Growth Group Homework
For the week of November 6, 2005
QUICK REVIEW
Looking back at this week’s teaching on character and temptation was there anything that surprised you about these topics or particularly caught your attention?
MY STORY
1. This week we saw Joseph’s character go from arrogance to humility. Have you ever had a time in your life or a situation when God particularly got your attention regarding a harmful attitude, action, or perspective and really began to change it? If so, explain.
2. Temptation offers us deceptive shortcuts to fulfillment. Below is a short list of temptations we regularly encounter. Take a moment and see if there are any others you would add. Now, next to each temptation write a potential reason for yielding to it. - Cheating
- Gossip
- Over-spending
- Sexual Purity
- Not working through conflict
- Exaggerating the truth
- Other
What is the ultimate reality of giving into these temptations?
DIGGING DEEPER
1. The centurion in Luke 7:1-10, like Joseph, found himself in a chaotic situation that humbled and moved him toward trusting God. As you read his story, what took place that caused the centurion to humbly trust God? What are some other ways he could have potentially responded?
Luke 7:1-10
When Jesus had finished saying all this in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. [2] There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. [3] The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. [4] When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, [5] because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue." [6] So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. [7] That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. [8] For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
[9] When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." [10] Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well. [NIV]
2. When it comes to resisting temptation, most of us don’t plan on messing up our lives. Unfortunately temptation works subtly at taking us step by step to entice us into sin. King David experienced both this and the adverse effects firsthand. As you read his story in 2 Samuel 11, identify how he failed to put into practice the five steps to protect our character from this week’s sermon.
3. Finding out God has been trying to get our attention or realizing that we are falling into temptation can be quite humbling and frightening to admit. What hope and incentive do the following verses give us when this occurs?
Psalm 138:6
Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly,
but the proud he knows from afar. [NIV]
Proverbs 18:12
Before his downfall a man's heart is proud,
but humility comes before honor. [NIV]
Isaiah 57:15
For this is what the high and lofty One says--
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
"I live in a high and holy place,
but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite. [NIV]
Matthew 18:14
In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. [NIV]
James 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble." [NIV]
4. Wouldn’t it be great if we could just snap our fingers and have temptation disappear? Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. Look over the following verses and identify some additional strategies that help us avoid and overcome temptation.
Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you. [NIV]
Luke 22:40
On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." [NIV]
James 4:7-8
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [NIV]
Hebrews 2:17-18
For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. [18] Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. [NIV]
1 John 1:8-2:2
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
[2:1] My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. [2] He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. [NIV]
TAKING IT HOME
1. When it comes to resisting temptation and sin, what have you learned – maybe even the hard way? What are some early warning signs for you personally?
2. What are some of the temptations you face most often? Do you need to do anything to change the way you respond to those temptations or focus more on one of the five steps listed in this week’s teaching?
3. How can what is said in 1 Peter 1:3-11 help you experience God’s presence and flee temptation?
1 Peter 1:3-11
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, [5] who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. [6] In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. [7] These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. [8] Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, [9] for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
[10] Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, [11] trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. [NIV]
_____________________________________________________________
SERVICE PROJECT OPPORTUNITY -- St Clare's Home serves abused women and children. They have nine different houses across North County that are in constant need of repair. There are many projects of varying degrees from painting to small and large handyman jobs; craft projects with the children gardening and pest control. Visit us on the web for more info www.northcoastchurch.com/service
|
We podcast our messages. Subscribe with your favorite podcast software. More info....
