Jesus' Temptations (Discussion Questions)

Categories: Gospel of Luke, Holy Land Tours (Games/Stories)

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Read Luke 4:1-13

What big event in Jesus' life took place before going into the wilderness? [Being baptized by John]
What did God say to Jesus after he was baptized? [This is my beloved son in whom I am well-pleased!]
Why do you think Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days? [To pray about his career? To pray and listen to God's direction for how to teach, preach, and heal? To get self out of the way and make sure he was ready to follow his Father's plan for him? These are all possibilities, and there are many more to add.]
What did Jesus do for those 40 days in the wilderness? [prayed and fasted (he didn't eat food)]
When the 40-day fast was up why do you think Satan temped him?
Are we ever tempted to do something wrong?
How does that temptation come? Is someone telling you to do something or are you just thinking about the possibilities?
How did Satan try to get Jesus off target? [with a taunt – if thou be the Son of God – maybe Jesus would think, of course, I'm the Son of God and I'll show you… Or does Jesus know his relationship to God so completely that tauntings aren't going to get his attention?]
So if the taunting doesn't work, what does Satan ask him to do? [Make the stones bread.]
Afterall, Jesus is hungry; it doesn't seem like an unusual request. So, why didn't Jesus make the stones bread? [He wasn't going to play games with God – his true source of supply – He didn't have to prove anything to Satan; instead, he showed his unflinching loyalty to God.]
What did Jesus say to Satan? [He quoted scripture when he said, "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. ]
How does Satan respond to that? [He quotes scripture and tells Jesus to jump off the top of the temple, because God's angels will keep him safe. He is quoting the 91st Psalm.]
Does Jesus jump? [Of course not, and Satan can't push him either. It's just a thought suggesting you do something, but it can't make you do it.]
What does Jesus say this time? [It is written again that I shouldn't tempt God!]
Why doesn't Satan just leave him alone? [He's not finished – he tempts him first with the basic human need for food and then for safety, and finally for power. Because if he is the Son of God – he would be the Messiah and all the kingdoms of the world would bow down to him, not Jesus bowing down to Satan. But that isn't the kind of kingdom Jesus is preaching about.]
So what wonderful thing does Jesus say that is so helpful to all of us? [Satan – get out of here – I'm going to worship one God and you're not it.]
Why is it important to know how Jesus deals with Satan (temptation)?
How do you deal with temptation?
What happened after he told Satan to disappear?
Do angels minister unto you?