We are beginning our Lenten study of the Gospel of Matthew on February 25, 4:00 pm, at the Church with Deacon Bruce. We will cover Matthew 4:1-11, the 40 days in the Wilderness. As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What had Jesus just experienced before he was led into the wilderness?  
 a.  How might this have prepared him for His wilderness experience? 
2. What characters are involved in the wilderness temptation and what are their names? 
3. With each of Jesus’ responses, how did He respond and on whom did He keep the focus? 
4. From Jesus’ perspective, what appeal/justification might each of these temptations have? 
a.  Which of these temptations would have been the most difficult for you? 
b. How do you prepare yourself for the trials/temptations of this world?
6. How does this version of the story differ from those in Mark 1:12-13 and Luke 4:1-13? Why do you think there are three versions?
7. Where do the quotations that both the Devil and Jesus cite come from and what is their context in the sources?