthians 9:9 (NLT)

As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”

Encourage everyone to give their tithes and offerings.

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PRAY

QUESTION #1

Who are you praying for to be saved?

QUESTION #2

Who can you invite to the next meeting?

QUESTION #3

What are your prayer requests?