Main Scripture Reference - Luke 4:1-13

Other Scripture References: John 10:10; I Corinthians 10:12; Matthew 24:43; Psalm 119:105; Ephesians 3:20; I Corinthians 5:17

INTRO–‘We Are in a War!’Read Luke 4:1-13 & John 10:10

One thing you should know about the spiritual battle is that it will last your whole life here on earth. And if you ever think that you are in the clear and quit focusing on this battle for your life and soul you will fall. Because temptation is so persistent and sin so pervasive, you must take aggressive measures to conquer them. You should have the same attitude as if you contracted cancer. You would do everything to rid yourself of it and not let any of it continue to live in your body.

• What actions do you take to keep yourself safe from being a victim of crime or from catching a contagious disease? How can you transfer that kind of action to your spiritual life?

ATTACK #1 –‘Maintain Alertness’Read I Corinthians 10:12 & Matthew 24:43

The first thing we learn about Jesus’ battle with Satan is that Jesus was never caught off guard but fully alert for Satan’s temptations. You too must maintain a state of mental and spiritual alertness if you are ever going to maintain victory over the temptations that come your way. If you knew an attack of some kind was coming you would prepare yourself. And in your day to day life you need to become more focused on Jesus as well as alert to the potential sins that could bring you down.

• How alert do you think you are regarding temptation and the enemy’s desire to destroy you? What tends to lull you into thinking that you are secure from the evil around you?


• At what times in your life were you really focused on your relationship with God? What caused those times to be more powerful than normal?

ATTACK #2–‘Immerse in Prayer & the Word’Read Psalm 119:105 & Ephesians 3:20

The second thing you learn from Jesus’ battle with Satan is that he was immersed not only in prayer but in the Word as well. In responding to Satan, Jesus never used “good thoughts’ or ‘wise sayings.’ Jesus used the Word of God to battle against the temptations being thrown at him. Not only does immersing in the Word help you understand God’s perspective, it also exposes the baits and lures that Satan uses to tempt you to sin. When you are immersed in the Word and in prayer you are also more aware of Jesus who promises to help you through any and all temptation and make you more and more like himself each day.

• Has knowing Scripture ever helped you fight off a temptation or shown you specific lures that Satan is trying to use to bring you down? Explain.


• Name some ways the world tries to convince you that instant gratification will bring you happiness. Describe a time instant gratification really did you harm.

ATTACK #3–‘Embrace Your New Identity’Read I Corinthians 5:17

Finally in order to be successful against sin you must fully embrace your new identity. Once you meet Christ you are a new creation, redefined as a child and heir of Christ. Your past no longer has control over you nor does your family background. You might often have found yourself trapped in the defined role of what your family made you to become. But as a Jesus follower you now can be free from those things and walk new in God’s power and life.

• How has your family background defined you as a person? Has this affected or influenced how you have lived your adult life? Explain.


• How is Jesus redefining you as a child and heir of God instead of your past?


• How can this cell group help redefine who you really are in Jesus’ eyes? How can they help keep you from rationalizing temptation and sin and move you toward the person God wants you to be?