Temptation of Jesus Christ | Sunday School Lessons

The temptation of Jesus Christ should be used
as an example to resist temptation using the
Word of God.
Photo: Percita, Wikimedia Commons

Many children don't know that Jesus Christ was tempted by the devil while he lived here on earth.

In Sunday school, kids learn about the many wonderful things that Jesus did while he was here - turning the water into wine, making the blind man see, walking on water, dying on the cross, rising from the dead, and many, many other miracles.

But, not too many teachers teach the temptation of Jesus. I've often wondered why.

This is a great Sunday school lesson to teach kids. Knowing that even Jesus Christ himself was tempted by the devil just as we are each and every day reassures me - I am not alone.

It also gives me a better sense of understanding what I need to do to resist him. Jesus knew the scriptures and used the verses within the scriptures against the devil. We need to learn and teach the scriptures to our class to help them fight the evils of this world too.

Temptation of Jesus Christ Sunday School Lesson

After the baptism of Jesus, he was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil (Matthew 4:1 KJV). He was in the wilderness forty days and forty nights and the bible tells us that he fasted during that time.

Fasting means to not eat anything.

Ask the kids, "How long have you went without eating?"

Wait for answers.

Many kids will only have gone a few hours while others may have gone a day or two if they have been sick or practice fasting themselves.

It will be hard for young children to imagine not eating forty days. This is okay as long as you get the point across that he was very, very hungry after not eating for so long.

First Temptation of Jesus Christ

The bible tells us that the 'tempter', who is the devil, came to Jesus and said, "If you really are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread so you can eat them.

 

Of course, Jesus could have quickly turned the stones into bread and eaten them because he was so hungry, but he didn't. Instead, he said back to the devil, "Man doesn't live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

Jesus was quoting this scripture from the book of Deuteronomy 8:3 KJV. He meant that bread may keep you alive here on earth, but without God you can't have eternal life. We need to feed our spiritual part too. How do we do that? By coming to church, Sunday school, reading and memorizing the bible, and praying.

Second Temptation of Jesus Christ

Then, the devil took Jesus to the top of the temple. He said to Jesus, "If you really are the Son of God, throw yourself down off this temple. Then, the devil did something that we don't realize he can do - he quoted the scriptures.

He said, "It is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone." (Psalm 91:11-12 KJV)

Ask the kids, "Did you know the Devil knew the scriptures?"

Wait for answers.

The devil wanted Jesus to jump or throw himself off the temple then call his angels to catch him so he wouldn't get hurt.

Again, Jesus did not. Instead, he counters the devil with another verse of scripture, "It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."

Third Temptation of Jesus Christ

The last time Jesus is tempted the devil takes him to a high mountain. He shows him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

The devil says to Jesus, "If you will bow down to me, I will give you all that you see."

Then, Jesus replied, "Get away Satan. For it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."

The devil left him and the angels came to him.

What We Learn from this Sunday School Lesson

We learn a lot from this Sunday school lesson and it may be hard to teach younger children it all. So, for this lesson we will focus on some important details kids can relate to.

First, when Jesus lived here, he was just like us. He got hungry. He go thirsty. He was tempted to sin. He chose not to sin just like we can choose not to sin. It is a choice and we need to make the right choice.

Second, Jesus knew the scriptures by heart. When faced with doing something he shouldn't, he quoted the verses of scripture to help him through. The devil knows them too.

Third, we need to learn bible verses to help us through each day. Kids may not realize the importance of learning verses and may feel it is too much like 'school'. Don't let that stop you as a teacher. You will just have to find new creative and fun ways to get them learning.

Bible verses can be taught by playing games, having contests, repeating them each time you meet, and many other ways.

Fourth, we are to worship God only.

Fifth, we learn that with God nothing shall be impossible. We need only to lean on him when we are tempted and he will help us through.

Talk to the kids about ways they are tempted in their lives: lying, cheating, stealing, disobeying, or other things your kids may be going through.

Good luck and may God bless you as you teach the word of God.


 

Continue

Garden of Eden | Temptation | Sunday School Lessons

Garden of Eden
Sunday School Lesson
Photo: yimmy149 Flickr
 

Just saying the words 'Garden of Eden' sends my mind to a tropical paradise filled with friendly animals, fresh clean water, amazing plants, and the most delicious fruit I can imagine. I've often wondered what kind of place that must have been.

Imagine - Adam and Even didn't have to worry about any thing in the Garden of Eden. God supplied their every need.

But, just like today, we often want something we shouldn't want. That is exactly what happened to Eve. Even though the serpent was smooth taking, Eve could have resisted, but instead she gave into temptation.

Let's see what happens in the Sunday school lesson - Garden of Eden.

Garden of Eden - Sunday School Lesson

The Garden of Eden must have been a sight to see. Words couldn't possibly describe what it looked like. Adam and Eve didn't even have to work for their food. God supplied it all. He supplied food, water, and companionship for Adam, Eve and all the animals. God even walked and talked with them.

What more could they want?

Temptation is a bad thing. It is hard to overcome, but no matter how hard, we must walk away and always do the right thing.

Lucifer

Temptation didn't just start with Adam and Eve though.

Begin your Sunday school lesson by telling the kids a bit about Lucifer who became Satan and just how much danger temptation can cause.

Get the Garden of Eden
Sunday School Coloring Page

One day, we are not told exactly when, an angel named Lucifer wanted to take over heaven and all things that God had made. He even tried to turn the other angels against God. Some of the angels listened to Lucifer.

God was stronger than Lucifer though and God cast Lucifer and all the angles that were doing what Lucifer said, out of heaven. Lucifer should have known that he couldn't over throw God. Even he gave into the temptation to be ruler of everything.

Where did that get him?

Let the kids answer and see what kind of answers they give you. Some kids may not even want to say the words. They may just point down and that's okay as long as they know the answer.

Temptation

Talk a little bit about temptation. Temptation is anything that makes us want something we shouldn't or desire to do something that is wrong. It's anything that can cause us to do something that is not right or not wise.

Adam and Eve

Adam and Even had it all, but what did they do? They gave into temptation. Let's see what happened.

Lucifer became Satan after he was tossed out of heaven, but that didn't stop him. He wanted to win more than ever and tried to deceive Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden.

And guess what.

It worked.

Satan disguised himself as a serpent and slithered his way into the Garden of Eden.

The serpent found Even and began his plan to tempt her to do something that was wrong. What was it?

Get the Garden of Eden
Sunday School Activity

He wanted her to eat of the fruit off the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This was the one tree in the whole garden she and Adam were not allowed to eat from, but did she stand firm for God or did she give into temptation?

Wait for answers.

She gave in.

First, think about this for a minute. If a creepy snake began talking to you, wouldn't you think something was up? Second, Eve had all of the other fruit and food in the garden, why was the fruit from this tree so important for her to eat?

Because she was told not too.

As children, you are given rules to abide by. These rules are set by God and by your parents or guardians. These rules were made to protect you and to guide you.

How often have you been tempted to do the opposite of those rules?

Let's look at a few rules you may be tempted to break.

• going to bed when told
• staying up later than told
• telling a lie to get out of trouble
• being jealous of what others have
• taking cookies or sweets when told not to

Try to think of several circumstances that may work well with your age children.

 

How Should You React to Temptation?

First, remember, temptation is never good. Second, before giving in, stop long enough to pray to ask God to help you not go along with whatever you're facing.

Last, pray each day that God will help you when situations like this arise because they will arise.

Creation Story Flannel Board Figures

What Do We Learn?

After Adam and Eve ate the fruit, God cast them out of the Garden of Eden. Not only that, but now they would have to work for their food. God wouldn't supplying them with every thing as he had before. They had to till the ground and plant food. It was hard work.

Do you want to know what else?

Adam and Eve could have lived forever in the Garden of Eden, but now after giving in to temptation, they will grow old and die.

Why would they want to give up everything for a single bite?

Answer that question with another...Why do you do the things that you do when you know they are wrong?

Satan tempts us every day just as he did Adam and Eve.

It may be small things like taking someone's ball or hair bow, or it could be something big like stealing a car or robbing a bank.

Satan does all he can to tempt us into doing wrong things. The next time you are faced with a temptation like Adam and Even in the Garden of Eden, remember to pray for God's help.

And guess what.

He will help you.

 

 

 

Continue