YEA Lesson Library
Triumph Over Temptation
About This Lesson
Using Jesus’ temptation by Satan, this lesson teaches preparing for temptations by reading God’s word, praying for help, and staying close to God.
Note: This lesson emphasizes avoiding sex outside of marriage.
Scriptures
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Joshua 1:7-8
Psalm 19:9-11
Matthew 4:1-11
Luke 4:1-13
John 6:31-35
John 8:31-32
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Hebrews 4:12
2 Peter 2:9
The Lesson
A young high school girl and her date went to their senior prom. When her labor pains became intense, she excused herself, and went into the restroom where she gave birth to a baby. She returned to the prom and requested the band play a song for her boyfriend. Later, the dead baby was found in a plastic bag in the trash can. This high school girl has now been charged with murder.
What could tempt her to do such a thing with a helpless human life? How could she toss her own flesh and blood into a trash can? She thought by disposing of the baby, it would no longer interfere with her life. But did this solve her problem? Being in jail for the murder of your baby is no picnic.
Teenagers live in a world of temptation; everyone does. Jesus was also tempted in every area as we are tempted (Hebrews 4:15). The difference is, He never sinned!
After Jesus’ baptism, Satan stalked Him, determined to find a weakness that would cause Jesus to sin. But Jesus was fully prepared for Satan’s intense concentration on Him.
The Spirit of God led Jesus out into the desert wasteland of Judea. There He could be alone and draw near to His Father in prayer. Jesus fasted; for 40 days He ate nothing. Think about how hungry He must have been. But, food was far down on Jesus’ list of priorities. Being close to His Father, and being able to resist whatever sin came His way was far more important.
Satan thought that in Jesus’ weakened physical condition He would be vulnerable to the temptation of food. Satan said, “If you are God’s Son, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” If you had Jesus’ power, what would you do for something to eat?
Satan tried to appeal to any ego he thought Jesus might have. The double edged temptation of food and power might get Him. But Jesus foiled Satan’s attempt by quoting one Scripture, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Luke 4:4). Satan didn’t realize what a spiritual giant Jesus was. He didn’t realize how important it was to Jesus to completely obey His Father. Jesus wasn’t about to succumb to Satan’s evil tricks.
Satan contrived another plan. He took Jesus to Jerusalem to the roof of the Temple. “Jump off,” he said, “and prove you are the Son of God; for the Scriptures declare, ‘God will send his angels to keep you from harm. . .’ they will prevent you from smashing on the rocks below.” Jesus knew Satan was distorting the Scriptures for his own purpose. Jesus replied, “It also says not to put the Lord your God to a foolish test!”
Finally, Satan took Jesus up to a high mountain where He could see all the nations of the world. Satan said, “I will give you all these magnificent kingdoms with all of the glory that goes with them, if you will only worship me.”
“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “The Scripture says, ‘Worship only the Lord God. Obey only him.’” When Satan realized Jesus would not give in to his temptations, he left and angels came and ministered to Jesus.
These were severe tests, but Jesus stood the test. He knew it was not yet the time or place for these things. He saw a much bigger picture. The Savior of the world must not give in to temptations, but wait for God to give these things to Him. The future reward was far too great to blow it for physical gratification.
God wants you to have far more than what is immediately apparent, he wants to give us “abundant life.” There are some things we must wait for—we must look at the big picture. Jesus gave up a lesser reward for some- thing far greater. Many times we have to give up pleasures or physical gratification in order to obtain a far greater reward at a later time.
What went wrong with the girl who gave birth to a baby in the restroom at the prom? The immediate gratification of sex outside of marriage carries consequences. Often the girl faces the pain of abortion or childbirth. If she decides to do the right thing by having the baby, the suffering and sorrows aren’t over. The emotional decision whether to give the baby up for adoption or care for the child for the next 18 years, usually without support from the father, will not be easy. God never intended a high school girl to have to make this decision.
Jesus had to wait for bread to eat when He was hungry and wait to become ruler of the world for God’s timing. It is God’s idea that you wait until after you are married to have sex. Sex outside of marriage carries consequences, sorrow, suffering, and sin. The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). How can you handle the temptations that come your way? Jesus used Scriptures to fight temptation. Study your Bible daily, it will equip you to resist temptation.
Student Prayer
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Your Son Jesus Christ set us wonderful examples which teach us so many things. He never gave in to temptation. Help me to always remember Christ’s perfect example when I am tempted, and give me the strength to resist sin.
It’s in Jesus’ name that I pray.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday: Joshua 1:7-8
Monday: Psalm 19:9-11
Tuesday: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Wednesday: Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Thursday: John 8:31-32
Friday: John 6:31-35
Saturday: Hebrews 4:12
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Explain what deferred gratification means.
2. Cite three things they can do to defeat temptation when it arises.
3. Explain that sex outside of marriage has consequences for boys and girls.
Topics & Themes
Bible Study
Consequences
Fasting
Jesus, Without Sin
Obedience
Prayer
Reward
Sin
Temptation
Temptation by Satan
Ten Commandments
Murder
Wisdom
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA students and teacher’s books, 3 x 5 cards, candy, Scotch tape, pencils, chalkboard or newspaper pad, marker or chalk, music player, CD/cassette tape and songbooks
How to Teach This Lesson
By sequentially following the questions laid out below, you will be well equipped to stay on track, complete every section and meet the objectives of this lesson.
In your lesson a story was told about a high school girl giving birth to her baby in the restroom at the prom and returning to the dance floor requesting a song be played for her boyfriend. Who would like to tell us 16 how you felt when you read that story?
How do you feel about a poor helpless baby being dumped in a trash can and left to die? Why do you feel that way? Was that baby less of a human than the girl who gave birth to it? Was its life just as important to God? Why do you think she chose this course of action?
How did she get herself into this mess? What are the things she did that were wrong? List them on the chalkboard as the students give them. These answers should include sex before marriage, not marrying the father so that she could provide a family for the baby, going to the prom when the baby’s birth was imminent, not calling for help to deliver and take care of the baby, returning to the dance floor when she and her baby should have been taken to the hospital, throwing the baby in the trash can.
How many people were affected by the irresponsible actions of the father of this baby and this girl? List these on the board as the students give them to you. The list should include the girl, the father, her boyfriend, the baby, her parents, his parents, the parents of her date and everyone at the prom and in her school.
How long do you think this boy’s and girl’s actions will affect other people? Do you think it was worth it to give in to temptation?
How do you think Jesus would have handled this temptation?
Can you think of a Scripture that promises you that God will always provide a way for you to escape temptation? Ask one of the students to read 1 Corinthians 10:13 aloud.
What must you do when you are tempted? Look for a way out and remove yourself from the scene immediately.
Jesus quoted a Scripture to Satan every time he tempted Him. What other things are noteworthy in those encounters? Jesus was decisive, He didn’t argue with Satan, He acted immediately. Write these on the board.
What does this tell you about what you should do that can prevent you from sinning? It gives you a plan that worked for Jesus and it will work for you.
Can you think of a sin that carries no consequences? No! All sins that are not repented of require the death penalty. What part does impatience play in yielding to a temptation? We’re inclined to want everything now rather than waiting for God’s time.
What difference would it have made if this teenage couple had deferred their gratification until it was legal and right in God’s sight? Their baby could have lived and been brought up in a family. She would not have gone to jail. So many people would not have been hurt because of what this couple did.
What temptation have you ever had that compares with Jesus being offered bread when He was extremely hungry? Have you been offered power over every nation in the world? Jesus was. Have you been tempted to jump off the Temple, as Jesus was, to prove that He was the Son of God? These are very big tests and Jesus passed with flying colors.
What steps can you take to ensure that you will stand each test when you are tempted? Follow the three steps that Jesus followed.
Teacher-Directed Activity
Give each student a pencil, 3 x 5 card and a piece of candy. Tell them that they are not to eat the candy you gave them. Ask four students to read aloud, each of the following Scriptures: Matthew 22:37; Matthew 26:41; I Corinthians 10:13; James 1:2-4.
After each student reads the scripture assigned to him, discuss what you can learn about temptation from the Scripture. On the card given to them, have the kids draw a picture of something that really tempts them. Discuss these temptations. Now ask the students to write on their card, the Scripture references for the verses which were read to them, and tape the piece of candy to it.
The students can keep their cards as a reminder, when they are tempted. Reward your class for not yielding to the temptation to eat their candy by giving them another piece of candy they can eat.
REACH Activity
Memory Verse Spotlight
Focus on the word “deliver” and “deliverer.” Look up the meaning of “deliver,” both Hebrew and Greek. Find two Scriptures for each word. Share the Scriptures and discuss the context in which they were used.
Where in the World?
Using Bible maps, locate the area that was considered the desert wasteland of Judea. Explain why it was called a “wasteland.” What is that area called today?
They Did What Back Then?
After Satan tempted Jesus three times, he left and angels came to minister to Jesus. What does it mean “to minister”? From Scripture, find the purpose of angels and at least two references to Jesus and angels. Share your findings with others.
Making It Mine
The activity in the YEA book tells you to read your Bible and pray to help you avoid temptation. These are two very good tools for avoiding temptation. In addition, there are a few other things you can do:
1. Choose the right people to be around. Choose people you trust to do the right thing and to hold you accountable to do the right thing.
2. Stay away from people who will get you into trouble. Is there someone you really like who is not a good influence? It would be wise to only be around that person when they can’t get you into trouble.
3. Flee: If you get into a situation where you are tempted to do the wrong thing, get as far away from the situation as fast as you can. Can you think of someone in the Bible who fled? (Hint: His story is in Genesis.)
4. Prayer: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to pray continually. Remember that God wants you to seek Him. Max Lucado says, “Pray always. Sometimes use words.”
5. Bible study: Psalm 119 outlines how God’s Law makes you wiser than your enemies. Satan is an enemy who would love to devour you, steal your joy, and cause you to stumble in your relationship with God. Don’t let Satan win.
Think about your life and what changes you might need to make to avoid temptation. Write a plan in your Bible notebook to help you implement the changes.
Worldview Collisions (see introductory information for an explanation)
A biblical worldview says that abortion is murder. A secular worldview says that a woman has the right to decide what is right for her body. What Scriptures can you find to support or refute these two opposing views? Write a paragraph stating your beliefs about abortion. Use Scriptures to support your beliefs.
Questions
As you’re working through the YEA lesson, Daily Devotionals, doing the activity, or reading the Bible, be sure to write down any questions you have. That way you’ll remember to ask someone. Also remember to share the really interesting things you’re learning with family and friends.
Song
“More Precious Than Silver” is on page 25 of The Group Songbook.
Closing Prayer
Ask one of the students to lead in prayer.
Printable Pages
