Heart Prep:
This Sunday, we learn when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. Though Jesus had the means to flee from the temptation He faced, He remained dependent upon His Father, showing us what it means to endure. It is in the testing of our faith and through our reliance upon His Spirit that Christians are constantly being made into the image of the Savior. It is not through our obedience and good works that we receive a righteous standing before God; rather, it is by grace through faith in the only righteous One, Jesus, that we are credited with Jesus’ perfect life. As you teach the kids in your church this week, emphasize that we cannot obey our way into salvation. Instead, we must place our faith in the only One who has been tempted yet remains sinless. Lead boys and girls to see that faith in Jesus is the only way to receive and experience everlasting life.
Message:
After Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, the Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted by the devil. Jesus didn’t have anything to eat, and when the 40 days were over, He was very hungry. The devil said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” But Jesus answered him by quoting the Old Testament, saying, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” The devil also took Jesus up on a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world. The devil said, “I will give you authority over all these kingdoms if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus again answered with words from the Old Testament, saying, “It is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” So, the devil took Jesus to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the very top of the temple. The devil said to Jesus, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here. For it is written: “He will tell his angels to protect you, and they will support you with their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Jesus again responded with Scripture, saying, “It is said: Do not test the Lord your God.” After the devil had finished every temptation, he left Jesus for a time. Angels came and began to serve Jesus. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit, and news about Him spread everywhere. Like us, Jesus experienced temptation. But unlike us, Jesus never sinned. When we repent and believe Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins and rose again, God credits us with Jesus’ perfect life.
Main Point:
Jesus lived a life full of temptations and hardships just like we do, but He did not sin. He overcame those temptations, proving that He is the Lamb of God, the only perfect sacrifice sufficient to take on and conquer the penalty for our sin.
Discussion:
What does it mean to test the Lord?
Explain to kids that testing God means questioning His authority and lordship by failing to trust what He has said in His Word. Share that the Bible specifically commands us not to test God, just as Jesus reminded the devil. (Option: Choose a volunteer to read Deuteronomy 6:16-17.)
Why did the devil offer Jesus all the kingdoms of the world? Don’t they belong to God?
Remind the kids that the devil was lying by offering Jesus a shortcut to His reign in God’s kingdom. While the devil has some rule over the world, His power is confined to what God allows, and the devil was ultimately defeated by Christ’s death and resurrection. (Option: Choose a volunteer to read Colossians 1:16.)
How can we know God’s Word better?
Share that knowing God’s Word starts with reading it every day. Encourage kids to start reading their Bibles with the help of their parents and leaders. Invite them to ask questions and seek help when they come across passages or verses they don’t understand. God promises to give wisdom when we seek it. (Option: Choose a volunteer to read James 1:5.)
