Discussion Guide: A Warning to a Blessed People

Jan 12, 2026

Opening Prayer

Father,

Teach me to learn from the mistakes of those that have come before me. You have clearly given us the example of a nation of people you chose to pour out your blessings on and yet it did not show up in their lives. I ask that the same would not be true of me or our church body. Teach us to learn the way to escape when we are tempted, and teach us to love you more than we could ever love the world or its temptations.

Amen

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Key Takeaways from the Sermon

This sermon challenges us to learn from the nation of Israel's mistakes in the wilderness. Despite being incredibly blessed by God—guided, delivered, and provided for—most of Israel failed to please God and died in the wilderness. Paul uses their example to warn us that spiritual blessings don't guarantee we'll finish well. We must guard against pride, temptation, and taking God's grace for granted.

Main Points:

- You can be blessed spiritually and yet not please God

- Actions have consequences

- Pride leads to falling into temptation

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Discussion Questions

Section 1: Spiritual Blessings Don't Guarantee Faithfulness

Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-5

1.What spiritual blessings has God given you? Take time to list them specifically (salvation, the Holy Spirit, Scripture, Christian community, etc.). How often do you acknowledge these blessings?

2. The Israelites complained despite God's miraculous provision. When have you found yourself complaining about your circumstances despite knowing God's faithfulness? What does complaining reveal about our hearts?

3. The sermon mentioned that only 2 out of an entire generation (Caleb and Joshua) pleased God. What made these two different? How can we cultivate that same faithfulness?

4. "To begin well is no guarantee to finish well." What safeguards can we put in place to ensure we finish our faith journey strong?

Section 2: The Five Sins of Israel

Read 1 Corinthians 10:6-10

- Paul identifies five specific sins that plagued Israel:

- Lust/Discontentment (craving what we don't have)

- Idolatry (putting anything before God)

- Sexual Immorality (violating God's design for sexuality)

- Tempting Christ (questioning God's character and goodness)

- Complaining (expressing dissatisfaction with God's plan)

5. Which of these five sins do you think is most prevalent in the modern church? Why do you think that is?

6. Discontentment and envy: In what areas of life are you most tempted to look at what others have and want it for yourself? How does social media fuel this struggle?

7. The sermon said, "Complaining is not just a little pet sin—it's a big deal to God." Why do you think God takes complaining so seriously? What does it communicate about our trust in Him?

8. "Tempting Christ" means saying "I'll only believe/trust you if you do X, Y, Z." Have you ever caught yourself putting conditions on your faith? What circumstances tend to bring this out in you?

Section 3: Pride and the Way of Escape

Read 1 Corinthians 10:11-13

9. "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (v. 12). The sermon mentioned several high-profile Christian leaders who have fallen morally. Why do you think spiritual leaders are particularly vulnerable to pride and moral failure?

10. Verse 13 promises that "God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able." Do you find this encouraging or challenging? Have there been times when you've doubted this promise?

The sermon gave six practical steps for finding "the way of escape" from temptation:

- Check your belief

- Be honest about the temptation

- Surround yourself with godly people

- Be willing to submit to the leadership of someone else

- Fill your life with the things of God

- Be willing to do anything to be set free

11. Which of these six steps do you find most challenging? Which one do you need to implement this week?

12. "Bad company corrupts good character" (1 Cor. 15:33). Take an honest inventory: Are your closest relationships pushing you toward Christ or toward the culture? If needed, what changes should you make?

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Practical Application

Choose at least one action step to take this week:

- Confession: Identify one sin or temptation you've been hiding and confess it to God and to one trusted believer this week.

- Accountability: Ask someone further along in their faith to meet with you regularly for accountability and discipleship.

- Relationship Audit: Evaluate your closest friendships. Do they encourage godliness? If not, begin investing in relationships within the church.

- Media Fast: Identify one source of input (TV show, music, social media, etc.) that is feeding ungodly desires and remove it for at least two weeks.

- Gratitude Practice: Combat complaining by writing down 3 things you're grateful for each day this week.

- Radical Action: Identify what Jesus might be calling you to "cut off" or "gouge out" (metaphorically) to avoid temptation, and take that step.

Group Commitment:

- How can we as a group help each other learn from Israel's mistakes and not repeat them?

Consider establishing: