BIBLE SCHOOL EDITION – Nathan and Pastor Scott dive into what it takes to build spiritually mature relationships marked by humility, repentance, and growth. They explore how real connection requires more than surface-level friendship — it demands a willingness to confront sin, seek forgiveness, and walk in grace. They also encourage us to pursue relationships that reflect the transforming power of the gospel through honesty, accountability, and love. *Please note, this discussion takes place in two episodes. This is episode one.*

— EPISODE CHAPTERS — (00:00) Introduction (15:09) Maturity Goes Beyond Actions to Motives (24:31) How We Develop Doctrines (37:20) 1 Corinthians 10.13

— EPISODE LINKS — • Podcast Playlist | 1-3 John https://cultivaterelationships.com/1-3-john • The Habit Tree Worksheet https://cultivaterelationships.com/the-habit-tree-worksheet/ • Podcast Playlist | Gnosticism https://cultivaterelationships.com/gnosticism • The God Who Risks, by John Sanders (Amazon) https://a.co/d/e2CfqQZ • Small Group Series | Failure https://cultivaterelationships.com/small-groups/series-2-failure/ • More Content & Resources At Our Website https://cultivaterelationships.com/

— EPISODE NOTES — (1) ACKNOWLEDGE THE TEMPTATION • What temptation is common to you? (1 Corinthians 10:13) • What sins or addictions do you know you struggle with?

(2) IDENTIFY YOUR BAIT (TRIGGERS / RED FLAGS) • When, where, how, or with whom does the temptation usually present itself? (Proverbs 7:6-27) • What are the scenes (places) of the temptation? Don’t revisit them! (Proverbs 26:11) • Are you tired, hungry, emotionally exhausted, or stressed?

(3) RECOGNIZE TYPICAL RESPONSES • How do you typically respond to this temptation? • How have you tried to resist this temptation? Has it worked? (Secure a divers arsenal) If you have given in before, choose to do it a different way!

(4) PRE-DETERMINE YOUR NEXT RESPONSE • Are you securing a diverse arsenal of offensive & defensive weaponry? (Nehemiah 4) (e.g., Accountability, Communication, Scripture, Diversions, Pre-Emptive Actions, Corporate Prayer, Personal Prayer, Remove Bait, Confess Temptation, etc.) • Are you agreeing with Jesus and his victory over Satan, sin, and death? (Colossians 2:15) • Are you actively seeking the exit to temptation? (1 Corinthians 10:13)

(5) CONFESS, REPENT, & FORGIVE KNOWN SINS • Are you confessing and repenting of known sin to people AND Jesus? (1 John 1:8-9) • Are you forgiving other people of their sin? (Matthew 6:14-15; Ephesians 4:25-32)

(6) AGREE WITH WHO YOU ARE IN JESUS • Do you see yourself as dead to sin? (Romans 6:1-14) • Are you walking as though Christ were at home in you? (Ephesians 3:14-19;Galatians 2:20)

(7) RENEW YOUR MIND • What are you filling your thoughts with? (Philippians 4:8; 1 Timothy 2:22; Titus 1:15) • Are you getting rid of anything that generates tempting thoughts? (Ephesians 4:23, 31)

(8) RESIST THE DEVIL • Are you taking thoughts and ideas captive? (2 Corinthians 10:5) • Are you submitting to Jesus, his will, and commands? (James 4:7; John 15:1-17) (e.g., Repentance, Forgiveness, Read Scripture, Believe Truth, Live in Community, Etc.) • Are you resisting Satan, his servants, and their works and effects in your life? (James 4:7-10)