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God Helps Me Change by Teaching Me Scripture

The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:36-40) is what guides me as a Christian

The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) is what drives me as a Christian

God helps me change by teaching me scripture

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus. MATTHEW 4:1-11 NLT

Scripture helps to protect me when I face temptation

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. MATTHEW 4:1 NLT

And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. JAMES 1:13 NLT

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. … JAMES 1:12 NLT

Bible verses stabilize me when I am confused

Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’” Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” MATTHEW 4:5-7 NLT

With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives… EPHESIANS 4:17-18 NLT

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. MATTHEW 9:36 NLT

Bible verses are my best weapon against the devil

“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus. MATTHEW 4:10-11 NLT

The Bible connects me more deeply with God

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. DEUTERONOMY 6:4-9 NIV

What does it say?
What does it mean?
How do I apply it to my life?

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a place where you can be alone with God. Maybe you want to go for a walk or find a quiet place to sit. Gently clear your mind and calm your heart. If it helps, consider practicing some deep breathing or imagine releasing the things you're carrying to God. When you're ready, begin a conversation with the Lord about your practice of learning Scripture. Ask God some questions like, “What has been your overall experience of reading the Bible? How has God used scripture to connect you to Himself? What does your practice of learning Scripture look like? How has Scripture helped to equip you for life’s struggles and successes? What barriers do you encounter in learning Scripture?” (Allow these questions to simply be conversation starters with God. Don’t feel like you have to answer all of them. If there’s a question that stands out to you more than the others, feel free to make that your focus.) Close your time by identifying your next step that will help you grow in learning Scripture. Ask God to help you and thank Him for the time you had together.

Discussion Questions

Utilize the following questions to guide your group in a real discussion that points each other to Jesus. If you’re not in a group, join one at your campus at sandalschurch.com/fallgroups.

  1. What is it about the Great Commandments and the Great Commission that makes them important for us to know and remember?
  2. In what ways can scripture bring clarity and direction into life’s questions and challenges?
  3. Jesus used scripture against the devil, but oftentimes people use it against each other. How can we use scripture to build people up instead of tear them down?
  4. How does learning scripture better connect you with God? What changes have you seen in your life from this?
  5. Jesus knew scripture and could recall it confidently when he faced temptation. In what way has your regular practice of learning scripture prepared you to deal with temptation?
  6. Practice reading the Bible together with the R.E.A.L. Bible study method. 
Read James 1:12 aloud together.
Examine and discuss what it means. (Consider the verses before and after, or other parts of scripture that bring clarity to this verse).
Ask God and your group how to personally apply this to your life.
Live it out: How can your group encourage you to walk in obedience to this verse?