THE
BATTLE WITHIN (WEEK 1): the main event
|
Bottom Line: In every single
temptation you face, there is always more at risk than you think. Scripture References: Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew
4:1-3 |
Temptation—everyone’s
favorite topic. But don’t panic yet! You’re goal this week is just to introduce
the topic in such a way that students can feel comfortable acknowledging the
reality of temptation in their own lives. WARNINGS: Temptation is a tricky
small group topic. The purpose of this series is not to get your students to
confess personal struggles to the group, but to help students begin to think
openly about the dynamic of temptation and the significance that it has on
their faith. Most of the “specifics” in this series are deliberately handled in
a self-reflective manner rather than asking students to share out loud because
we believe that conversations about specific struggles are best when student
initiated or when done in one-on-one settings. As your students work through
this topic, it may be a perfect time for you to schedule some of those
one-on-one conversations you’ve been meaning to have.
HIGH SCHOOL QUESTIONS
1. What did you think of the talk this week? What did you hear the speaker say?
2.
What is your absolute favorite food? Pretend someone put that food in
front of you and told you not to eat it for thirty minutes. How would you
rationalize not waiting to eat it?
3.
What are other ways that people tend to rationalize doing things they
know they shouldn’t do?
4.
When you are rationalizing, do you stop to think about everything that is at stake or do you
tend to focus on the most immediate consequences?
5.
Have you ever seen someone give into temptation, and it affected not
only his or her life, but the lives of those around him or her? (Without giving
names, what are some examples of how this can happen?)
6.
Who might be affected if you give in to temptation?
7.
How does thinking about the effects on these people change the way you
think about some of the temptations in your life?
8.
If I said that temptation and trust are linked, would you agree? How
are they related?
9.
If trust and temptation are linked, how is your faith in God connected
to your ability to resist temptation?
10.
How would knowing all that is at risk when it comes to our response to
temptation change the way you deal with it?
MIDDLE SCHOOL QUESTIONS
1.
What is was your absolute favorite food growing up? Pretend someone put
that food in front of you and told you not to eat it for thirty minutes. How
could you talk yourself into thinking it would be okay to eat it before the
time was up?
2.
What are other ways that people tend to talk themselves into doing
things they know they shouldn’t do?
3.
What normally goes through your head when you are being tempted?
4.
What are some common temptations for students at your school?
5.
Can you think of some long-term consequences for someone who gives into
those temptations?
6.
How could giving into some of those temptations end up hurting not only
the person who gives in, but other people in that person’s life as well?
7.
If I said that temptation and trust are linked, would you agree? How
are they related?
8.
How can a person resist temptation when it happens? (ex: Stop. Think it
through. Pray. Remember what God says. Ask a trusted adult or Christian who you
trust.)
9.
What is something you learned today?
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