The Gospel Project® for Adults

POINT 2 THE SON OF GOD TRUSTS IN THE FATHER'S PROVIDENCE (MATT. 4:5-7).

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city,
had him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to him,
"If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written:
He will give his angels orders concerning you,
and they will support you with their hands
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone."
7 Jesus told him, "It is also written:
Do not test the Lord your God."

Read:

Ask a volunteer to read aloud Matthew 4:5-7 from his or her own Bible.

Explain:

Verses 5-6 (the bold words fill in blanks in the DDG):

Satan tempted Jesus to demonstrate His power,
departing from His mission; but He resisted, trusting God's providence.

Discuss:

• How does succumbing to temptation lead us astray
  from God's mission for our lives?
• (it keeps us from the fullness of joy God has to offer;
• it leads us to dire consequences as a result of sin;
• it sours our witness to others who are searching for Christ;
• when we're led astray, we can lead others astray)

Explain:

Verse 7 (the bold words fill in blanks in the DDG):

Jesus quoted Scripture to reject Satan's temptation
of an inappropriate use of power.

Discuss:

• Why did Jesus use Scripture to counter Satan's attacks?
• (Scripture records truth;
• Scripture is the foundation for understanding God's will and ways;
• Jesus did not have to make up a response in the moment
  because He knew God's truth;
• the work of God in the world is consistent,
  so these patterns of response that should have happened
  in Israel's story were still applicable in Jesus's day and in ours;
• this serves as a model for Christians for how they should respond
  to temptation)

Transition:

The second temptation was more vague than the first, but it hit on a temptation that we all experience as well--
the thirst for and misuse of power. The third temptation
also feels familiar--preempting God's plan with one of our own.

ANGELS

Angels are "messengers" of God, as is communicated
by the Greek word used to refer to them.
They are supernatural beings created by God.
In both the Old and New Testaments, they brought a word from God
or ministered to His people.