Life Group Resources: Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Opening Prayer (5 minutes)
Begin by praying the Lord's Prayer together, pausing especially at the line: "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

Icebreaker (10 minutes)
Question: Share a childhood memory of learning something important about right and wrong. What made that lesson stick with you?

Key Takeaways from the Sermon
God doesn't lead us into temptation – We need to understand this phrase as "Lead us, [pause] not into temptation." God guides us away from temptation, not toward it.
We all wrestle with temptation – It's part of the human condition. The question isn't whether we'll be tempted, but how we'll respond.
Evil is real and present – Whether we see it as a spiritual force or the dark side of human nature, evil exists wherever human dignity is denied or destroyed.
We need God's help – We cannot resist temptation and fight evil on our own. We need God to deliver us.
Align with Jesus – The best defense against temptation is to intentionally ask: "What would Jesus do/say in this situation?"

Discussion Questions (30-40 minutes)
Understanding Temptation

1. The Internal Wrestling Match
The pastor shared Paul's words from Romans 7 about doing what we don't want to do and not doing what we want to do. When have you experienced this kind of internal struggle?
What does that "internal wrestling" feel like for you?

2. Personal Vulnerabilities
The sermon asked: "What tempts me? What temptations am I most vulnerable to?"
In a safe, non-judgmental space, what are some common temptations people face today? (You don't have to share personal struggles if uncomfortable)
How do our individual vulnerabilities differ from one another?

3. The Rationalization Game
The pastor mentioned how we rationalize our choices, convincing ourselves "it'll just be this once."
Why do you think we're so good at talking ourselves into things we know we shouldn't do?
What are some red flags that indicate we're rationalizing rather than reasoning?


4. Staying Out vs. Getting Out
Discuss the phrase: "It's easier to stay out of trouble than it is to get out of trouble."
Can you share an example (without naming names) where you've seen this proven true?
How can we apply this wisdom proactively in our lives?

5. When in Doubt, Don't
How practical is the advice "when in doubt, don't" in real life?
Are there times when this doesn't seem to apply? How do we discern the difference?

6. Evil in Our World
The sermon listed many ways evil shows itself: abuse of power, injustice, dehumanizing rhetoric, systems that crush the vulnerable, etc.
Where do you see evil at work in our world today?
How do we balance acknowledging evil without becoming overwhelmed or cynical?

7. Evil Disguised
Rev. Dr. William Carl said evil lurks "not just in dark alleys, but in the most attractive and alluring places, sometimes among the most clever, persuasive, and powerful people."
Why is evil sometimes hard to recognize?
How can we develop better discernment?

8. The WWJD Moment
The pastor encouraged us to have "What Would Jesus Do" moments.
How can we practically implement this in our daily decisions?
What resources or practices help you stay aligned with Jesus' teachings?

9. Tuning to God's Frequency
The sermon used the metaphor of tuning a radio to God's frequency to avoid the "static" of temptation.
What spiritual practices help you "tune in" to God's voice?
What creates "static" that makes it harder to hear God?

10. God is Already at Work
The sermon concluded by saying God is already resisting evil through "acts of courage, communities of care, and people who refuse to give up on love and justice."
Where have you seen God at work resisting evil?
How is God calling you/us to join that work?

Personal Reflection (10 minutes)
Take a few minutes of silence for personal reflection. Consider journaling responses to these questions:

What is one specific temptation I need God's help resisting right now?
Where do I see evil that I feel called to stand against?
What is one practical step I can take this week to better align myself with Jesus' ways?

Practical Applications
Choose one or more of these to commit to this week:

Individual Practices
Daily Prayer: Pray "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" each morning, specifically naming your vulnerabilities.
Scripture Meditation: Read Romans 7:15-25 daily and journal about your own internal struggles.
The Pause Practice: When facing a decision you're wrestling with, pause and ask, "What would Jesus do?" before acting.
Accountability Check: Identify your "red flag" temptations and share them with a trusted friend who can check in with you.

Group Practices
Prayer Partners: Pair up and commit to praying for each other's specific struggles with temptation this week.
Evil Resistance: As a group, identify one form of evil in your community and discuss one concrete action you could take together to resist it.
Frequency Tuning: Share what helps you "tune in" to God's frequency. Create a shared list of spiritual practices the group can try.

Community Engagement
Be a Beacon: Identify one place this week where you can be "a beacon of hope" or "an instrument of peace."
Speak Truth: Commit to speaking truth (in love) when you encounter dehumanizing rhetoric or lies, even when it's uncomfortable.
Support the Vulnerable: Find one way to support someone who is being crushed by unjust systems.

Closing Activity (10 minutes)
Breath Prayer Exercise: Create a personal breath prayer based on today's theme. Format:

Inhale: [Name for God]
Exhale: [What you need]
Examples:

Inhale: "Lead me, God" / Exhale: "Away from temptation"
Inhale: "Deliver us" / Exhale: "From evil"
Inhale: "Jesus, guide me" / Exhale: "In your ways"
Share your breath prayers with the group, then practice them together for 2-3 minutes.

Closing Prayer

Pray together:

God, lead us, not into temptation, but in your holy ways. You know every word we speak, every thought we think, every deed we do. Look deep into our hearts and souls. Point out our sins, wrongdoings, and the thoughts and actions we need to change. Show us how to live as you want us to live. Lord, help us resist temptation and empower us to fight against evil. Lead us in your way, will, and word. Amen.