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A DRAGON MOST OF US KNOW

StevenJBarker

A DRAGON MOST OF US KNOW

Dragons & Dandelions - Part 6 | May 5, 2024

Gabe Kolstad | @gabekolstad

The Temptation of Jesus

Matthew 4:1-11

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, 6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”

7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’
11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

Our Dilemma:

Right WANT, Wrong WAY

The Big 3

1. PLEASURE 

2. POWER 

3. POSSESSIONS

5 Questions for Detecting Deceit

       1. What’s a temptation I’m experiencing?

       2. What God-given desire is this temptation targeting?

       3. What “shortcut" is offering me fulfillment?

       4. How does God’s Word teach me to fulfill this desire?

       5. What action can I take to obey God in this situation?

For Discussion at Home or Group:

  • Share any wins you’ve had as you’ve been learning to fight your battles in faith through this series.

  • Jesus called Satan “the father of lies” (John 8:44). Can you remember a time (maybe as a kid?) when you got “tricked” into doing something wrong, only later to regret it?

  • Practice the 5 questions (from above) by inventing a fictitious character who is struggling with a temptation. As a family or group, talk through how that person could respond. Then determine to use the 5 questions in your own life this week.

  • Take a few minutes to thank God for the “Dragons & Dandelions” journey in your own life, and pray together.

My Next Step Is:

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For Resources to Grow in Your Faith:

Text JESUS to 503-905-9067

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