An Introduction
Self-control seems rather self-explanatory, and not at all like something reserved for Christianity. Yet, why are people self controlled? (You may think Americans aren’t – they do whatever they like whenever they want.) What causes self-control? This passage looks at Jesus practicing self-control.
Read Matthew 4:1-11
Notes
References: v4 – Deuteronomy 8:3, v6 – Psalm 91:11-12, v7 – Deuteronomy 6:16, v10 – Deuteronomy 6:13
Exploring the Passage
1) Jesus has just gone 40 days without food “so that the devil could test him” – and the devil does! How hungry do you think Jesus felt? Why would the devil’s first temptation be so tempting?
2) The devil’s first two temptations begin with “If you are the Son of God...” What is the temptation in that? How does Jesus respond?
Charting the Course
1) Each time Jesus responds to temptation, he says a line of scripture. What might that say about exercising self-control?
2) In this passage, Jesus uses self-control to combat temptation. Do you think self-control is just a response to a negative action, or can it be something positive for others?
3) What do you think makes self-control something that comes from the Spirit of God?
