Your Kingdom Come—The Gospel of Matthew

The Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4)

Paul McIlwraith

January 15, 2023

With a friend, your family or in your small group, discuss the following questions:

1. How do you feel about going backwards? Have you ever had to take a few steps back in a project or a relationship in order to then move forward? Describe the circumstance and the things your learned, with your group.
2. Discuss the significance of Jesus’ baptism. How did God anoint him for his ministry on earth through his baptism? How was it a “denouement” moment?
3. Instead of Jesus leaving his baptism and stepping right into his ministry of teaching and healing, he first had to be led into the wilderness to confront the devil. Why was it so important for Jesus to be tempted by Satan before he began his public ministry?
4. What does it mean that Satan is not a “side bar” to the biblical story but he is smack dab in the middle of it?
5. In what ways can we become too focused on the work of the devil in our world and not as focused on the power of Jesus in us? How does that hinder our faith journey?
6. What are the areas of your life that you are “hungry”, vulnerable to the ploys of the evil one? Give some examples of how you have experienced Jesus giving you victory in those areas.
7. Do you find yourself at times, living for the applause of others? In what ways can that lead to unhealthy patterns in your life? Do you have people around you that help you keep grounded and focused on Jesus? Share some examples with your group.

Prayer and Action Item

Pray for one another out of the key points that were discussed. As you anticipate the beginning of this new year and all that God can do in your life, are there places where you need to go back? Do you need to surrender to God some things that may be standing in your way of being all that He intends you to be? Pray about those things this week and release them to Jesus.