Bread or stone?
Children's Activity
Object:
Teachers or Parents: The real lesson is on temptation. Most
children (and probably most modern adults as well) would be
intrigued and puzzled with the concept of fasting. In fact,
fasting could easily become the focus instead of the temptations
Jesus encountered. This might provide an entry point in a
discussion that might start like this: "What's so bad about
eating?" (The answer is, of course, "Nothing! It's necessary.")
"Then why would this be a temptation for Jesus?" (In fasting
Jesus had to choose between the good [food] and the best [God]
just as we sometimes have to choose between the good and the
best.) "Can you think of examples of choosing between the good
and the best?" (If the children cannot think of examples, supply
them with some: choosing sleep over going to worship and Sunday
school; spending money on candy instead of putting it in the
offering; spending time with familiar friends instead of reaching
out to a new boy or girl.)
Optional activities might include looking at places in the Bible where people fasted. Ask "Can you think of other people in the Bible who fasted?" (John the Baptist's disciples and the Pharisees [Mark 2:18], the prophet Anna [Luke 2:37], the church at Antioch [Acts 13:2-3], etc.) "Why would anyone give up food for that long?" (Perhaps it was to deliberately give up the good for the best [God].) The class might consider a modified fast to see what it would be like to deliberately give up food to better focus on God.
The lesson is that temptation came to Jesus as it comes to every one of us. We cannot avoid temptation, but we can avoid giving in to temptation -- especially anything that would lead us away from God and the kingdom of God.
Optional activities might include looking at places in the Bible where people fasted. Ask "Can you think of other people in the Bible who fasted?" (John the Baptist's disciples and the Pharisees [Mark 2:18], the prophet Anna [Luke 2:37], the church at Antioch [Acts 13:2-3], etc.) "Why would anyone give up food for that long?" (Perhaps it was to deliberately give up the good for the best [God].) The class might consider a modified fast to see what it would be like to deliberately give up food to better focus on God.
The lesson is that temptation came to Jesus as it comes to every one of us. We cannot avoid temptation, but we can avoid giving in to temptation -- especially anything that would lead us away from God and the kingdom of God.
