Read Genesis 3:11-13

• Notice the response of Adam and Eve to God. How would you describe their attitudes and emotions in this exchange?

• What role does blame play in your life? When things go wrong, how do you typically respond?

• Consider how guilt and blame are connected.

Read Luke 4:5-8

• What does “their glory and all this authority” mean?

• Where is the temptation here? Why does Jesus reject Satan’s offer?

• Consider how “their glory” stands up against God’s glory.

Our drive to achieve recognition, rewards, and authority rarely leads us to a place of fulfillment and joy.

• Have you ever allowed a small flaw or failure take away from or ruin a significant moment in your life?

• Does life ever feel like a treadmill? Not matter how fast you run, it doesn’t seem to go anywhere different.

God created us and gives us meaningful work to do. In this meaningful work we find fulfillment, joy, and connection with God and each other.

• Do you know the meaningful work God created you to do?

• Faithfulness led Jesus to greater glory and authority than Satan could possibly give. What does faithfulness to God look like for you?

Read Genesis 1:28-31

• What has God given Adam and Eve?

• Is there any need that goes unmet in the garden?

• Into a world of abundance, the serpent’s lie created scarcity. Even with every need met, people feel that they still need and deserve more.

Read Luke 4:1-4

• Consider the setting of these temptations. What is the “wilderness”?

• Notice what Satan brings (or does not bring) with him.

• Think about why turning a stone into bread would be a bad idea?

One does not live by bread alone

• Consider why Jesus was fasting (avoiding food) to begin with.

• Notice the word live. Living (eternal life) is a major part of the ministry of Jesus. He actively wants people to have the fullness of life.

• In this temptation, what would Jesus have to give up in order to gain bread?

How much do we give up to cover up the fear of not having enough?

• A hungry Jesus chose to trust the Lord’s provision in the wilderness.

• Jesus was not afraid. He calls us to not fear. The antidote to fear is peace. We have all that we need in Christ.

• Consider what it looks like to live in the abundance of Christ.

Read Luke 4:9-12

• Consider where Satan took Jesus. What was the importance of the Temple and Jerusalem?

• What motive do you think Satan might have in convincing Jesus to jump and let angels catch Him?

• Notice Satan’s use of the word “if”.

During the baptism of Jesus, God the Father identified Jesus as His son. Now Satan is calling that identity into question.

• Satan’s goal is to cast doubt on truth. He creates problems where no problem actually exists.

• If Jesus had jumped and angels had caught Him, it would not have erased doubt, it would have created a cycle where Jesus needed to prove His identity time and time again…undercutting the truth…

• What role does the need to prove yourself play in your everyday life?

• How often does shame, fear, guilt, and doubt impact your decisions?

“You must not test the Lord your God” – Jesus

• Jesus was unwilling to play Satan’s games. He didn’t need too.

• His identity came from the Father. It was enough. No validation required.

• This is true of us as well. Yet often we seek the approval of others over the given reality of God’s grace, love, and acceptance.

Surrender your shame. In Christ we find our rest. (Read Matthew 11:28-30)

Read Genesis 3:1-6

• God created Adam and Eve. They were complete and lacking nothing. They were at peace and knew the fullness of life with God.

• Adam and Eve had clear answers for three key questions in life.

o Who am I? (A friend to God created in His image.)

o How much do I have? (All that is needed to live well.)

o What am I here to do? (Care for God’s creation.)

• What trick does the serpent use to entice Eve to eat of the tree?

The one thing that Adam and Eve didn’t need and should not have ended up costing them everything.

• The serpent’s lie shifted Adam and Eve from peace to discontentment. Suddenly, they were not enough and didn’t have enough.

• How does the serpent’s lie speak to us today?

• How do we respond?

Read Genesis 3:7

• For the first time, Adam and Eve felt the need to hide themselves from each other and the Lord.

• The need for approval and the presence of shame entered the world.

Take this week to consider how often we act to seek approval or avoid shame. What do we hide from others, God, and ourselves? Are we willing to choose a better motivation in our relationships?

Read 1 Samuel 25:32-35

• How does David react to Abigail?

• Notice the shift in David from vengeance to peace. Consider how Abigail was used by God to cause this shift.

• Consider what it is to be blessed to and to be a blessing to others.

Read all of 1 Samuel 25

• Notice the characters of Nabal, David, and Abigail. Each exhibits certain character traits. Pay attention to the differences.

• Nabal is a rich fool who returns the honor that David extends him with shame and insult. How would you describe Nabal’s character?

• David is the anointed king on the run from King Saul. Notice David’s willingness to move from anger to peace.

• Abigail is described as intelligent and beautiful. Her actions protect Nabal and Nabal’s people. He actions protect David. How would you describe her character?

Abigail found herself in an impossible situation. Her quick, smart, and risky action set people on a path that was previously unavailable.

• Wisdom comes from understanding and awareness. How did the wisdom of Abigail shape the outcome of this story?

• Finding the best path forward isn’t easy and it doesn’t come without risk and sacrifice. What best path forward do you need to choose today?

Read 1 Samuel 18:1-5

• Consider the connection between Jonathan and David.

• Notice the presence of a covenant (agreement) between them.

• Think about the importance of Jonathan (the greatest general and heir to the throne) giving his robes, armor, and sword to David.

• Have you ever had a friend like this?

Life is messy. Jonathan is king Saul’s son, a general and leader of the Israelite people, and David’s friend. All of these roles will end up in confusion and conflict. How Jonathan handles them matters.

Read 1 Samuel 18:6 – 20:42

• How quickly does the world in which Saul, David, Jonathan, and the people go away?

• Notice how Jonathan remains true to his father, David, and the people even as each of these groups are in conflict.

• Consider the integrity of Jonathan. He stood true in a mess.

Our Mess

• Relationships are not easy. How do you respond to the awkwardness that often exists between people?

• Notice how Jonathan points everyone to God consistently, speaks and seeks truth, and maintains his integrity throughout.

• What are we avoiding because it’s awkward and difficult?

Read 1 John 5:13-15

• Notice the sequence of thought. Belief in Jesus leads to life, which leads to boldness/confidence, which leads to prayer (according to His will), which leads to answers.

• Notice how eternal life, prayer, and God’s will are connected.

• Consider the role of boldness/confidence in prayer.

How often do we pray for what we want rather than what God desires? How does seeking God’s will change the dynamics of prayer and life?

Read 1 John 5:18-20

• Confidence in the Lord changes how we approach other people and the world. Consider where our confidence comes from and what He does.

• Notice the role understanding plays in the life of one who believes.

• Consider what “being in his Son Jesus Christ” means in practical terms.

The Question of Identity

• Sin shapes identity. It injects destruction into creation. Sin reduces human beings down into collections of wrongs, harms, and struggles.

• Christ shapes identity. He brings light into the darkness and establishes order from chaos. Christ elevates human beings to create good in an often dark world. Christ is always greater than sin.

• Consider your identity. Which has shaped it more…Christ or sin?

What will we do with the life and light Christ gives us?

Read 1 John 5:1-5

• Notice how verse 1 and 5 begin and end similarly. John bookends this core truth to emphasis the message found in verses 2-4.

• Notice how love, obedience, and faith are connected. It does not appear that they can be understood separately.

• Consider what it means to “conquer the world”.

Often the commandments of the Lord are considered a burden to life. People have used the word “obedience” to press all kinds of agendas and ideas. True obedience is not burdensome. Instead, it brings life.

• Consider the often-repeated command to “love one another”. What is the purpose of this command? What happens when it is obeyed?

• What are the unwritten commands of this world?

o Do whatever you need to do in order to survive.

o Let no misdeed go unpunished.

o Look out for number one at all times and at all costs.

• The unwritten commands of this world are a burden that add to the worry, stress, and distractions of life. Consider their impact on you.

Read 1 John 5:11-12

• The testimony is Jesus. He who conquered death gives life.

• That testimony is our testimony. We find life (eternal) in Christ.

What sort of life will you choose today?

Read 1 John 4:7-12

• Spend some time thinking about the love God has for us.

• How does God reveal His love for us?

• Where does love come from and find its full expression?

The love of God is transformative. It brings life and light into this world.

• Love is a reflection of the nature of God. Along with being our creator and savior, God is love.

• Being loved and loving others are keys to life.

• Consider the importance of love in your life.

There will always be those who use the name of love (intentionally or otherwise) to achieve other purposes. John warns his people that this approach separates people from God.

• The Palm Sunday crowds welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem. The Good Friday crowds chanted “Crucify Him!”

• How do we respond when our expectations of people we love are not met? What does that response say about love?

• Jesus willingly goes to the cross for those who chanted “Crucify Him!” What does this say about the love Jesus has for people?

Read 1 John 4:16-18

• Boldness in love. Love that casts out fear. Love that unites us with God.

• How well does this passage describe us? What needs to change?

Read 1 John 3:1-8

• This is a complex passage. Look for common phrases and words.

• Start with the phrase “children of God”. Make a list of how this passage talks about being a child of God.

• Next, pay attention to the word “revealed”. Look for what has been revealed, what will be revealed, and how those things are applied.

• Compare how the words “purity” and “righteousness” are used.

• Examine how “sin” is explained.

John continues to put the reality of Christ in front of people. When you break this passage down certain ideas come together.

• It means something to be a child of God.

o Children of God are centered in the love of the Father.

o Children of God have identity in Christ, are made pure, and can live righteously.

o Children of God have freedom to pursue their purpose in life.

• There is a now and a not yet when it comes to life and faith.

• The Lord is doing a great work that His children get to participate in.

John is writing to a group of people in tension with each other and in their understanding of how to follow Christ. Where is your tension with God and others?

What impact does being a Child of God have on your life daily?