Here are some ideas that you could do with your children at home, that link the children’s everyday experiences to the Bible. As you play or create, you can talk about what happened in the story.
You could watch this video of the story:
TEACHING POINT
Even Jesus was tempted… what choices could we make when we are tempted?
PROGRAMME
Let’s Pretend
You could set up some small world role play to act out what it was like for Jesus in the desert. Talk about the animals, how dry and dusty it was, the weather, the lack of water and the big rocks.
Experiment
Follow this link for a very cool experiment that explains how temptation can get us sucked in to a tight spot but God is always there to help free us from tricky situations.
Craft
In the Bible, it talks about how the Bible is the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). And just like Jesus did, we can use God’s Word, The Bible, to fight against what is wrong and to help us to remember to make good and kind choices.
MESSAGE AND PRAYER
This story from the Bible makes me think how crazy it was that even Jesus was tempted… the Son of God was tempted. Sometimes we might be tempted to say an unkind thing to a friend or if we are cross with our brother or sister we might be tempted to push them or hurt them or if we have made a wrong choice we might be tempted to tell a lie and it’s easier then owning up and saying that we did it.
However, whenever Jesus was tempted he came back with a Bible verse to remind himself that he didn’t need to be tempted and that he had a choice! There is always a choice that we can make.
So this week, my challenge to you is… what choice are you going to make when we are tempted to do the wrong thing? Are we going to say or write down a kind word instead? Walk away when we are feeling cross? Or instead of telling a lie, are we going to own up and say that it was us and say sorry? What is your choice this week?
Pray for your week together!
PREVIOUS SESSIONS
Jesus
Christmas
Week 5: Simeon and Anna meet the baby Jesus
People from the Old Testament
David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17)
Samuel and Jesse’s children (1 Samuel 16)
Judges
Joshua
Joshua 5 - Joshua and the walls of Jericho
Joshua 3 and 4 - Joshua crosses the River Jordan
Exodus
Genesis
Genesis 27-29 - Esau and Jacob
Genesis 2 and 3 - Adam and Eve