Faith Quest

The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus

January 2 – January 30, 2005

Holywood

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-4:11

Memory Verse: Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! Hebrews 4:15 (CEV)

Offering: Hospice of Wake County

Concepts:

1. The spirit of God affirmed that Jesus was the Son of God.

2. Although human, Jesus did not give into temptation – he was obedient to God.

3. Evil exists in the world.

4. Sometimes we are tempted to disobey God.

5. When tempted, we can call on God and turn to God’s word for help.

Objectives:

1. Children will view the video “Jesus, the Son of God”

2. Children will hear about and discuss how Jesus is preparing to begin his ministry by learning from the temple teachers and his parents, being baptized by John, and learning to fight temptation and trust God.

Procedure:

Welcome and Introductions:

1. Greet the children and introduce yourself. Wear your nametag. Make sure the children are wearing nametags. If not, ask the shepherd to supply a temporary badge. Remember you are interacting with a different group of students each week that may not know you.

2. Background for workshop leader: This movie covers Jesus’ young life as a teenager and young man as he is preparing to begin his ministry. In the movie Jesus goes to Jerusalem with his parents and gets separated when he stays in the temple to talk and learn from the teachers there. He also learns carpentry from his father. There is a brief scene showing Jesus being baptized by John in the river, a dove descending and God saying that he is well pleased. Last of all Jesus prays and fasts in the wilderness and is tempted by the devil (evil). The elements are learning about God (from parents and teachers), committing to God (baptism), and trusting God (to keep us from temptation).

3. Devil/Satan/Evil: In the movie the devil appears as a hooded figure. It may be worthwhile to point out that not all evil in this world appears in the form of Satan or the devil.

4. Ask the children: How do children and teenagers prepare to become adults? (go to school, get a job, etc.) What do we do in the church when we are adults? (join church, give to church, become Sunday school teachers, ministers, etc.) How do our parents help us become Christians? (take us to Sunday school, teach us to pray, have us baptized, etc.)

5. Tell the children that Jesus had to learn to become an adult too and that he learned from his parents and teachers in the temple. Explain that this movie is about Jesus’ life from the age of 12 until he starts his ministry teaching the word of God. After he learns from his parents and the temple leaders, he commits himself to God by being baptized. He also prays to God and fasts in the wilderness where he learns to trust in God’s strength and love.

Application:

1. Show the video. It is 30 minutes long.

2. Distribute the popcorn with help from the Shepherds. (Popcorn should be already made.)

3. Sample review questions (you may think of other questions)

How old was Jesus when he went with his family to Jerusalem? 12

What did he take with him? Lamb

What did Jesus’ father teach him? Carpentry

Where was Jesus baptized? River

How does Jesus baptism differ from how babies in our church are baptized? Jesus in river, babies in church with sprinkling of water from baptismal font.

What did Jesus do to keep temptation (the devil) away? He quoted from the Bible.

What are some things we can do if we are tempted to do the wrong thing? read Bible, ask parents, teachers, ministers for help, pray

Reflection Time:

Provide journal activity sheets if time allows. If it is time to dismiss class have prayer time and allow children to take activity sheets with them.

At 10:45 ask the students to close their journals and sit quietly for prayer.

Closing:

Prayer suggestion: Thank you God for giving us your son Jesus who shows us how to love you and follow you. Let us be like Jesus and be able to resist temptation when evil is around us. Amen

Tidy and Dismissal: Ask children to help clean up popcorn before they leave Holywood. Wait until after class to pile up the beanbag chairs. The kids tend to throw them. Wipe out popcorn machine thoroughly, do not use water.

Teacher preparation in advance:

1. Read the scripture passages and attend the Faith Quest Leaders Bible Study.

2. Prepare a closing prayer.

3. Check out the room before your first Sunday workshop so that you know where everything is located.

4. PRACTICE OPERATING THE POPCORN MACHINE.

Supply List

· Video: Jesus, The Son of God. Nest Entertainment

· Activity sheets from Jesus, The son of God.

References

· Curriculum writers notes prepared by Lori Houck August 8, 2004

· Activities and Resource book for Jesus, The Son of God. 1995 Nest Entertainment, Inc.