Big Idea: I can do what the Bible says.
Bible Basis: Matthew 4:1-11
Key Verse: “Don’t just listen (cup hands to ears and shake head “no”) to the word (extend hands like you’re holding a book)…you must do what it says (march in place).” James 1:22 (extend hands like you’re holding a book).
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through your Word to me draw near. Let me your Word ever pure retain; Let me your child and heir remain. All this I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
BIBLE LESSON VIDEO
ASK THESE QUESTIONS:
What is your favorite part of this Bible lesson?
What did you learn about Jesus in today’s true Bible story?
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Choose one (or more) of these activities to do with your child.
+ Book Nook
- Supplies: Fictional children’s picture book (1), Bible
- Directions: Gather children around and read them a story from a fictional children’s picture book. When finished, ask the children if the story was true or not true. Next, ask them how they know that.
- Say: The story we read is NOT true! That means it didn’t really happen. In a little bit, we’re going to read a story from another book called the Bible. (Hold up Bible.) Are the stories in the Bible true or not true? (Children answer.) That’s right! The Bible is God’s Word and all of God’s words are true. Everything in the Bible really happened.
- Question: Do you have a favorite true story from the Bible? What is it?
+ Hop To It (Application Activity)
- Supplies: None
- Say: In today’s Bible story, Jesus was tempted to do the wrong thing, but He said, “No, no, no! The Bible says not to.” We can also say no to temptation. Let’s play a game to help us say “no” to temptation.
- Directions: Have the children line up against the wall on one side of the room. Read the statements from the list below one at a time. If it’s something the Bible says to do, the children should take one hop forward and say, “Yes, yes yes! The Bible is the best!” If it’s a temptation, the children should stay put and say, “No, no, no! The Bible says not to!” Continue until all of the statements have been read and/or the children have reached the other side of the room.
- Statements:
- I can tell my friends about Jesus.
- I can call my brother a mean name.
- I can share my toys with my sister.
- I can tell my dad a lie.
- I can obey my mom and dad.
- I can tell the truth when it’s hard.
- I can push people when they’re in my way.
- I can yell at my mom when I’m angry.
- I can sing praises to Jesus.
- I can do what the Bible tells me.
+ My Bible Bookmark (Application Activity)
- Supplies: Bible stickers (7 per child), Bible bookmark (1 per child), markers or crayons
- Preparations: Print the Bible stickers on Avery® 1-inch diameter, white, round labels (6450). Cut the label sheets into strips with 7 stickers per strip.
- Say: Today we learned that we can do what the Bible says, but we can’t know what the Bible says if we don’t read it. Let’s make a bookmark that helps us read the Bible this week.
- Directions: Give each child a bookmark and a strip of 7 stickers. Each sticker will have a picture of the Bible. Give the children a few minutes to color the Bible stickers. While they’re coloring, challenge the children to read their Bible one time every day for the next 7 days. Tell them to ask their parents for help. Each day, after they read their Bible, they can remove one of the stickers and place it on the bookmark. When the children are finished coloring, open a children’s Bible and read a story to them. They can choose the Bible story, or you can choose for them. Afterwards, have the children remove the first sticker and place it on the correct day of the bookmark. Encourage them to continue doing this for the rest of the week.
- Question: : Do you ever read your Bible at home? Where do you read it? When do you read it?
+ In the Wild (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Supplies: Dice
- Today's Bible Verse: “Don’t just listen (cup hands to ears and shake head “no”) to the word (extend hands like you’re holding a book) …you must do what it says (march in place).” James 1:22 (extend hands like you’re holding a book).
- Directions: Practice the Bible verse together until the children can remember it. When ready, tell the children they’re going to say the Bible verse while pretending to be animals from around the world. Allow the children to take turns rolling the dice, then recite the Bible verse while performing the corresponding animal action below. (Note: they do not have to do the hand motions while performing the animal actions.)
- Animal Actions:
- Scurry like Topher the Gopher.
- Hop around like Freddy the Frog.
- Swim in a circle like Franny Fish.
- Slither on the ground like Jake the Snake.
- Run in place like Jasmin the Jaguar.
- Choose your own animal movement.
+ Topher's Zoo Time Adventure! (Bible Story Review Activity)
- Supplies: Zoo Time game board (1 per group), Topher game piece cutout (1 per group), Zoo Time Adventure cards (1 set per group)
- Preparations: Print the game board, Topher game piece, and Zoo Time Adventure cards on cardstock paper. Cut out the Topher game piece and cut apart the 7 Zoo Time Adventure cards.
- Directions: Tell the children the object of the game is to help Topher the Gopher get to his friends at the zoo. Place the Topher game piece at the starting point. Place the Zoo Time Adventure cards face down in a pile. Allow the children to take turns drawing a card. Read the card aloud, then after the children answer the question or perform the action, allow them to move Topher the number of spaces indicated on the card. Continue playing until Topher has reached his zoo.
+ My Friends (Response to God Activity)
- Supplies: GO! Home Guide (1 per child), markers or crayons
- Directions: Give each child a GO! Home Guide and some crayons or markers. The sheet will have a space for children to draw. Tell the children to draw a picture of the Bible. While they’re drawing, ask the children what they like best about the Bible.
- Say: The Bible is God’s word to us and we can do what the Bible says. Let’s say a prayer to God. We can thank Him for giving us the Bible and tell Him what we love best about it.
- Prayer: Begin by asking if any of the children would like to pray. Allow any children who want to pray the opportunity to do so. When they’re finished, close the prayer by telling God what you love best about the Bible and thanking Him for giving us His Word.
+ Coloring Sheet (GO! Deeper Activity)
- Supplies: Bible story coloring sheet, markers or crayons
- Directions: Give each child a Bible story coloring sheet and some crayons or markers. While the children are coloring, give them a snack to eat and ask the following questions to help them go deeper into the story.
- Question: What did you learn about Jesus in today’s true Bible story?
- Question: How do you think Jesus was able to say “no” every time He was tempted to do the wrong thing? Could you have done that?
(Due to copyright restrictions, the printable materials described in the activities above are only available to those who have registered for Our Savior’s Kids. To register your child(ren), click the button below)
CLOSING PRAYER
Dear God, Sometimes I’m tempted… To do the wrong thing. Help me say “no” to temptation, And do what the Bible says. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read the account of Jesus’ Temptation in your child’s favorite Bible storybook.
Say this week’s Bible verse every morning with the actions (see above).
Read the account of Jesus’ Temptation from the Bible in Matthew 4 with your child.
Do more of the activities above!
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!