In this lesson, children learn that Jesus stayed faithful to God when the devil tempted him, and that God’s Word gives us strength to say no too. This lesson works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
Jesus trusted God’s Word when he was tempted, so we can trust God’s Word too. When we are tempted, we can say no like Jesus did.
Memory Verse
Luke 4:4
Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”
(WEB)
Hold your hands in front of your heart, then open them like a book. Say the verse slowly while you move your hands up and down like you are reading a Bible together. Repeat the motion three times so children can picture the book of God’s Word.
The Story: Luke 4 for Kids
Jesus had just been baptized in the Jordan River, and the Holy Spirit filled him. Then the Spirit led him out into a quiet, empty wilderness. Jesus stayed there for forty days, and he did not eat anything during that whole time. Imagine how hungry and tired he must have been.
At the end of forty days, Jesus was very hungry. The devil came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” But Jesus did not use his power to make food for himself. He answered with God’s Word, which tells us that people need God’s words more than they need bread.
The devil tried again. He took Jesus up a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world. He promised, “I will give you all of this if you bow down and worship me.” Jesus said no. He told the devil that we worship God alone, because God alone is worthy of our worship.
The devil then took Jesus to the highest point of the temple in Jerusalem. He said, “Jump down, because God’s angels will catch you.” Once more, Jesus answered with God’s Word. He said that we must not test God. Jesus did not need to prove anything, and he did not need to jump. When the devil had tried every temptation, he left Jesus for a while.
After this, Jesus went home to Galilee full of God’s power. He taught in the synagogues, and people everywhere began to talk about him. Later, in his hometown of Nazareth, he read from the book of the prophet Isaiah and told the people that God’s words were coming true that very day.
Read It Together
Luke 4:1-2
1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. He ate nothing in those days. Afterward, when they were completed, he was hungry.
(WEB)
Point out that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit and was led into the wilderness by God’s Spirit. Ask children to notice that Jesus was not alone in being tempted, and that the devil was the one trying to pull him away from God.
Luke 4:8
Jesus answered him, “Get behind me Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”
(WEB)
Show children that Jesus answered the devil with a clear and simple word, no. Point out that Jesus chose to worship God alone and not to bow down to anything else, even when something looked exciting or powerful.
Luke 4:18-19
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed, 19 and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
(WEB)
Explain that these words come from the prophet Isaiah, and Jesus read them aloud in the synagogue. Tell children that Jesus came to bring good news, help people who are hurting, and show God’s kindness to everyone.
Talk About It
- What did the devil ask Jesus to do first, and why do you think Jesus said no?
- How do you think Jesus felt after forty days without food, and how did he stay strong?
- What is one thing that God’s Word tells us that helps us when we feel tempted?
- Why did Jesus say that we should worship only God, even when someone offers us something good?
- What good news did Jesus say he came to bring to people who were hurting?
Activity Ideas
Paper Bread and Word Stones
You will need paper, crayons, scissors, and glue. Have children draw a round loaf of bread on one piece of paper and a plain gray stone on another. Then help them write or draw one word from God’s Word on the back of the bread. Talk about how God’s words feed us more than food alone does, and let children keep their picture as a reminder.
Say No Like Jesus
You will need a small table and a few pillows or chairs. Set up a simple obstacle course where children move from one place to another. Each time they reach a chair, a teacher calls out a temptation such as “Have a cookie before dinner” or “Skip your chores.” The child must answer with a firm no and then say a short line from God’s Word, such as “People need God’s words.” Keep the game lively and short.
Word in My Pocket
You will need index cards, a marker, and a small envelope or zip bag for each child. Write Luke 4:4 on one card, and have each child copy the words in their own handwriting or decorate the card with stickers. Encourage them to carry the card in a pocket or put it by their bed. At home, ask them to say the verse together at breakfast or bedtime, so God’s Word stays close to their heart.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that Jesus, fully God and fully human, faced real temptation and resisted it by trusting the Father’s Word. The Gospel writer also shows that Jesus began his public ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit, and that his mission of good news for the poor and freedom for the oppressed was clear from the start.
With children, avoid making the devil seem like a silly cartoon character, and do not suggest that resisting temptation is easy or that children will never struggle again. Keep the focus on Jesus’ trust in God and on the hope that God’s Word gives us every day.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank you for being strong when you were tempted and for trusting God’s Word every day. Help us say no to what is wrong and yes to what is good. Fill us with your Word so we can grow strong too. Amen.
