Sermon Discussion Group Guide

Sermon: Beyond What You Can Bear–Temptations, Trials, & Lessons from the Past
Date: April 6, 2025

“It’s more about strategy than strength”

Prayerfully read the following passages leading up to your group time, and be prepared to discuss what the Holy Spirit reveals to you in them

Temptations we face are not new or unique but common to all mankind
We shouldn’t be dismissive of people in the past. Just because we are more modern doesn’t mean that we are any smarter or immune to temptation than they are.
Our culture should not be used as an excuse to justify sinful behavior
Humility and self-awareness are crucial in fighting temptation
God always provides a way of escape from temptation, but we must actively seek it
Overcoming temptation often requires changing our environment or strategy rather than relying on willpower alone
Fighting temptation is more about strategy and humility than brute force.

Below are some discussion questions to help your group dig into the material from Sunday’s sermon and apply it.

You can click on the blue box below each question to the right for an area to write notes or answers

Have you ever been frustrated by someone telling you that “God will never give you more than you can handle?”
How do we balance recognizing the seriousness of temptation with the confidence that we can overcome it through God’s help?
In what ways might we be using our culture or circumstances as excuses to justify sinful behavior, similar to the Corinthians?
How can we apply the concept of ‘guerrilla warfare’ to our spiritual battles against temptation?
What are some creative ‘ways of escape’ you’ve found or could implement to avoid falling into persistent temptations? If there are any strategies that you have found that have worked for you, please share them!
How does understanding our shared spiritual heritage with biblical figures impact our approach to facing modern temptations?
In what areas of your life might you be ‘looking harder for temptation than for the way out’?
How can we cultivate humility and self-awareness as tools for combating temptation?
What does it mean practically to ‘draw near to the throne of grace with confidence’ when struggling with sin
How might viewing Jesus as someone who truly understands our temptations change our approach to seeking His help?
In what ways can we support and encourage one another in the church to find ‘ways of escape’ from temptation?