Adult Bible Study Online

Facing temptation

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"Do I or don't I?"

Lesson text: Matthew 4:1-11
By: Ken Seitz
Email: kenseitz@hotmail.com

It has been a rough weekend for one of the couples in our church small group. Late last week one of the pair was stricken with what appears a severe attack of sciatica. Today, still bedfast after four days of intense pain and trying to manage pain from home, the two decided it was time to get to the emergency room. They called 911, the ambulance came, and over icy streets they gingerly made their way to the ER of the local hospital.

We received a call about 11:30 a.m. saying that our friends were in ER room 8. After pondering the call a few moments, I knew I had a choice to make. I was tempted to go check in on them at the ER, and I was tempted not to go. One of the reasons we said we exist as a small group, I thought to myself, is to support one another in difficult circumstances. On the other hand, I reasoned, those ER rooms are small and cramped; I might just be in the way. Heavy decision to make, right?

Well, in the end I opted to go. I made a choice; I made a decision. While tempted to hang back lest I become an intruder or for some other excuse, I drove the car, parked in the snowy parking lot, walked to the front desk, and told the receptionist that I was here to see the folks in room 8. And it turned out to be a very welcome reunion. I heard about the medical tests in progress, I prayed with the couple, and then took the caregiver spouse to lunch in the hospital cafeteria. I am so, so glad I resisted the temptation not to put forth the effort.

"Wow!" you say. This lesson is about temptations facing Jesus our Messiah, choices Jesus had to make related to his core ministry. And you come along with such a story?

ABS Teacher, p. 37, says, "The temptation story in Matthew clarifies that there are right and wrong choices, and that the impulse to take shortcuts or collaborate with the wrong to fulfill our desires is a major battle in the Christian life." Let us ponder these things.

This message relates to the Adult Bible Study. For additional information on Adult Bible Study or Adult Bible Study Teacher, send email to info@mpn.net. To order either publication call Mennonite Publishing Network at 1 800 245-7894.