CONNECT: As we think about encountering Jesus, what opportunities do your friends have this year to encounter Jesus through your words, invitation, or your actions?

WARM-UP

1. What do you think most Australians would think about the devil? How about evil more generally?
2. Is evil real? Why is it equally in error to either: disbelieve in evil or be excessively interested in evil?

Read Luke 4:1-2

1. Where did the Holy Spirit actively lead Jesus? What would it have been like? Why was this necessary?
2. How is it evident that there werenʼt just a few temptations but that Jesus was constantly bombarded over this entire 40-day period? What do you think this would have been like?
3. What is meant by Jesus being tempted? Have you ever had a time of particular testing/temptation?
4. What is the parallel between Jesusʼ 40 days in the wilderness and Israelʼs 40 years of wandering?
5. How would Jesus faithfully fulfil what Israel had failed to do?
6. How is Jesusʼ humanness evident in these verses? Why is this of great encouragement to us?

Read Luke 4:3-13

1. Preceding this passage (i.e., 3:21-22), who did the Father just declare Jesus to be? Why does Satan repetitively seek to undermine this truth? What is the enemyʼs goal?
2. How would you describe the three tactics used by the enemy? Are any a challenge for you?
3. Do you think the enemy ever uses similar tactics to tempt us away from Godʼs plan and will?
4. Under what conditions are you most susceptible to succumb to temptation?
5. How does Jesus confront each of the three temptations? How is this a model for us?
6. What resources has God given us to resist temptation? What does he provide when we fall short?
7. What have you found most helpful in resisting temptation? What do you find most challenging?
8. Why does verse 13 mean? When would be the most opportune time?
9. How is Jesusʼ death and resurrection the ultimate triumph over the schemes of the evil one?

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On Your Frontline This Week: In February, where do you see Jesus’ priorities on your calendar?

Listen, Watch, and Read:          

• AUDIO: “Luke 4:1-13” by Tim Keller (Paid)
• AUDIO: “Power of Satan” by Dick Lucas
• AUDIO: “Test trials passed” on Luke 4:1-13 by William Taylor
• BOOK: “Did the Devil make me do it?” by Mike McKinley
• BOOK: “666 and All That Stuff” by John Dickson
• VIDEO: “The Satan and Demons” by the Bible Project
  

SERIES Resources:

• Series overview booklet
• Scripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9CO
• Book: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful): https://bit.ly/341gAdI
• Book: Luke for Everyone by Tom Wright: https://bit.ly/3Iexkgh
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