“Empowered” Lesson #2

  “ Empowered to overcome sin and temptation“

Intro:  What is an extreme sport or activity you have never done that you would love to do?

                                                                Study

  1. Isaiah 48:16, Acts 1:8 God has called us to live a life empowered by the Holy Spirit so that we can reach the lost, be victorious, and able to accomplish His purposes here in this world.
    1. Mathew 19:26 The Holy Spirit will empower us to accomplish that which seems  impossible for us to do in our own strength.
      1. Matt 13:3-8 Many youth and young adults start off on fire for God, but they backslide and fall away from God as soon as they face sin, temptations, or difficulties.
      2. 1 Kings 18:20-21 Many of these youth feel stuck in a cycle of being on-fire for God for a while, only to then backslide and fall way from God, many feel that they can’t seem to break free from a cycle of backsliding.
    2. Gal 5:7-8  Often youth and young adults are pulled away from God due to wrong relationships, negative influences, peer pressure, or secret sin that is in their lives.
  2. Eph 4:27, Psalms 119:9-11 In order to overcome sin and temptation in our lives, we first need to shut the door on the devil by cutting off every wrong relationship, bad influence, secret sin, and environment of temptation!
    1. 2 Cor 6:14+17 We then need to honor God by setting ourselves apart from the sins of the world, and by being active in our youth serving God in the ministry.
      1. 1 Cor 10:13 When we obey God, submit to God and follow God with all of our hearts, He will always give us a way out of every sin and temptation that wants to stop us.
      2. 1 Thess 5:17  As we pray, worship, and study the Bible the Holy Spirit will break off old  sins, will strengthen us, and empower us to overcome and resist all sin and temptations!
    2. Zech 4:6, Isaiah 7:9 If we choose to obey God by separating ourselves from the sins of the world, pray and study the Bible, and serve God in the ministry, then the Holy Spirit will empower us to overcome all sin, temptations, and everything else that will try to stop us!#Empowered!

         Discussion

  1. Why do you think so many people feel stuck in a cycle of backsliding and struggle with sin and temptations in their lives?
  2. What do you feel are the steps that the Bible gives us so that we can overcome every sin and temptation in our lives?
  3. Who can share a testimony of a victory that God gave you over a sin or temptation that once had control in your life?
  4. Is there anyone here tonight who is struggling with sin and temptation that is pulling you away from God and keeping you from your purpose? Are you ready to surrender to God tonight?

 

End: Pray for those who want to be empowered to overcome sin and temptation, Pray for those who want to rededicate their lives to Christ, then take requests.