Series Name: Kingdom Come
Message Title: Lead Us Not Into Temptation
Short Summary: We all face temptation, and we often overestimate our ability to resist it on our own. Jesus teaches us to pray for God's deliverance from evil, not because we're powerless, but because relying on God's strength rather than our willpower is the path to true victory. This message explores how staying alert, setting boundaries, and depending on God and His family can protect us from the enemy's schemes and lead us into the abundant life God intends.
Icebreaker Question
If you could have a personal "early warning system" that alerted you before you were about to make a bad decision, what area of your life would you want it to monitor most? (Examples: what you eat, what you say, what you buy, what you watch, etc.)
Review of the Previous Week's "I Will" Statement
Last week's commitment was: "I will pray The Lord's Prayer every day this week."
- On a scale of 1-10, how consistent were you with praying the Lord's Prayer daily this past week? What helped you remember, or what got in the way?
- What was one thing you learned about prayer, or about God, through the practice of praying this prayer repeatedly over the past week?
Discussion Questions
Question 1: Reflecting on the Message
The message emphasized that Jesus teaches us to pray "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (Matthew 6:13). What stood out to you most from this weekend's message, and why?
Context: This prayer isn't asking God not to tempt us (He never does), but rather asking Him to lead us through temptation and deliver us from the evil one. It's a prayer of dependence and humility.
Life Application: As you reflect on what resonated with you, consider what God might be highlighting in your own life right now. Is there an area where you need to shift from self-reliance to God-reliance?
Question 2: Recognizing Our Vulnerability
The message shared that 65% of Americans believe they're more intelligent than average, but only 2% actually are—illustrating how we overestimate our abilities. When have you overestimated your ability to resist temptation? What happened, and what did you learn?
Context: We often think we're strong enough to handle temptation on our own, but Scripture warns us to "be alert" because our enemy "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
Life Application: Vulnerability is the first step toward victory. Sharing our struggles honestly helps us move from pride to humility, where God's power can work most effectively. What would it look like for you to be more honest about your vulnerabilities?
Question 3: Identifying Your Unique Lure
The message explained that Satan uses different "lures" for different people—and sometimes those lures are good things (like work, fitness, or family activities) that slowly push God out of first place. What "lure" are you most vulnerable to right now? How has it been affecting your relationship with God?
Context: James 1:14 says, "Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire." Sin isn't always loving bad things; sometimes it's loving good things in the wrong order.
Life Application: Identifying your specific vulnerability is crucial. Once you name it, you can create boundaries and invite others to help you stay accountable. What's one practical boundary you could set this week to protect yourself from your particular lure?
Question 4: Moving from Willpower to God-Power
The message stated, "Willpower will only work for a while, but after a while, willpower is going to burn out." Describe a time when you tried to overcome something through willpower alone. What was the result, and how might relying on God and His family have made a difference?
Context: Jesus said, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41). We need more than good intentions—we need God's power and the support of community.
Life Application: Where are you currently "white-knuckling it" instead of crying out to God for help? What would it look like to bring that struggle into the light with this group or another trusted believer this week?
Question 5: The Power of Community
The message shared Sean's story of deliverance from addiction and prison through crying out to God and relying on his church family. Who in your life has helped you resist temptation or overcome a struggle? How did their support make a difference?
Context: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us, "Two are better than one... If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."
Life Application: We weren't meant to fight our battles alone. If you're currently facing a struggle in isolation, who is one person you could reach out to this week for prayer and support? If you've experienced victory through community, how can you offer that same support to someone else?
This Week's "I Will" Statement
I will pray the Lord's Prayer daily this week. Remember, if you missed a day, that's okay. God isn't keeping score; He's simply inviting you into daily conversation with Him. The real win is that prayer is becoming more natural, more central to how you navigate life. And if you need help maintaining this rhythm, check out the in the Pathway app. It's a great resource to guide your prayer time each day. You can even have it delivered to your email inbox. The goal is to discover that daily time with God changes everything. Keep going!
Prayer Prompts
Prompt 1: Leader asks: "Before we pray, does anyone have a specific prayer request they'd like to share with the group?"
Prompt 2: "Let's pray for each other regarding the specific temptations and lures we've identified tonight. Pray that God would give us alertness, humility, and the courage to set healthy boundaries."
Prompt 3: "Let's pray for Sean and others in our church family who are walking through recovery and rebuilding their lives. Pray also for Annabelle, who is having surgery on February 3rd. And let's pray for our church's 10-year vision, that we would not be distracted or lured away from what God has called us to do."
Rewatch the Message
Remember: The goal of this discussion is discovery, not just information. Create space for silence, listen well, and allow the Holy Spirit to work. Vulnerability breeds vulnerability; when leaders share authentically, others feel safe to do the same.