Starter: [In pairs ]
Recall an incident when you chose to get out of an everyday hardship in your life.

Worship:

Reading: Luke 4. 1-13
Read aloud, then allow time for everyone to re-read it for themselves along with the commentary and the questions – and reflect alone.

Commentary:
The temptation of Jesus in the desert, as told by Luke, was not the first time Jesus was tempted, nor the last. Luke uses three temptations in a powerful way to depict the frequent experiences of Jesus (and perhaps ourselves). He struggled with the difficult possibilities open to him in carrying out his mission right up to his agony in the garden. As a human being he was always free to choose his path, but Jesus was also always conscious of his loyalty to and relationship with God. Here we see that nothing will deter Jesus from establishing the kingdom of God . His deepest trust is to follow God's plan and to fulfil his mission. No other plan matters. Jesus rejects Satan and places his trust in the guidance of God, no matter where that may lead him.

Personal Focus Questions:

1. Which verse speaks to you?
   What is God saying to you?
2. Which temptation of Jesus do you most readily relate to?
3. In what ways does the Bible help you cope with temptation [vv 4,8,10]?
4. In what ways is establishing the kingdom of God a driving force in your life?

Share together in threes the results of your individual reflection. Return together as a group and share any insights.

Now together discuss these questions.

Life Focus Questions:

1. What are the temptations besetting your church as a community?
2. How could you deal with them more effectively?

Prayer Time:
Pray the Lord’s Prayer slowly and thoughtfully. Pray for strength not to be distracted from God’s kingdom purposes. Pray for a right use of power and a fair distribution of wealth in God’s world. Pray for a sense of openness to spiritual truths and not just material things.