WELCOME TO WEEK 1

Have you ever read a book that was so good you couldn’t put it down? It may have gotten really late, or it was really bedtime, but you just couldn’t stop turning the pages to read? Perhaps it was the story characters or the intense plot that kept you interested. This month we will read some page-turning stories that will keep us on the edge of our seat, rooting for our hero, Jesus!

Luke 4:1-13; Psalm 91:9-16 

BIBLE STORY

It's hard to resist doing things we really want to do, even when we know we are not supposed to. Can you resist blinking your eyes? Let’s challenge each other to a staring contest. Whoever blinks first loses. So try to resist blinking!

Was it easy or hard to resist blinking your eyes? That’s not an easy thing to do, even when we really want to resist! Jesus resisted temptation, but it was not easy. Satan wanted to cause him to sin, but thinking of His own comfort and desires rather that what God’s will. Because Jesus overcame temptation, we can resist temptation as well. We can use the power of Jesus to resist the temptations that may come at us. Let’s read our bible verse for this week to see how Jesus resisted temptation and overcame. 

Read or listen to the scripture Luke 4:1-13

How many days was Jesus in the wilderness? (40 days)

What did He eat during His time int he wilderness? (Nothing)

What was the first temptation Satan gave Jesus? (To turn stones into bread)

How did Jesus respond? (Men does not eat on bread along but on the word of God)

What was Satan’s second temptation? (For Jesus to demonstrate he was the Song of God by throwing himself down for the angels to save him)

How did Jesus respond? (Do not test the Lord your God)

What was Satan’s third temptation? (Offering to give Jesus the world if he bowed down and worshiped him)

How did Jesus respond? (Go away Satan, worship the Lord your God and serve only Him)

After the third temptation what did Satan do? (He left and the angels attended Jesus)

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

Activity

In life we all have to navigate through temptations that are thrown at us. Just because we have been faced with a temptation, we do not have to give in to the temptation. We can say no or walk away from the temptation. Create a small obstacle course around an open area using simple obstacles such as chairs, blankets, pillows and pool noodles. Print the attached cards and scatter them throughout the obstacle course. Collect the cards that have positive choices we should make to draw closer to God, but avoid stepping on the cards that have temptations we should avoid. Demonstrate the path of your obstacle course so your child knows how to get to the end. Repeat the obstacle course in reverse, if desired, and move the cards to new areas.

Materials: printed obstacle course cards, items to create an obstacle course such as chairs, blankets, pillows, pool noodles, etc.

Alternate

Have you ever been tempted to do something you know you shouldn’t do? We are all tempted by people, friends, things we see on television, or unhealthy food. Listen to the following scenarios and decide what you would do if you were being tempted in this way. How would you avoid or withstand the temptation?

Materials: scenario cards

Independent activity:

Jesus is with us through all of our trials and all of our temptations. With Him we can resist temptations. In many stories that we read there is a sidekick, the person who is the hero’s helper or the main characters closest friend. Jesus is also our sidekick. It is important for us to remember how Jesus has been with us in the past so that we can trust He will be with us in the future. Create a list of things Jesus has helped you with this week or month.

Materials: White sheet of paper, pen/pencil

ARTS & CAFTS

CRAFT 1

Coloring page

Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons

Craft 2

Coloring page

Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons

FOLLOW-UP

Read or listen to Psalm 91:9-16

Who does this verse say is our refuge?

What will God command His angels to do?

What is the reason God said he will rescue us? 

What is our part in God taking care of us?

God says He will be our refuge, he will send His angels to guard over us, and he will rescue us because we love Him! The bible tells us what we need to do, which is to love and trust Him. We can trust that God will take care of us and be with us to help fight temptations.

Practical Application at Home

If you could have a special power, what would it be? Would you be able to fly? Be so strong you could lift a building? Be so fast you could almost be in 2 places at the same time. Although these may sound like cool super powers, God has given us the ability to hero’s in the lives of others. We can save someone’s day by our acts of kindness and being willing to give to others. Think of the following ways you can be a hero to someone in your life. Pick 1 or two things that you can  do this week for someone else.

Pick flowers and give the bouquet to someone

Write a note of encouragement to your teacher

Share a kind word to a classmate

Volunteer to help your teacher or coach and smile while working

Do a household chore at home without being asked to do it

Say “hi” to 5 people you walk by at school, church or while walking through the store with your parent

Additional Resources

Outings to Reinforce Lesson

Enjoy the cool weather and take a nature walk. Observe the things God created and how they work together in His plan. What part do each of us play in God’s plan for us?