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(WT) Temptation of Jesus ~ Cooking & Writing Workshop

Rotation.org Writing Team

The Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness

a  "Writing with Food"
Cooking and Creative Writing Workshop 

Summary of Activities

Taking our cue from Jesus who responds three times to The Tempter with the words, "It is written," students will use "piped" edible words and Word! to remember and reflect on this story.

Use a decorating technique, students write the edible words with a decorator's "piping" bag that's filled with melted "candy melts." The words harden after several minutes in the freezer. 

bakers-melts

Scripture for the Lesson

Matthew 4:1-11

Key/Memory Verse:  "It is written...."

Lesson Objectives

See the Bible Background at rotation.org for this set's complete list of objectives and additional teachable content. 

Preparation and Materials

  • Read the Bible Background and scripture.
  • Bibles (an actual translation, not a storybook version).
  • Styrofoam plates, two for each student.
  • A selection of decorators' candy melts (see picture and source info below).
  • Decorators' "piping bags" (the disposable kind).
  • A microwave to do the initial melting of the candies in their piping bags.
  • A large bowl and source of very warm water to keep the piping bags pliable when not in use.
  • Non-toxic Sharpie permanent fine-tip pens.
  • Access to a cold freezer.
  • Read "How to Melt Candy Melts" at the end of this lesson.
  • Recruit helpers, one to do initial melting and additional helpers working the logistics of the piping so that the teacher is free to ask questions.

    See the "Lesson Overview Notes" for the "two plate" suggestion and possible sharing of the second plate with others.

We're using decorators' candy melts instead of icing or chocolate and here's why. Candy melts are designed to melt at low temperature, and are thus safer and easier to work with than working with hot chocolate. They can be made more viscous simply by putting the piping bag in a bowl of warm water. Once piped, the melts quickly re-solidify in the freezer. They also come in many colors.  See additional notes at the end of this lesson.

We're using decorators' "piping bags" instead of cheap sandwich bags, and here's why. The shape of plastic piping bags makes them easier to hold and write with. The thickness of the plastic piping bag makes the hole you cut in them more durable under pressure. 

We're using Styrofoam plates instead of paper plates to pipe the writing onto, and here's why. Ingredients in the candy melts would stick to paper, and can stick to wax paper as well. Plates are easier to handle as well.



Lesson Plan

Lesson Notes: This lesson suggests a two-part "writing" activity, one to remember what Jesus said, and the second to reflect on the story's meaning for us. Because of the excitement of writing with "icing" (candy melts in piping bags), doing them at the same time will likely result in confusion and missed opportunities. Separating the two writing activities gives the teacher and students the opportunity to shift gears.  

By doing two separate plates, you can let the first one solidify in the freezer while you work on the second one. You will eat the first plate in class, and take the second home or perhaps share the second plate outside of class. Depending on your Sunday morning schedule, the second "reflection" plate could be a fellowship treat for the congregation.

Those young children who cannot read, CAN trace letter shapes you've drawn on their plates, and remember what their letters/words say. The hands-on and tasty aspects of this lesson will cement those ideas in their thoughts. Sharpie fine-tip markers will write on the Styrofoam and are certified non-toxic.

Open

Welcome students and tell them how today's lesson will unfold. Explain that they will be writing words with melted candy —which a volunteer (is preparing out of sight and) will bring into the classroom in a few minutes.

Distribute Bibles and open them to Matthew 4:1-11.

Say:  In today's scripture, three times Jesus is going to answer the Devil's temptation by saying, "It is written."  When you hear him say it, I want you to quickly shout the word, "WORD!" before we continue on with what Jesus has to say.  "WORD!" is fun and short-hand way of saying, "That's God's Word" in a way that means, "I believe it! That's the truth! Listen up!"   It's sort of like saying "amen" when you agree with someone.

Say: Let's practice saying "Word!" Ready?   Jesus says, it is written... WORD! (do this three times).    

Say: That's not only fun, but it reminds us that Jesus was prepared WITH SCRIPTURES to reject temptation. That's why we study the Bible, because Jesus did! ...and it helped him remember what's right and what's wrong.

Read Matthew 4:1-11.

Suggestion: Have the kids read all of Jesus' lines. You read all of Satan's lines very dramatically. 

Following the reading, quickly "sum up" what the three temptations were all about. You'll have more time during the 'writing' to elaborate on these points.

Jesus was tempted with:

  • using his power to take care of his own needs.
  • using his powers to impress people's eyes instead of their hearts.
  • choosing fame and wealth over worshiping and serving God.

 Write these on the board as a reference for the following activity.

Plate 1: Write the Word

Give each student a Styrofoam plate and put the warmed piping bags on the table. Demonstrate how the bags work. Explain that after writing, they will "harden" their first plate of candy words in the freezer, while they work on a second plate.

Say: On your plate, I want you to write two things:

First, I want you to look at Satan's three temptation and write in just two or three words what he was trying to tempt Jesus to do. Try to sum them all up.  (refer to the words you wrote on the board after reading the scripture. You may add additional words of explanation. For example, you may write, "The temptations were about choosing self or choosing God. Right vs wrong. Being good or being popular." 

Second, I want you to boldly write the word "WORD!"  and something like the phrase, "Listen to God." 

Tip: "Writing time" is a good time to slip in observations and questions about the story. See the Bible Background for thoughts, as well as the notes at the end of this lesson. Don't forget to have the children explain why they chose certain words. Have helpers working the logistics of the piping so that the teacher is free to ask questions.

A few extra questions to slip in to the conversation...
(These could be put on index cards and handed to key students to read and answer during the activity.)

1. Jesus was led into the wilderness. Have you ever been in the wilderness?  Where do you go to be by yourself and think important thoughts?

2. Jesus quotes the Bible to reject temptation. How well do you know the Bible? How could you get to know it better?  (Writing and eating it will help!)

3. Did you notice that Jesus STRONGLY rejected temptation? Be sure your written word "Word!" reflects that strength.  To resist temptations, we must be strong —strong in our faith, and strong in the knowledge of God's Word.  Name something you do to help yourself and others do right instead of wrong.

word

Piping Tip:  The thicker and more connected your letters, the better they will hold together when they come out of the freezer and are picked up off the plate. 

Place your Word Plates in the freezer and move on to the next step.

Plate 2: Write the Reflection

This plate writing activity also has two things to write, sin people are tempted by, and an encouragement to reject that sin. The encouragement gets written over the top of the sin. As you develop these two sets of words, write them on the board for all to see.

The first is a word or short phrase that describes a sin that many people are tempted to commit. Greed. Being mean, selfish, lazy. Hate. Ignoring God. Unforgiving. Have the kids help you create this list of temptations, then let them pick which word or words they want to "pipe" onto their plate.

plate-writing1

After each has "piped" their first word, invite them to add this second word OVER THE TOP of the sin in a contrasting color --saying:

I want you to imagine that someone you don't know is going to see your temptation-word plate and what you are about to add to it. I want you to write an encouragement —something Jesus might say to them to help them resist that temptation. Let's think of a few possible responses to each of the sins you wrote on your plate. Over "unforgiving" you might write, "Forgive."  Over "hate," you might write, "Love."  Over "greed" you might write, "Give."   Look at the list of sins they created and supplement as needed.

Closing

Remove the "Word Plates" from the freezer and put the "Reflection Plates" in the freezer for about 5 minutes or so. While they are setting. enjoy eating your Word Plates and finish discussing the story of Jesus' Temptation. 

Summary to Share:

Jesus resisted making the wrong choices by remembering what God's Word says is the right choice!  When tempted to make bread to satisfy his hunger, he rejected the temptation to use his power for himself. He quoted scripture to remind himself about the right choice to make.  When tempted to be a "show off" and hope God would save him from falling, he remembered the scripture that says not to test God like that.  When tempted with all the kingdoms and wealth of the world if he would reject God, he remembered the scripture which says "worship only God."

This is why we study the Bible, to help us make the right choices. And that's why we're eating the Word today!  ...to remember that the Word is tasty and good for us, and can strengthen our souls.

Note: The "summary" can be shared during the cooking/writing project as well. Use the summary as a guide. 

After ending with prayer, retrieve your "Reflection Plate" from the freezer. Cover with foil to go home or be shared.




Adaptations

For Younger Students, have a helper with a fine-tip sharpie write the child's word on the plate, then have the child trace the word with their piped candy.

Supply Sources & Tips

meltsMerckens Candy Melts are the baker's choice. They have a low melting point and flow easily. You can use other brand candy melts, but may get consistency and hardening issues. Merckens are sold online at places like Candy Land Crafts, and in baking supply stores. We noticed a wide range of prices and color availability. 

Do not buy white candies and add food coloring. The amount of food coloring needed will also create candy that stains. Buy two or three colors of candy. 

Use a rubberband to seal the top of the piping bag before melting in the microwave. A twist tie will get too hot. Snip the end off the bag after heating.

Alternately, you can heat the candy melts in a separate dish, then spoon into the piping bags for use. You can also slip in a decorating tip in the end of the bag if you want to, but a small hole will work just as well for our purposes. 

Freezer Time:  It takes about 10 minutes in the freezer for the candy to harden after being warmed and written with. 

How to Melt Candy Melts

The "in the piping bag" microwave method:  Fill your piping bag about 3/4 full of desired candies, loosely tie at the top (to let air escape), and microwave in 30-60 second intervals at HALF power. In-between intervals,  squoosh the candies around inside the bag to break up lumps. The candy should never get very hot, just warm, and should be kept "body heat warm" in a warm bowl of water until ready for use. In this way, you can prepare several bags of melted candy for your students. When ready for use, tighten the seal on the top of the bag and snip a hole for candy ribbon to escape.  If the candy starts to solidify, warm again.

Alternately, you can heat them in the microwave using a pyrex measuring cup, or put them in a double boiler on VERY low heat, then spoon the warm melted liquid into the bag. 

If your brand of candy melts are too thick, add a dash of vegetable oil or shortening inside the bag and mix. Be careful not to add too much or your candy will not set.


Written by the Rotation.org Writing Team
Copyright 2016, Rotation.org Inc.

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Last edited by Neil MacQueen
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