First Sunday of Lent: The Temptation of Jesus - Luke 4:1-13

Lent

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Lent. Lent is a season of repentance and reflection, Christians are invited to put to death worldly attachments in order to draw closer to God. This week, we enter into Jesus’ wilderness experience in Luke 4. While his desires and physical needs were important, his love and commitment to God was greater still.

Respond:

• What if the deeper threat of temptation isn’t being tempted toward a certain act but the gradual progression of being tempted away from our truest identity - as someone deeply loved by, and belonging to God?

  • Have you thought of testing/temptation in this way?

• Jesus’ responds to the lies of the devil with Scripture. The devil often twists and undermines truth, what often sounds truthful but turn out to be lies?

  • How has time invested in God’s Word helped you unveil lies from all sources?

  • Can you speak to the evil in our mind and hearts? Can you speak to the tempter?

• Richard Rohr says “They are sequentially the misuse of practical everyday power, the misuse of religious power, and the misuse of political power. These are the constant tragedies that keep defeating humanity.”

  • In this season of Lent, consider how the devil appeals to your appetites and giving up those things that we cling to in order to draw closer to God.