Joyful Moments in Christ

Jesus Says No to Temptation: Trusting God’s Word in the Wilderness

This Sunday School lesson is intended for upper elementary students. All lessons on this website are protected by copyright, but you can use them for free in small groups or Sunday School classes. You may share a link to this page, but please do not copy these pages and put them on other websites.

The Big Idea

Jesus resisted temptation by relying on Scripture, and we can learn to trust God’s Word when we are tempted too.

Lesson Objectives

1. Understand that Jesus was truly tempted and yet remained without sin.
2. Recognize that Jesus trusted God’s Word in every temptation.
3. Learn that the devil is real but not stronger than God.
4. Discover how Scripture helps us stand firm when we are tempted.

Class Setting Notes

1. Recommended for upper elementary Sunday School.
2. Lesson length: 45–60 minutes. Can be shortened or extended based on activities selected.

Opening Activity

Temptation Choices

1. Write several simple scenarios on slips of paper where a child might face a temptation (e.g., “Your sibling breaks your toy. What do you do?”).
2. Have students take turns drawing a slip and acting out a response that honors God.
3. Discuss each one briefly.

This activity helps introduce the idea that we face real choices every day and can choose to honor God.

Bible Reading

Ask the class to read Luke 4:1–13 aloud together or have one person read it.

• Very Easy: Easy-to-Read Version: Luke 4:1-13 (ERV)
• Very Easy: New International Reader’s Version: Luke 4:1-13 (NIRV)
• Easy: Good News Translation: Luke 4:1-13 (GNT)
• Medium: New Living Translation: Luke 4:1-13 (NLT)
• Hard: New International Version: Luke 4:1-13 (NIV)
• Very Hard: English Standard Version: Luke 4:1-13 (ESV)

Additional Reading: Choosing the Right Bible Translation: A Comparison of 7 Versions

Suggested prompts:

As the class reads aloud, consider asking some of these prompts:

1. What stands out to you about how Jesus responded to the devil?
2. What do you notice about the way Jesus used Scripture?
3. Why might it matter that Jesus was tempted just like we are?
4. How does this passage show Jesus’ trust in God?

Teacher Background Notes

1. This passage takes place immediately after Jesus’ baptism, where he was declared God’s beloved Son (Luke 3:22).
2. The Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days—a time of testing that echoes Israel’s 40 years in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 8:2–3).
3. Each of Jesus’ responses to temptation comes from the book of Deuteronomy, showing his deep knowledge of and trust in God’s Word.
4. Jesus, the true and better Adam and the true Israel, stands firm where others failed.
5. The devil is a personal, spiritual being who opposes God and seeks to lead people into sin.

Theological Insights

1. Jesus is both fully God and fully man; he experienced real temptation but never sinned.
2. Jesus’ victory in the wilderness points to his obedience as the second Adam, who would go on to obey even to the point of death (Romans 5:19).
3. God’s Word is a powerful and sufficient weapon against temptation.
4. Jesus relied on Scripture, not miraculous power, to fight temptation, showing us how to live by faith.
5. Satan is a real enemy, but he cannot overpower those who belong to Christ.

Discussion Questions

Understanding the Text

1. Where did the Holy Spirit lead Jesus after his baptism?
2. What was Jesus doing for forty days in the wilderness?
3. What were the three temptations the devil used?
4. How did Jesus respond to each one?
5. What does this show us about Jesus’ character and mission?

Personal Reflection and Application

1. Have you ever faced a temptation to do something you knew was wrong? What did you do?
2. How can Scripture help you when you are tempted?
3. Why is it comforting to know that Jesus understands our struggles?
4. What is one verse you can memorize to help you trust God this week?

Suggested Activities

Scripture Sword Drill

1. Write out the three Scripture verses Jesus used (Luke 4:4, 8, 12) on index cards.
2. Hide them around the room like a treasure hunt.
3. Have students search, read aloud, and match them to the temptations Jesus faced.

This activity helps students see that Scripture is a powerful tool in spiritual battles.

“Jesus Said No” Craft

1. Provide cardstock, markers, and scissors.
2. Have students create a small “shield” or “sword” with a verse from today’s passage written on it.
3. Encourage them to decorate and take it home as a reminder.

This activity helps children remember that God’s Word protects and strengthens us.

Role-Play Temptations

1. Present modern-day scenarios where children might be tempted (e.g., lying, disobeying parents, being unkind).
2. Invite small groups to act out both a wrong choice and a godly response.
3. Discuss what helped the character say no in each case.

This activity helps students practice applying Scripture to real-life situations.

Memory Verse

And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’”

Luke 4:8 (ESV)

Closing Prayer

Father,

Thank you for giving us your Word and for showing us how Jesus stood firm when he was tempted. Help us to trust you when we face hard choices and to remember that your Word gives us strength.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The ESL Version

I also create materials for adult English Language Learners (ELLs) and ESL students. You can find my ELL Bible Study based on Luke 4:1-13 here:

ELL Bible Study: Luke 4:1-13 — Jesus Is Tempted

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English Standard Version (ESV): Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.