KING OF THE HILL – Pause Part IV – JourneyMEN 09-20-2007

INTRODUCTION
Somewhere along the way you will be presented with an opportunity to jump ahead, to take a shortcut, to move closer to that goal you are chasing. And the only catch is that you will have to temporarily abandon your values. So what will you do? It turns out that Jesus was made just such an offer in His third temptation. Examining His response will prepare you for your moment of truth.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.) Name some people in our culture who have taken unethical shortcuts in order to get what they wanted quicker. What were the results of their decisions?
2.) Read Matthew 4:8-9. What is it about shortcuts that make them so tempting that the devil though he could tempt Jesus with a shortcut?
3.) Read Deuteronomy 6:10-13. What does your response to the temptation to take shortcuts say about in whom you put your trust?
4.) Read Matthew 4:10-11. What did Jesus gain when he chose unbroken fellowship with the Father over instant authority over the kingdoms of the earth (cf. Matthew 28:18)?
5.) What do you stand to lose when you take a shortcut?
6.) Have you ever been faced with an opportunity to jump ahead, but it required you to temporarily abandon your values? What was your response? What were the results?
7.) What do you currently want to get so badly that you are set up to temporarily turn your back on God?
8.) In this area, how can you remind yourself to choose what is important over what is immediate?

THINK ABOUT IT
When you take a shortcut you miss out on an opportunity to experience God?s intervention on your behalf. In the area where you could see yourself being tempted to take a shortcut, how could God intervene to give you the results you want, without compromising your intimacy with Him? WHAT WILL YOU DO?When faced with the temptation to take a shortcut commit to pause...and say the following, "Temptation, you're not going to steal my future. You're not going to steal my family. You're not going to steal my faith."

CHANGING YOUR MIND
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Matthew 4:10