The Mountains of God – Week 5 Guide

The Mountain of Temptation – Matthew 4:1-11

To download the guide for this week, use the link below.

Connecting

Have you ever tried to build a new habit (like eating healthier, exercising, or spending less time on your phone) and found that it was hardest right at the beginning? What made it challenging?

The Mountain of Temptation, Matthew 4:1-11

Matthew 4:1-11

¹ Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. ³ The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” ⁴ But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,

‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,

so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

⁷ Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ”

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; ⁹ and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” ¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,

‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ”

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Questions for Discussion

1. What stands out to you most about Jesus being led into the wilderness?
2. What patterns do you notice in the three temptations?
3. How do you see Jesus responding to each temptation — and what do you think we can learn from that?
4. What lies do you think Satan is trying to plant — especially about identity and trust?
5. What do you think this passage can teach us about shortcuts versus obedience?
6. How do you think Jesus’ victory here can give us hope in our own temptations?

Praying for Each Other

Are there any joys to celebrate, any burdens we can share?

Closing prayer

Holy and Merciful God, thank You for showing us, in Jesus, what faithfulness looks like in the face of temptation. Thank You that Jesus understands weakness, hunger, pressure, and testing. Help us to recognize the subtle ways we are tempted — especially in moments of need, insecurity, or ambition. Anchor us in your truth, the way Jesus was anchored in Scripture.
Give us discernment to resist shortcuts, courage to trust your timing, and confidence in our identity as your children.
And when we stumble, remind us that your grace is greater, and your mercy is new every morning. We rely on you, not on our own strength.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.rostrate and declare you as Lord, and believe. Amen.