Overcomers – Chat Room Guide

Opening Prayer

Key Takeaways:

1. Making decisions based on Jesus’ values leads to better outcomes than circumstantial decision-making.
2. Satan tries to undermine our values to lead us into temptation.
3. We often overestimate our ability to resist temptation (restraint bias).
4. Three keys to fighting temptation: move from the line, magnify the cost, plan your escape.
5. God’s grace is available even when we’ve fallen to temptation.

Discussion Questions:

1. What stood out to you most from the sermon? Why?
2. The pastor said, “We make our decisions, but really our decisions make us.” What do you think this means? Can you share an example from your own life?
3. How have you experienced Satan trying to “twist” God’s values in your life? What was the result?
4. Discuss the concept of “restraint bias.” How have you seen this play out in your own attempts to resist temptation?
5. The sermon mentioned three keys to fighting temptation. Which one do you find most challenging and why? a. Move from the line b. Magnify the cost c. Plan your escape
6. How can we practically apply the idea of “pre-deciding” in our daily lives to help us resist temptation?
7. The pastor emphasized God’s grace even when we’ve fallen to temptation. How does this message of grace impact your view of yourself and your struggles?

Practical Applications:

1. This week, identify one area where you tend to “lean over the line” in terms of temptation. Brainstorm ways to create distance between yourself and that temptation.
2. Choose a specific temptation you face and write down the potential costs if you were to give in. Keep this list somewhere you can easily reference it.
3. Find an accountability partner in the group. Share with each other one temptation you’re struggling with and commit to checking in with each other regularly.
4. Memorize 1 Corinthians 10:13 as a reminder of God’s faithfulness in providing a way out of temptation.
5. Spend time in prayer each day this week, asking God to reveal His values to you more clearly and to strengthen you against temptation.

Closing Prayer