Read Luke 4: 1-13

Right before this section, Luke tells the story of Jesus' baptism and then lays out his
genealogy, as if announcing a King's lineage. Then the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the
wilderness. This scene alludes to Exodus, recalling the Israelite’s history of
wandering in the desert for 40 years. Luke doesn’t share with us what happens
during those forty days; instead, he focuses the narrative on the devil's last three
temptations. Luke’s reference of Jesus eating nothing would have communicated
that Jesus had bee n fasting and praying in the wilderness.

• What was Jesus doing in the desert for 40 days? Does this make sense to
  our modern experience?
• Why do you think the Devil tempt Jesus with food, the opportunity to have
  power on earth, and for the angels to protect him?
• Jesus responds to the Devil by quoting from the Old Testament. Why do
  you think he did this? How can we follow Jesus’ example in answering
  temptations with scripture and follow the father’s will? hard to believe that
  your multiethnicity is a gift and not a mistake? 

Go and do

Some of us may have a bad taste in our mouths from reciting Bible verses in Sunday
school; however, scripture memorization is a helpful tool to aid us in keeping God’s
word written on our hearts. Is there an encouraging scripture you could try to
memorize?
 

Consider going into the wilderness with your community! There is something about
withdrawing that helps us to silence the noise so we can hear Christ. Unless we are
constantly listening to him, we will be easily swayed when tempted.

 

Reflect on what you learned

• What are the areas of your life where you struggle to follow God and how
  are you tempted? How can scripture help you to follow God’s commands? Is
  the spiritual discipline of studying scripture life -giving to you? ” Or maybe
  Lectio Divina is a practice you can try?
• Community question: How, as a community, are you engaging in scripture?