Small Group Questions: The Intentional Wilderness Luke 4:1-13 Summary: Jesus began his ministry with forty days of fasting in the wilderness. The devil tempted him with secularism, syncretism, and skpeticism. Surrounded by barreness, but filled with the Spirit, Jesus overcame the devil's subtle tactics by recalling Israel's experience with temptation in the wilderness and the lessons learned from it. This shows the value of the spiritual disciplines of study, fasting, and solitude. Optional Ice Breakers (choose one) - What is the longest you ever went without eating? - How does hunger affect you? Explore 1. Why is Jesus in the wilderness? What does this say about God? About human nature? 2. In what ways does the Devil tempt Satan? What equivalent ways might he tempt us today? 3. Is there any significance to where the scriptures come from that Jesus quotes? (All are from Deut 6-8). What has Israel been doing in the context of those passages? What was the purpose of what they had been doing? (especially Dt. 8:1-) Apply 4. If the devil were to target you for temptation, which area of your life would he focus on? 5. When do you find yourself most vulnerable to the temptor? 6. What has helped you overcome temptation when it comes? 7. Consider each of these disciplines. Which are you strongest in? Weakest in? Consider the possible benefits of them: How might they strengthen your relationship with God? How might they transform how you work and play? How would they affect your relationships with others? How would affect ministry to others? a. Solitude - Quiet, focus, emptying, filling b. Study - reading, meditation, chewing, savoring c. Prayer - Response, communing, d. Silence - Enjoying his presence, no words, listening, waiting on the Lord e. Fasting - Inner hunger, humility, weakness, strength (Dt 8:3, 17) Pray: Read the following passages as a guide to your prayer (Psalm 42:1-4; Song of Solomon 3:1-4)