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