BASICS
Basics
Session 6
Overcoming Temptation - Developing a Game Plan
Participant Guide
Table of Contents
Objective ......................................................................................... 3
Quote from a former NFL Star…..................................................... 4
The Problem..................................................................................... 6
The Hope ......................................................................................... 7
Video – Flee Temptation ................................................................ 8
The Plan ........................................................................................... 9
Developing A Game Plan .............................................................. 9
Religion vs. Relationship................................................................ 12
Application Points ......................................................................... 13
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Objective
Developing and implementing a game plan for dealing with
the temptations of life that pull us away from God and keep us
from attaining holiness.
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Quote from a former NFL Star…
“It was my first year in the League. I was a fairly new
Christian at the time. It seems like I was hit with sexual
temptation daily. I was a high draft pick, had a lot of
money and a lot of people knew it.
I was in Manhattan one night alone. I guess I am never
alone, but I didn’t have anyone around me to keep me in
line. I had just spoken publicly and I was tired and
vulnerable. As I walked to my car, I ended up taking a
route that led me right past a strip club. The temptation
was overwhelming. It was such a battle.
The neon sign was seemingly pulling me in. What was I
going to do? I began to rationalize, justify, think about
excuses and reasons. I thought about what I would do if
someone recognized me in this place. I had this decision
to make.
I turned my head and looked down the street. I saw
another sign. This one was not neon, but I could read it. It
simply read ‘Jesus Saves!’ I looked back at the club and
turned my head again and walked away, to my car,
back to my home.”
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Put yourself in this guy’s situation - what are you thinking about? What are
you feeling?
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The quote talks about an “exit strategy.” What’s your exit strategy if any?
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How do you make the right choice?
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What tempts you and entices you to sin?
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When are you most vulnerable to temptation?
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The Problem
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Read:
James 1:13 - 15
Discussion Question:
1. What do you notice about the progressive nature of temptation and
sin?
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The Hope
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Read:
1 Corinthians 10:12 – 14, Hebrews 2:14 – 18, Hebrews 4:14 – 15
Discussion Questions:
1. What stands out to you about these verses?
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2. What comforts you?
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3. What gives you hope?
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4. What is the basis for your hope?
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Video – Flee Temptation
(www.battlezoneministries.org)
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The Plan
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Developing A Game Plan
“When I first started traveling on business and had my own
hotel room on road trips, I would be tempted to turn on the
television and look at the adult movies.
I thought to myself, “No one will know.” I knew that I had to
develop a game plan to deal with this. I came to realize that I
was strongest when I first got to my room, so I cancelled the
adult titles.
I knew I would never call down to the front desk and have the
hotel turn the adult titles back on. I had made a decision to
avoid the temptation altogether while I was strong (at 4 pm), so
that when I was tired or hungry and more prone to temptation
(at 11 pm) the temptation would be removed and I would be
less likely to fail.”
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Read:
Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 14:37-38
Discussion Question:
1. How did Jesus specifically deal with temptation?
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Read:
1 Peter 5:8 – 9
Discussion Question:
1. What do you observe about Peter’s assessment of Satan and how to
defeat him?
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Activity – The Armor of God:
Read:
ARMOR
Ephesians 6:10 – 18
PURPOSE
WHY IS IT HELPFUL
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Religion vs. Relationship
Temptations are everywhere. Go to any nice restaurant and
after the main meal, the server brings out this enticing array of
desserts designed to please your pallet. Maybe your eyes kept
drifting to the attractive woman sitting at the table next to you
or to that sports car you see through the window that you have
“always dreamed of”. Maybe you are tempted to fire back a
nasty response to your wife after she made a comment to you
that you didn’t like.
There are a million examples…
We are all tempted or enticed every day, often by things that
are destructive to us. Our Lord Jesus was tempted as well and
can sympathize with us.
Don’t forget - being tempted is not wrong in and of itself. How
we respond to temptation determines our level of obedience.
It’s important to ensure we are not just modifying our behavior
(through our own will). The Holy Spirit empowers us to make the
right choice when tempted, but He needs to be in control
before He can empower us.
Addressing temptation and enticement under the power of the
Holy Spirit is key to growing in our faith and in our relationship
with God.
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Application Points
 What is something new that you learned about God today?
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 What is God telling you to do with this new knowledge?
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 How can what you learned today help you in your daily life?
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For next week…
Develop a game plan, a personal strategy for handling your
strongest personal temptation. Be accountable to a trusted
friend for your plan. Living in isolation leads to secrecy, weak
character and sinful actions and attitudes.
Execute your game plan this week.
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