Jesus Is Tempted in the Wilderness: Sunday School Lesson for Ages 6-10
Ages 6-10 · 45 minutes · free lesson plan · Matthew 4:1-11
An interactive 45-minute lesson for ages 6-10 on Matthew 4:1-11. Children hear how Jesus answered each temptation with God's Word, play a verse-ordering game, make a Sword of the Word bookmark, and learn Matthew 4:4.
Memory verse
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Retell the three temptations of Jesus in the wilderness in order.
- Explain that Jesus answered each temptation with God's Word.
- Choose one way to stand strong against temptation this week.
The full lesson plan
Welcome: What Is Temptation? (5 min)
Setup: Place the 3 stones in a basket. Greet each child at the door.
Say: "Good morning! Today we will see what Jesus did when he was tempted."
Say: "Temptation is a pull inside us to do something God does not want."
Quick warm-up (2 min): Ask, "Has anyone ever wanted to peek at a present early?" Let a few children answer. Then say: "Everyone feels pulled to do wrong sometimes. Jesus did too, and he showed us what to do."
Pass the stones around. Say: "Hold one gently, then pass it on. Remember these stones. They are part of our story."
Say: "Now let's hear what happened in the wilderness."
Story: Three Temptations (8 min)
Read or retell Matthew 4:1-11 from the KJV or in simple words. Add the actions below.
Say: "The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." (Hands out, look around.)
Say: "Jesus did not eat for forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry." (Rub tummy.)
Temptation 1: The tempter said, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread." (Hold up a stone.) Jesus answered, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Temptation 2: The devil set Jesus on the highest point of the temple. He said, "Throw yourself down." (Stand on tiptoes.) Jesus answered, "It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God."
Temptation 3: The devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. He said, "I will give you all this if you will bow down and worship me." (Shade eyes, look far.) Jesus said, "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."
Then the devil left, and angels came and took care of Jesus. (Wave arms like wings.)
Background: The wilderness is a dry, empty place.
Say: "Three times Jesus gave the same kind of answer. Let's find out what it was."
Game: Put It in Order and Stand Strong (7 min)
Setup: Write the memory verse in 6 chunks on index cards, one set per team of 3 to 4 children: "But he answered and said," / "It is written," / "Man shall not live by bread alone," / "but by every word" / "that proceedeth" / "out of the mouth of God." Shuffle each set.
Steps:
1. Give each team a set. Teams put the cards in order (3 min). Walk, don't run.
2. Read the verse together twice, once loud and once in a whisper.
3. Stand Strong: the teacher reads a situation. If it is a temptation, children plant their feet, fold their arms and say, "It is written!" Examples: a friend wants you to copy their answers; you are told to wait but want to sneak a treat; someone dares you to say something mean.
4. After each one, ask, "What could we do instead?" Take one quick answer.
5. Finish by standing and saying the verse once more.
Say: "Great job standing strong! Now let's see why Jesus' answers worked."
Teaching: God's Word Is Our Strength (7 min)
Say: "Each time, Jesus answered with 'It is written.' He used God's Word."
Say: "The tempter even used words from Scripture, but Jesus knew God's Word well and used it the right way."
Point out three things:
1. Jesus trusted His Father. He would not turn stones to bread just because he was told to. (Hold up a stone.)
2. Jesus would not test God. He obeyed and trusted God's plan.
3. Jesus worshipped only God. Nothing was worth more than that.
Say: "We can't answer with God's Word if we don't know it. That's why we learn verses."
Gentle gospel link: Say: "We do not always stand strong. Jesus did, every time. Hebrews 4:15 says he was tempted like us, yet without sin. When we do fail, he forgives us if we ask. He is our Savior."
Ask the class: "Where can you hear or read God's Word this week?" (Church, Bible at home, family devotions.)
Say: "Now let's make something to remind us."
Craft: Sword of the Word Bookmark (8 min)
Setup: Pre-cut a blunt sword shape from cardstock for each child. Keep scissors with an adult. Safety: use only blunt paper swords. They are bookmarks, not toys, so no play fighting. Check that no child is eating or handling anything unsafe.
Steps:
1. Give each child a sword shape and markers or crayons.
2. On the blade, write "It is written!" and "Matthew 4:4". Help younger children with spelling.
3. Decorate the handle with colors or patterns.
4. On the back, write one way to stand strong this week (for example, "Tell the truth").
5. Show your sword to a partner and say the verse together.
Say: "Put this bookmark in your Bible or on your desk. When you see it, remember that God's Word helps us."
Say: "Let's talk about what we learned."
Talk It Over (5 min)
Ask these questions. Call on a few children each time.
1. What did Jesus say each time the tempter spoke? ("It is written." He used God's Word.)
2. Why did Jesus trust God instead of doing what the devil said? (He loved and trusted his Father.)
3. What is something that tempts kids your age? (Lying, being unkind, cheating, disobeying.)
4. How can God's Word help you when you are tempted? (It tells us what is right, and it reminds us God is with us.)
Say: "Good thinking, everyone! Let's finish by praying together."
Closing and Prayer (5 min)
Say: "Jesus stood strong, and he helps us stand strong too."
Say the memory verse together with motions: "Man shall not live by bread alone" (hands out like holding bread), "but by every word" (hands open like a book), "that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (point to your mouth, then up).
Prayer: Have the children repeat each line after you:
- "Thank you, Jesus, for standing strong for us."
- "Help us to know your Word."
- "When we are tempted, help us to choose what is right."
- "If we fail, thank you for forgiving us. Amen."
Hand out the take-home page. Say: "Take your sword home and say your verse to someone this week. See you next time!"
Materials
- Bible (KJV)
- 3 smooth stones (larger than a child's fist)
- Index cards (6 per team)
- Markers or crayons
- Cardstock sword shapes, pre-cut, one per child
- Safety scissors (for adult use or for older children)
- Tape
- Small basket for the stones
Teacher notes
- Safety: Keep scissors with an adult, and use blunt paper swords only. Remind children they are bookmarks, not toys. Use stones only when they are too big to swallow, and supervise handling.
- Adaptation: For children who need extra support, use picture cards for the three temptations (stone, temple, mountain). Pair non-readers with a buddy for the verse game. Offer a quieter option, such as coloring the sword, for children who dislike movement.
- Keep to the text: the Bible does not say how the devil appeared or what the voices sounded like, so do not add dramatic details.
- Pacing: If the game runs long, do only 3 Stand Strong situations. Keep the story to 8 minutes so the craft has enough time.
Send it home with parents
Today we learned from Matthew 4:1-11 how Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. Each time, he answered the tempter with God's Word. Children learned that God's Word helps us choose what is right, and that Jesus, who never sinned, is our Savior when we fail.
- What was the hardest thing to say no to this week?
- Which of Jesus' answers in the story do you remember?
- What is one Bible verse we could learn together?
Read Matthew 4:1-11 together at dinner. Take turns saying "It is written!" after each of Jesus' answers. Then say the memory verse as a family with the motions.
Say Matthew 4:4 to a family member or friend once a day. When you feel tempted, stop and say, "It is written," then ask God for help.
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