Jan 20: C5 Temptation

Goal: 1. To gain an understanding of how yielding to temptation can weaken a person's Christian life. 2. to gain insight as to how to deal with temptation and bad habits and how to have victory in Christian living.

There is nothing that brings a more painful journey then looking back on a path that has been paved with sin. Create a community that will walk along side you, keeping your eyes on Jesus and the Cross. True joy (which is what our hearts deeply desire) is found only in giving our life to God.

What does the Holy Spirit do for you?

Romans 8:16 testifies we are God's children

Galatians 5:16 keeps us from being fulfilled in sin

John 16:13 speaks truth

TEMPTATION and LUST
James 1:12 -15
1. What is temptation? When evil desires drag us away from God
2. Can a person be tempted by God? NO. ...why would God drag us away from His presence?
3. What can temptation lead to? Sin
4. What is the reward for those who do not give in to temptation? Crown of life

1 Peter 5:8
What is the source behind temptations? Our one and only enemy, the devil

Romans 6:16
choice:
slave to sin = death
slave to obedience = righteousness
What we obey, we are slaves to!

HOW TO BREAK A BAD HABIT
1. Realize it's a bad habit.
2. Confess.
3. Ask for forgiveness (from God and others).
4. Avoid situations.
5. Change your pattern.

JESUS' EXAMPLE

Matthew 4:1 -11
1. Three temptations
a. turn stone to bread
b. throw yourself down
c. bow down and worship the devil

2. Each temptation was handled the same way. What did Jesus do when He was tempted?
He called on God and used scripture

3. What can you learn for your life from the example of Christ?
Don't give in, the angels are waiting to attend to us as we resist temptations!

Jan 13: C6 Indwelling

Goal: 1. To understand the principles of living a day-by-day victorious Christian life. 2. To understand the principles of discovering God's will.

Who needs comfort food when we have a comforting God? The Holy Spirit roams the earth for places to dwell -- keep your soul, body and mind open at all times for Him to reside in you!

FILLING
1. What does god command in Ephesians 5:18?
a. Negatively - debauchery
b. Positively - filled with the Spirit

2. To be filled with the Spirit is a command of God.
a. Why? He doesn't want us to be filled with other less significant, less rewarding, less rejuvenating junk...
b. What does 1 John 5:14 mean? God wants us in His will
c. If you ask God to fill you with His Spirit, do you think he will? Yes!

A CONTRAST
Galatians 5: 19 - 21
sinful immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, selfish ambitions, envy, drunkenness
Galatians 5:22 -23
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control

1. Ephesians 4:30 - do not grieve the Holy Spirit by doing wrong
2. What are acts that grieve the Holy Spirit? Ephesians 4:25 - 32, 5: 3- 7
lying, hypocrisy, staying in anger, stealing, not working or helping others, gossip, hoarding, bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, malice

STEPS TO A SPIRIT-CONTROLLED LIFE
1. CONFESS.
2. ACCEPT.
3. ASK.

GOD'S WILL
1. What should we desire? Ephesians 5:17 to understand God's will
2. God wants to lead you ... trust him!
3. Proverbs 3: 5 -6
a. What does God promise? He will make our path straight
b. What are the conditions? 1. trust in the Lord, 2. seek His understanding, 3. acknowledge Him
4. What are some means which God uses in order to help His children understand His will?
a. Psalm 119:105 His word
b. 1 Corinthians 2:12 His spirit
c. Proverbs 15:22 His counsel and the counsel of strong godly men and women

SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES
1. FOLLOW SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES.
Matthew 6:33 seek God first
Matthew 22:37-39 love God with everything we have
1 Peter 1:15; be holy in all we do
2 Peter 3:18 grow in grace and knowledge
1 Corinthians 10:31 do everything to glorify God

2. OBEY WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY SHOWN YOU IN HIS WORD
James 1:5 ask for wisdom, He gives gererously without finding fault
Romans 12:1 -2 living sacrifice, be pure and blameless and not of this world
Psalm 37:31 keep the law of God in your heart and your walk will be firm

3. BE OPEN TO GOD'S LEADING
Ephesians 5:15 - 17 make the most of every moment, let God rule your heart
Colossians 3:15 let the peace of God rule your heart
John 7:17 choose God's will
John 6:38 do God's will

Jan 6: C3 Prayer

Goal: 1. To gain a sense of the importance of prayer for the Christian. 2. To learn important aspects to include in prayer.

There is no communication that is more important that that which you have between you and your creator. He desires to hear from you every moment of your life! Walk in prayer, let everything you do start and finish with a conversation with God.

Prayer is crucial because it does several things. Look up the following verses and note what prayer does.

1. John 14:13 brings glory to God
2. John 16:24 asking and receiving, completing our joy
3. Proverbs 15:8 pleases the Lord
4. James 5:17-18 gives us what we ask for

Prayer is powerful. It produces wonderful results and the Christian should take advantage of the opportunity to utilize God's power.

CONDITIONS:
Consider the following conditions or requirements:
1. Psalm 66:18, 1 John 1:9 confession
2. John 14:13 asking in God's name -- talking to God with the authority that Jesus has with the Father
3. John 15:7 remaining in God and in His word
4. 1 John 5:14 asking in his will
5. James 1:6 -8 Positive condition - believe and receive / Negative condition - doubt and perish
6. Mark 11:25 to forgive others

Read:
Hebrews 4:16
Philippians 4:19
Philippians 4:6 -7
Our attitude must be confident with out anxiety and with thankfulness
God's work includes mercy, grace, he meets our needs, peace, guards our heart, transcends all understanding

ACTS
Matthew 6: 9 - 13 The Lords Prayer.
Adoration - Reflecting about God Himself -- adoring God for who He is
Hallowed be your name
Confession - Agreeing with God that certain things in your life are sin
Forgive us
Thanksgiving - Expressing gratitude to God for what He has done
Your kingdom come...on earth
Supplication - Requests for other and for yourself
Give us our daily bread...forgive us...deliver us...