Jesus is Tempted - Matthew 4:1-11

Idea 1

Read through the story with the kids.

• Then let them colour in the story as you ask them questions.

• What happened after Jesus was baptized?

• How long did Jesus go without eating?

• How many times did the devil try to tempt Jesus?

• What was the first temptation?

• What was the second temptation?

• What was the third temptation?

• How did Jesus respond?

Idea 2

Sit down and tell the kids the story from today.

• Tell them that Jesus was tempted three times.

• Show the kids some rocks, and tell them that Jesus was really hungry and he was tempted to turn the rocks into bread.

• Climb up a ladder, or ask one of the kids to climb up a ladder. Tell the kids that Jesus was tempted to go to a really high place at the temple and jump so that angels would catch him and everyone would see the big show.

• Look at a map and talk about all the cities of the world. Tell the kids that Jesus was tempted to bow down and worship satan so that he would be powerful and in charge of all the big cities in the world.

Idea 3

Have some temptation trials with the kids.

• Set up the room like a court room and have a fake jail to the side.

• One at a time, let the defendants come to the stand and tell their story.

• Let the jury listen to their story and decide if they are guilty of being tempted or not.

• If the defendant is guilty, send them to jail.

• Let the last defendant be Jesus. He should be the only one who is not guilty of being tempted.

Idea 4

Have a discussion with the kids.

• Ask them if they know what temptation means? (it’s when you want to do something when you know you shouldn’t).

• Give a few examples in your own life of when you have been tempted.

• Let the kids share a few stories from their own lives of when they have been tempted.

Idea 5

Read some “What Should They Do” situations with the kids.

• Have a discussion after each situation about what would be the right thing to do.  

Idea 6

Tempt the kids and see how they react.

• Hide candy around the room, then give each of the kids a bag or basket and ask the kids to go on a treasure hunt.

• At the end of the hunt let everyone sit down and ask them to do what they think is fair with the candy.

• Let the kids figure it out and watch what they do.

• Once the kids have settled ask them something like “does anyone have any complaints about how much candy everyone got?” “Was anyone tempted to keep more candy than what was fair?”

• Use this situation to talk about the word temptation. Tell them temptation is when you want to do something when you know you shouldn’t.

Idea 7

Ask the kids to stand up and get them to respond to your statements…they can stop responding when you all say “help me Jesus”.

• Jump up and down if get tempted to sneak time on the computer or iPad….help me Jesus.

• Touch your toes if you get tempted to sneak a snack before dinner….help me Jesus.

• Spin around if you get tempted to yell and scream when you get mad…..help me Jesus.

• Put your hands on your head if you get tempted to fight with your brother or sister…..help me Jesus.

• Lie on your stomach if you get tempted to play video games all day…..help me Jesus.

• Lie on your back if you get tempted to not help your parents when they ask…..help me Jesus.