This is lesson 13 in our journey through the Gospels chronologically. This will likely take 3 years to complete, teaching weekly through the school year. The material is geared for elementary age kids. Each lesson will have a list of Scripture references, materials, introduction, object lessons, and hands on activities. Most lessons can be completed in 1- 1.5 hours. A few may need more than one class time. New lessons will be posted weekly. The posts will not have pictures because I will not be posting pictures of other people’s children. At the end of each school year, a printed version of the curriculum will be made available for purchase. This will include an appendix with printouts, game pieces, and other classroom helps.

Lesson 13: The Temptation

Scripture references:

Matthew 4:1-11

Mark 1:12-13

Luke 4:1-13

Materials:

Bible

Whiteboard and Markers

Treats

Papers with scriptures written out (see appendix)

Introduction:

1. Read Mark 1:12

2. Take the kids to another room that will represent “the wilderness”

Activities

Object Lesson 1: Resisting Temptation

Purpose- to show the kids that they also face temptation

1.     Set up a room as “the wilderness”

2.    Place something the kids would want (candy, toys etc)

3.    Start leading the kids to the room then announce that you forgot something.

4.    Tell the kids to go to the room while you get the item you forgot. Tell them to sit down but not to touch anything.

5.     Have an older student come in and ask what they are doing. Then the student should try to convince the kids to take the treats.

Note: don’t use your class helper, parent, or anyone else that has authority over the kids since that would be confusing. Make sure the temptor knows to stop them if they actually try to take something by saying “Oops, you lose the game.” The idea is to show them what temptation can look like not cause them to break a rule.

Hands on Activity 1: Discussion

Purpose- to have them recognize different forms of temptation

1.     Let them have the treat.

2.    Discuss what temptation feels like and ways the kids have already felt it in other situations

3.    Discuss the 3 main categories of sin and how we are tempted by each.

Lust of the Flesh

Lust of the Eyes

Pride of Life

Hands on Activity 2: Scripture Comparison

Purpose-

1.     Read Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13

2.    Discuss the different information each section gives

Matthew: Led by the Spirit to be tempted

Luke: Filled with Spirit (remember baptism)

Both: Fasted 40 Days

Luke: tempted during the 40 days (don’t know details)

Note: different order but same temptations

3.    Discuss each temptation and which category of sin it represented

4.    Point out that Jesus used scripture to help him resist Satan

Hands on Activity 3: Pick your Scripture

Purpose- to show that there is help in the Bible when facing temptation

1.     Have papers with scriptures on them scattered across the whiteboard (see appendix)

2.    Call out a sin or temptation and have the kids pick a scripture that could help them resist. Remind them that temptation is not sin, but it makes it harder to choose not to sin.

Anger- Psalm 4:4

Arguing- Proverbs 17:14

Boasting- Proverbs 27:2

Complaining/Contentment- Hebrews 13:5

Gossip- Proverbs 11:13

Lying- Psalm 120:2 (prayer when tempted), Proverbs 12:19

Peer Pressure- Proverbs 1:10

Revenge- Proverbs 20:22

Stealing- Ephesians 4:28

Throwing a fit- Proverbs 29:11