Are temptations or addictions threatening your marriage?
Watch the video clip
The topics of temptation and addiction can be awkward and difficult to discuss. This week, recommend that you break into separate groups, men in one group and women in another. Same-sex groups encourage honest discussion and create a more comfortable
atmosphere for different conversation.
Question 1
Just as Caleb has made a decision to follow God and restore his marriage, he is confronted with temptation. Have you found this pattern to be true in your life? Does temptation sometimes appear unexpectedly? Explain and give examples.
Question 2
In this scene, Caleb walks away from the computer and picks up The Love Dare book. How the lesson in the book does encourage him to resist temptation? What specifically was helpful?
Discussion
Read 1 Peter 5:8-9
8Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Question 3
What do these verses say about the likelihood that we will face temptation?
Question 4
According to this Scripture, how should we protect ourselves from temptation and sin?
Read Matthew 5:27-30
27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Question 5
What does Jesus say about our actions, our thoughts and the heart? How does this passage apply to the example in this week’s video clip – Caleb being tempted by pornography?
Read 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
18Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Read 2 Timothy 2:22
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Question 6
We’ve already discussed the importance of removing the source of temptation from our lives. These passages suggest another method of dealing with temptation; what is it? Give some practical examples of “fleeing” from immorality.
Question 7
Under what conditions would it be more effective to remove the temptation? When would it be better to remove yourself?
Read Psalm 119:9-11
9How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. 10I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Question 8
How does studying the Bible fit into a strategy for resisting sin?
Read Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Question 9
Why is Jesus able to understand the temptations that face us? Does this comfort you in your struggle? Why or why not? What example does Jesus provide for us?
Read 1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Question 10
What promise does God make in regard to temptation in this verse? How can you use this promise to help when you are tempted?
Read 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Question 11
When we “confess”, we agree with God regarding our thoughts and behavior. What does God promise in return when we confess our sin?
Read James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Question 12
When we draw together as Christ’s church, we receive strength and encouragement from each other. What does this passage also teach us the effect of confessing to each other? How does this help us resist temptation and turn away from sin?
Close in prayer.
Watch the video clip
The topics of temptation and addiction can be awkward and difficult to discuss. This week, recommend that you break into separate groups, men in one group and women in another. Same-sex groups encourage honest discussion and create a more comfortable
atmosphere for different conversation.
Question 1
Just as Caleb has made a decision to follow God and restore his marriage, he is confronted with temptation. Have you found this pattern to be true in your life? Does temptation sometimes appear unexpectedly? Explain and give examples.
Question 2
In this scene, Caleb walks away from the computer and picks up The Love Dare book. How the lesson in the book does encourage him to resist temptation? What specifically was helpful?
Discussion
Read 1 Peter 5:8-9
8Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
Question 3
What do these verses say about the likelihood that we will face temptation?
Question 4
According to this Scripture, how should we protect ourselves from temptation and sin?
Read Matthew 5:27-30
27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
Question 5
What does Jesus say about our actions, our thoughts and the heart? How does this passage apply to the example in this week’s video clip – Caleb being tempted by pornography?
Read 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
18Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Read 2 Timothy 2:22
Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Question 6
We’ve already discussed the importance of removing the source of temptation from our lives. These passages suggest another method of dealing with temptation; what is it? Give some practical examples of “fleeing” from immorality.
Question 7
Under what conditions would it be more effective to remove the temptation? When would it be better to remove yourself?
Read Psalm 119:9-11
9How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. 10I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Question 8
How does studying the Bible fit into a strategy for resisting sin?
Read Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Question 9
Why is Jesus able to understand the temptations that face us? Does this comfort you in your struggle? Why or why not? What example does Jesus provide for us?
Read 1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Question 10
What promise does God make in regard to temptation in this verse? How can you use this promise to help when you are tempted?
Read 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Question 11
When we “confess”, we agree with God regarding our thoughts and behavior. What does God promise in return when we confess our sin?
Read James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Question 12
When we draw together as Christ’s church, we receive strength and encouragement from each other. What does this passage also teach us the effect of confessing to each other? How does this help us resist temptation and turn away from sin?
Close in prayer.