Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall 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 and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”
Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.
MATTHEW 4:1-11 ESV

God gives us physical disciplines to prepare us for spiritual battles

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. HEBREWS 12:11 ESV
Every appetite is an opportunity to worship.
For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 TIMOTHY 4:8 ESV

I must store away truth before the battles ahead

The bible is a finite book with infinite answers.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD. PROVERBS 21:31 NLT
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? MATTHEW 16:26 NLT

I must learn to say no in this life by putting my yes in the next life

Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. PSALM 73:25-26 ESV
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. PSALM 61:2b-3 ESV

Community Group Discussion Guide

1. Have you ever taken a test you were completely unprepared for? (Share the story)
2. Read Matthew 4:1-11. What did you learn about temptation after reading this passage?
3. In what ways does fasting (or abstaining) from something essential help us rely more deeply on God for what we need?
4. In what ways has your eternal hope helped you overcome the temptations that you face?
5. What are some of the big things you are, or should be, preparing for as you look ahead to 2018?
6. What specific things do you need to start doing or fast from to help you prepare?

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place where you can be alone with God. Read through Matthew 4:1-11. Spend a few minutes reflecting over the things you have said yes to over the last year, both the hits and the misses. Make a list of the top things that come to mind, including some little daily decisions and some big ones. Pick one and sit with it for a few minutes, asking God how this one thing has moved you closer to him or farther away from him. Ask God how your attitude towards it can change, by opening yourself to discipline or making it an opportunity to worship him more. As you move through your week, consider sharing what has happened in this time with someone that you trust.