Pre-Decide

3 Keys to Overcoming Temptation

Review this week’s message.

Key Scriptures

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13 NIV

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 NIV

I wrote to you ... so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.
2 Corinthians 2:9, 11 NLT

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
1 Corinthians 10:12 NIV

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
Psalm 16:6 NIV

“... you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.”
Numbers 32:23 NIV

... Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.
Genesis 39:6-7 NLT

... But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.
Genesis 39:12 NIV

... 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.
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

Talk about some of the decisions you’ve made this week.

Start thinking. Ask a question to get your group thinking.

Which part of this message was most impactful for you and why?
What is your thought process like when you make plans for the future?
Read Matthew 26:41. Discuss a time when God helped you make the right decision or avoid temptation. What was that experience like?

Start sharing. Choose a question to create openness.

What does it look like to “move the line” when you’re fighting temptation? How could your LifeGroup help you put distance between yourself and temptation?
Consider the areas of your life where you’re most vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks. Share these with your LifeGroup. Talk about your escape plan now, so that you’re prepared when the devil attacks.

Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.

Father, we know that it can be easy to give in to temptation. Thank You for giving us the power to pre-decide how we’ll respond in these situations. Please remind us of the values You’ve placed on our hearts so that our decisions aren’t based on momentary emotions. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

This week, pre-decide how you’ll respond to temptation by moving the line, magnifying the cost, and planning your escape.
Start the Habits Bible Plan using Plans With Friends: www.go2.lc/habits
Find more resources to help you make better choices for a better life: www.life.church/betterchoices
Consider how you could love others by serving on the weekend www.life.church/serving or with a Local Mission Partner www.life.church/localmissions.