Resisting Temptation Group
Group Activities

TEMPTATIONS MATCH GAME: Provide a large piece of poster board with "THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS" written across the top. Write each of Satan's temptations on one sheet of construction paper and Jesus' response on another. The children will tape Satan's temptations to the poster and match it with Jesus' answer.

Satan - "Tell this stone to become bread."

Jesus - "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone.'"

Satan - "Worship me and all the kingdoms of the world will be yours."

Jesus - "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"

Satan - "Throw yourself down from here and his angels will keep you safe."

Jesus - "It is written, 'Do not tempt the Lord your God.'"

STAY ON THE PATH GAME: The teacher will place a long rope or string to create a "path" around the class room. The children are to walk along that "path" where they will be tempted to leave the path by various things such as cookies, candy, or toys which they would have to step off of the path to reach. If they stay on the "path", it will lead them to a BIGGER PRIZE. (A prize which the teacher will choose.)

TEMPTATION BANNER: Give each child a long piece of paper and some markers. The children will first draw a STONE and write words for that temptation on or around the stone. The children will then draw some MOUNTAINS and write the words for that temptation under or on the mountains. The children will then draw an outline of a TEMPLE and write some words from that temptation. Make sure children write Jesus' answer from scripture for each temptation.

TEMPTATION PROTECTION: Designate one child (or the teacher) to hold a large poster board that is colored and decorated to look like a Bible. Let the other children take turns throwing a Nerf ball at the child or teacher will who use the Bible to deflect the Nerf balls. Tell the children that the Nerf balls represent temptation and explain that we should use our knowledge of God's Word to protect us from Satan's temptations just as Jesus did.

Since February is Valentine month:

HEART MAILBOX: Bible verses about temptation (Cor. 10:13, Heb. 2:18, James 1: 2-3, James 1:12; I Peter 2:9, Rev. 3:10) should be written on small pieces of paper and handed out to children to read and discuss. The children will then place the verses in a heart-shaped envelope on the bulletin board. Discuss how much JESUS loves us and how it pleases him when we reject temptation.

For younger children, the teacher can simplify this by just having the slips of paper with a temptation that a younger child might experience and say GOD DOES NOT WANT ME TO DISOBEY, or LIE, etc.. and then place that paper in the heart.

HEART CRAFT: Give two hearts cut out of red construction paper to each child. Placed the two hearts together. and punch holes around the outer edge. The children will weave ribbon or yarn in and out of the holes to make a heart envelope to hold Bible verses. (see above activity). Heart-shaped candies could also be placed in the heart.

SING A SONG: THY WORD HAVE I HID IN MY HEART; O BE CAREFUL LITTLE EYES

SNACK TIME: Heart-shaped cookies or candy.

Song:  "Thy Word Have I Hid in My Heart" by E. O. Sellers

Words and Music (pdf)

MP3 Piano Accompaniment Track

Song:  "O Be Careful Little Eyes"

Words and Music (pdf)

MP3 Piano Accompaniment Track