One Line At A Time: Deliver Us From the Evil

Published February 16, 2025

In this message, Pastor Robyn Elliott explores the concept of the Lord’s Prayer, particularly the demand, "deliver us from the evil," emphasizing the difference between tests that prove character and temptations that destroy it. It examines how evil manifests both personally and systemically, urging us, as Jesus followers, to consider our complicity in such forces and our role in addressing them as a community. The prayer calls for solidarity as the church, and challenges us to see life's trials as opportunities for growth or temptation.

Discussion Questions

What does the phrase "deliver us from the evil" mean in the context of both personal struggles and collective societal issues? How can we identify and address the evil we may be complicit in, whether as individuals or as a community?
In what ways does the distinction between testing and tempting shape our understanding of God's role in our lives? How can we differentiate between challenges that strengthen our character versus those that seek to harm us?
How does the Lord’s Prayer, particularly the demand to be delivered from evil, emphasize the collective nature of faith and community? What responsibility do we bear as a church or society in the fight against evil, and how does this impact our individual prayers?
What does the idea of success as both a test and a temptation reveal about how we view life’s challenges? Can moments of success be opportunities for spiritual growth, or do they always pose a risk of leading us astray?
How does understanding Jesus’ refusal to tempt us challenge our perception of God? How does this change the way we view hardships, suffering, or struggles in our lives?