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The story of Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness is found in Matthew 4:1–11, Mark 1:12–13,  and Luke 4:1–13. In addition to this public forum of lessons and ideas, supporting members can view the Writing Team's creative set of lessons on The Temptation of Jesus. Its lesson summaries and Bible background are open to all.

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Temptation of Jesus

Art Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Kids will make a "Wax Resist" painting by first drawing with white crayon objects and scenes from the passage as you tell the story and discuss it. Then, after the story is finished they will apply watercolors to make their illustrations be "revealed." The watercolors become a metaphor for "understanding" and being inspired by the story --making it come alive and mean something to our faith and lives.

Scripture Reference:

Matthew 4: 1-11
Also found in Mark 1:12-13 and Luke 4:1-13


Leader Preparation:

  • Fill a bowl and a water pitcher with water.
  • Also in advance each week, pour a small amount of dishwashing detergent in a small cup.
  • Gather the materials.
  • Read the scripture ahead of time.

Supplies List:

  • white crayons
  • some crayola water color trays and brushes
  • and heavy white paper roughly 8x14.
  • dishwashing detergent


Presentation

Opening-Welcome and Lesson Introduction:

Welcome kids warmly to your workshop. Introduce yourself and tell them one thing about yourself that will make them say “Wow!”.

Say: After Jesus’ baptism, Jesus was led to the desert by the Holy Spirit. In some translations it’s called the wilderness. Jesus was there for 40 days and nights with no food.

Accept all answers when you ask the following “I wonder” questions:

I wonder … what is a desert like?
I wonder … do you think Jesus was hungry after 40 days in the desert with no food?
I wonder … why would Jesus want to go to the desert?
I wonder … what kind of things do you think Jesus thought about all by himself in the desert?

For 2nd/3rd grade and 4th/5th grade, have them get Bibles (share with a partner if not enough) and find Matthew 4:1-12. The K/1st grade group you will just read to them from the Bible.

Dig-Main Content and Reflection:

Drawing Project

Now.... Give each child a piece of water color paper.

Have them write their name on the paper in pencil. Then turn over the paper and hand each of them a white crayon. With the white crayon, have them divide the paper into 4 squares by drawing one line across the page and one line down the paper. Tell them that they will be able to see the lines … later!

Read verses 1- 3 together (or aloud to the K/1st).

Ask:

  • Why would turning stones to bread be a temptation for Jesus right now? (he’s hungry and has been 40 days without food)

Read Jesus’ reply: verse 4

Ask:

  • What do you think this means?
  • What are some things you depend on God for?
  • What does it take to depend on God?

Say: What are 2 symbols (things to help you remember) this part of the story? (rock and bread).

DRAW a picture of a rock and bread on the white board. Write the word TRUST near them. Encourage the kids to do the same on their paper in one of the squares using the white crayon, using the same symbols or something else to help them remember we should trust God and have faith that he will give us what we need.

Remind them they will not be able to see the picture they’ve drawn … yet.

Read verses 5-6 together.

Ask:

  • What is the devil trying to make Jesus do? (jump off a high place)
  • For what reason? (to prove that he is the Son of God)
  • For what reasons might this be a temptation for Jesus?


Review Jesus’ reply in verse 7.

Ask:

  • What do you think Jesus is trying to say when he refuses to jump? (that he does not need to prove who he is, or that God would save him, or that he has special power)


Say: We can be tempted to test God, too, by trying to make God do what we want. Here are some ways we might try to do that ….

Please God, I know I didn’t study for this test, but I won’t get to watch t.v. all next week if I don’t make at least a B on it. Help me pass!

Please God, let me get this one special toy for my birthday. If you do, I promise I will read my Bible just as much as I play with the new toy!

Please God, my cat got hit by a car. The vet is trying to help him, but things don’t look so good. If you make him well, I promise I’ll never tease my little brother again!

Please God, don’t let my mom find out that I broke her vase. I promise I’ll never play football in the house again or run or slam a door or anything just as long as I don’t get in trouble for this.

Please God, help my team win this game so that we can play in the championships.

Please God, make Sally trip in the lunchroom and fall with her tray and make a fool of herself. She has been spreading rumors about me and I want to get revenge!

Ask: What symbol could we use to remember this part of the story? (something to symbolize test --- or the word TEST with a line through it?)
Draw a picture of it on the white board and write “do not test” near it.

Check for understanding with this, then tell kids to add this symbol or another and/or words to remind them not to test God in another square on their paper.

READ verses 8-9.

Ask:

  • What is it that the devil is offering Jesus? (power over the world; riches; authority)
  • Can you think of some reasons why this might be a temptation for Jesus?
  • What is it that the devil wants Jesus to do to get this power? (worship him)

Look at Jesus’ response: read verse 7.

Ask:

  • Do you remember hearing something like this before: “Worship no gods but Me.” It’s the first commandment of the 10 commandments. God’s rules for our lives.

Say in your own words:
To worship the devil would mean having something more important than God,
Jesus knew that was wrong. It is still wrong today, but there are many temptations in the world to worship other things. Maybe not worship in the sense of praying to them like God or going to church to worship them, but worshipping them by giving them priority in your life - making them more important than God.

For instance, what are some “things” in your life that you really, really like/collect/etc.

Ask:

  • What other things, either in your life, or in other people’s lives do people seem at least tempted to worship?

What is a symbol we could use for this? (ideas might include an “idol”, money, etc.) Draw a picture of it in another box on your paper.

Ask:

  • What are some things that kids your age are tempted with? (teasing other kids, gossip, fighting with siblings, using bad words, not obeying parents, etc.)

Draw something in the last square that YOU are tempted with.

Resisting Temptation Demonstration:

Say: I have a fun experiment to show you.

Bring out the bowl of water, have kids gather around. Show by example going first and do 1 or 2 shakes of pepper into the water and at the same time name the temptation you have.

Pass the pepper-shaker to one of the kids and have them do the same, continue passing it around the circle till each child has named their temptation. (NOTE: don’t press kids into sharing aloud, although you should try to encourage it. Kids can shake and name their temptation to themselves if necessary.)

Once everyone has had a turn, have the kids note how the “temptations” have covered the water.

Say: In the Bible in 1 Corinthians 10:13 it says:

”Every temptation that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to remain firm. At the time of the test, he will give you the strength to endure it …

AT THIS POINT: Dip your finger in the dishwashing soap and touch it to the surface of the water covered in pepper and SAY:

“ … and will provide you with a way out!”

Ask:

  • What happened to the pepper when I touched it with my finger covered in soap? (it moved the pepper away)
  • What did we say as we shook pepper into the water? (our temptations)
  • How is what happened to the pepper like God telling us he will provide a way out of temptation?

TRY IT:
Let each of the kids touch their finger in the soap, and say “When I’m tempted to _______ (what they named earlier) God will help me to _____________ instead.” You should do it first to model it.

Example: God, when I’m tempted to lie to my parents, help me to tell the truth instead.

Return to the Drawing Project

DISTRIBUTE paint brushes, cups of water, and water colors. The only caution is to remind them not to use too much water --- you may want to demonstrate.

Say: Using any colors you want, completely cover your paper with water colors. As you do that, what do you see happening? (the drawings show through)

This happens because the wax in the crayon resists the water and paint. Just like the soap and the pepper.

As they paint, continue conversation:

Remember the pictures you drew from the story? They’re coming into view now. We can think of the pictures as temptations we have, and the wax as God’s protection so we don’t follow our temptations and sin.

Ask:

  • What are some things God gives us for protection to help us resist temptation? (pray – ask God for help, read the Bible – find stories about people who were tempted and God helped them, talk to parents, stop and think before acting)

Say: Remember the line from the Lord’s Prayer - lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. What does that line mean to you?

As kids finish up painting, you can try to blow them dry a bit with the art dryer in the room. If really wet, they can leave pictures here and they’ll get them the following week. If dry enough, they can take home same day.

Closing:

Allow 5 minutes of time at the end of class for the shepherd to do sharing and prayer with the kids. This may be done while they’re still working on their paintings.


Some ideas/explanations used in this lesson were from other posts at rotation.org.




A lesson posted by Jan Hanson from: First Presbyterian Church
Napa, CA

Last edited by Luanne Payne

Originally posted by Neil MacQueen in a brainstorm thread:

Art Workshop idea for Temptation of Jesus

Our rotation Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness used the theme of "JESUS THE REAL SUPER HERO" to examine what made him a real hero: being obedient to God, knowing the Word, not giving in to tempation. "Super Heroes" of course, are a HUGE part of our culture, and our kids' media, and that made the discussion flow.

A few years later we modified the idea to include the alliteration of "obdience vs expedient". Jesus didn't choose the easy way to power and glory, ...which he was tempted with by standing on top of the Temple.

A Super Jesus ART Workshop:

After study, we made "Super J" T-shirts in the style of Superman's chest emblem. We "blew" paint through straws over the top of "Super J" stencils, shapes, letters. We also let the kids choose a pillowcase or painter's cap for their designs. 'Blowing' the paint means not using much, and you can then put it under a heat lamp and/or fan to get it to dry quickly so it can go home.

In addition to "J", we had cut-outs of open Bibles, and small stencil letters they could use to assemble keywords on their shirt from the passage. Identifying the keywords was part of the study.

Primarily, we talked about "what kind of Messiah" Jesus was choosing to be. But we also discussed "what kind of disciples are WE going to be?" ...How will WE be "super"? ...What's the quick and easy way to look cool to others? What does God want us to be when it comes to feeding ourselves or serving others? --Knowing the Word or thinking with our stomachs? --Show others who Jesus is by demonstrating OUR powers and abilities, or by serving and sacrificing? etc.

Last edited by Rotation.org Lesson Forma-teer

Jesus’ Temptation - Alone in the Desert!

Art Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:
All three classes will make a “five fingered” decision stand to take home with them. This will help them to think about consequences of their decisions and how it relates to temptation.


Supplies List:

  • Sculpey modeling compound (one box for four stands)
  • 18 gauge stem wire (five per stand)
  • Sculpey and wire can be found in the craft/floral department at Wal-Mart or Michael’s
  • paint and paintbrushes
  • index cards or white paper cut into small squares
  • a variety of colors of construction paper cut just larger then the cards
  • colored pens or pencils
  • craft scissors
  • glue stick
  • Permanent markers

Leader Preparation:

  • Before class, make a stand for each child. Cut one block of Sculpey lengthwise into four equal pieces (approx. 7”x1) Bend each piece of clay into an arch. Place each stand over a cardboard paper roll, which has been covered in foil and place on a covered cookie sheet. Take five wire stems and curl one end (about 1.5 inch circles), so a piece of paper can be held in each. Poke the straight end of the five wires into the clay stand and bake the stand according to package directions. Allow them to cool.
  • Read the story ahead of time.
  • Gather the materials.


Presentation

Opening-Welcome and Lesson Introductions:

Welcome and Introductions: Welcome the children and introduce yourself. Remember that all of the children may not know who you are! Make sure you are wearing your name tag and that the children have picked up their nametags. Always begin each class with introductions. Tell the children that today you will be learning about what happened to Jesus, right after he was baptized. Jesus spent a long time in the desert, where he was tempted by the devil.

Opening Prayer: Pray something like this: “Dear God, Thank you for this day and for all the people who are here today. Thank you for sending Jesus and the Holy Spirit to show us the best way to deal with temptation. Help us to grow more like Jesus every day. ” AMEN

Dig-Main Content and Reflection:

Bible Passage: Gather the children at the TEMPLE AREA with their Bibles. If children did not bring a personal Bible, use the classroom Bibles. Encourage children to bring their Bibles to Sunday School each week.

Each workshop begins with the Bible passage. One of our primary goals is to improve the children’s Bible literacy! Always tell the children where in the Bible the story is found. This rotation’s story is found in three gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) Be sure to walk the children through the process of locating the scriptures. The handout “Helping Children Use Bibles in the Classroom” will help you guide the children through this part of the lesson.

For Younger children: Read the story “Jesus is Tempted in the Desert,” on pages 295-296 of The Little Kids’ Adventure Bible. Be sure to read the Did You Know and Let’s Live It notes on those pages and discuss with the children. Use the classroom maps to point out some of the important locations for this rotation. (Jordan River, Jerusalem, picture of Temple) Make sure children understand the meaning of the words: fast and temptation.

For Older children: Tell the children that this Bible story is found in three places (Matthew, Mark and Luke). Choose either the Matthew or Luke version to read, but older children can practice locating both stories. Have the children locate the scripture and follow along as you read, or let the children take turns reading aloud. After reading the text, find the Let’s Live It note in Matthew 4:1-11 and the Did You Know note in Luke 4:4. Read these together and discuss briefly.
Use the classroom maps to point out some of the important locations for this rotation. (Jordan River, Jerusalem, picture of Temple) Make sure children understand the meaning of the words: fast and temptation.

NOTE: as the rotation progresses, the children will become more familiar with the story. Use your discretion, but encourage the children to tell YOU what they know of the story. You can then fill in the gaps and take the discussion to a deeper level using the discussion questions below.

Ideas for Discussion:

  • (from last rotation) What happened to Jesus when he was baptized? (Holy Spirit descended like a dove)
  • Who is the Holy Spirit? (God’s presence with us)
  • Where did Jesus go after being baptized by John in the River Jordan? (Wilderness, desert)
  • Describe the wilderness where Jesus went. (Hot, desolate, barren, rocky, hilly, located east of Jerusalem)
  • How much time did Jesus spend in the desert? (40 days)
  • What happened to Jesus there? (Fasted, prayed, tempted by devil)
  • What does it mean to fast? (Go without food, usually to pray and get closer to God)
  • What does it mean to be tempted? (An attraction to do wrong, when someone tries to get you to do wrong)
  • What were the three temptations told in this story? (Food/physical desires, power/bowing down to Satan, miracles/testing God)
  • Why did Satan tempt Jesus to turn stones into bread? (he was hungry from the fast)
  • What did Jesus mean when he said, “man does not live by bread alone, but on every world that comes from the mouth of God?” (Physical things are not as important as spiritual, we need to depend on God, not try to do everything on our own)
  • What did Satan show Jesus he could be in charge of? (All the kingdoms of the world)
  • What would Jesus have to do to have that power? (Worship Satan)
  • Jesus knew that only God should be worshiped and put first in his life. What types of things do we “worship” today by giving them priority in our lives and making them more important than God? (Toys, TVs, money, gameboys, video games, computers, etc.)
  • What are you most tempted to worship?
  • What did Satan do to try to get Jesus to jump off the pinnacle of the Temple? (quoted scripture to tell him he wouldn’t be harmed)
  • Does Satan know the Bible? (Yes, he quoted scripture, but twisted its meaning)
  • Why did Satan tempt Jesus? (Tried to stop God’s plan for Jesus’ ministry)
  • How did Jesus respond to the temptations? (Resisted them, quoted scripture, let Holy Spirit strengthen him)
  • Which Old Testament book did Jesus quote scripture from when resisting the devil? (Deuteronomy)
  • Which temptation do you think was the most difficult for Jesus to resist? (No right answer, just explore their answers)
  • Who strengthened Jesus in the desert? (Holy Spirit within Jesus)
  • What else helped Jesus resist temptation? (His knowledge of the scriptures)
  • Why do you think God allowed Satan to tempt Jesus? (To test his human nature, to strengthen him and prepare him for his ministry, to give us an example to follow)
  • How can temptation be a positive or good thing? (Strengthens our faith, helps us lean on God, shows us where we need to grow, helps us become better disciples)
  • What kind of temptations do you face?
  • What can you do to resist temptation?
  • Jesus decided to obey God rather than take the easy way out. Why do you think even Jesus had to obey God? (to fulfill his plan, to prepare for his ministry, to live a sinless life)
  • Whom should you obey? (parents, teachers, Bible, God)

Temptation Wire Stands:
In class, the children will be able to paint the stand however they would like and then write the following on the front of the arch with either a permanent marker or paint:
“If I do this…”

Give the children five cards to write the following, one phrase per card:

1. Will I be disobeying someone God has placed over me?
2. Will I harm my body?
3. Will I hurt someone else?
4. Will I be glad about it tomorrow?
5. Would Jesus be pleased if He were standing beside me?

After they have finished writing on the cards, have them glue the cards to colored paper as if they are putting a mat around it. They may cut the edge of the colored paper with the craft scissors to make a fancy border. The children then should place the cards in the wire holders on the stand. Tell the children to place these somewhere at home where they can see them frequently and use these as a guide for making decisions in their lives.

Journal Questions:
Grades 1-2: Draw a picture of Jesus in the desert.
Grades 3-4: What do you think was the hardest thing for Jesus when he was in the desert?
Grades 5-6: What would be the hardest thing for you if you had been in the desert for 40 days?

Definitions - Words to Know:
fast - to go without food in order to devote time to prayer
tempt - to try to get someone to do something wrong, an attraction to do the wrong thing

Closing:

Gather the children together at the end of class. Share reminders about upcoming events. Remind them to bring their Bibles to class and encourage them to bring their friends to the G.R.E.A.T. Adventure. Ask for prayer requests and pray together.

Clean-up: Gather all supplies and put away in storage cabinet. Place journals, stickers, and pens/pencils in class box. Encourage the children to take responsibility for putting away all materials and supplies and to help keep our rooms neat and orderly.

Release children only to parents after they have signed their child out on the classroom clipboard, unless they have made prior arrangements with you.


A lesson written by Jaymie Derden from: State Street UMC G.R.E.A.T. Adventure

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Last edited by Luanne Payne

The Temptation of Jesus

Art Workshop

 

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Making a Collage.

Key Verses:
Luke 4:5-8 Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, "To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve

only him.'"


Leader Preparation:

  • Read the scripture ahead of time.
  • Gather the materials.
  • Make a sample project.

Supplies List:

  • Poster board
  • Magazines
  • Scissors
  • Markers
  • Glue


 

Presentation:

 

Opening-Welcome and Lesson Introduction:

Greet the children and introduce yourself.

 

Open with a prayer.

 

Dig-Main Content and Reflection:


Discussion:
What is it that the devil is offering Jesus? power over the world; riches; authority

Can you think of some reasons why this might be a temptation for Jesus?
power and control are intoxicating - if you are in charge you get what you want
you do what you want, others do what you say
many people expected the messiah to come as a strong political ruler -
a warrior king that would re-establish Israel as a great kingdom as in
the time of King David. If Jesus had all this, then he could meet the people’s
expectations - be what they wanted, but that would mean not being what God
wanted.

What is it that the devil wants Jesus to do to get this power? worship him

Review Jesus’ reply.

Where do you think Jesus’ reply comes from?
Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) that Jesus would have learned since childhood.

Look up Deuteronomy 6:13 to see the quote there
The LORD your God you shall fear; him you shall serve, and by his name alone you shall
swear.

Think back to when you studied the 10 Commandments. What else might Jesus have said?
Deuteronomy 5:7 You shall have no other gods before me.

To worship the devil would mean having something more important than God,
Jesus knew that was wrong. It is still wrong today, but there are many temptations in the world to worship other things. Maybe not worship in the sense of praying to them like God or going to church to worship them, but worshipping them by giving them priority in your life - making them more important than God.

For instance, (Update these for what is popular at the time)

1-3rd graders - pokemon cards are all the rage. Kids do most anything to collect more and
to get the special ones. Harmless enough perhaps, but if you had pokemon cards and God asked you to sell them and give the money to someone who needed it for food or clothes or shelter, would you do it? Or would they be too hard to give up?

4th and 5th graders - color game boys were so popular at Christmas that Toys-R-Us only put out a
certain number every hour to help regulate the stampeding crowds. If you had a color game boy and God asked you to give it to a child who did not have one, would you do it? Or would it be too hard to give up?

What other things, either in your life, or in other people’s lives do people seem at least tempted to worship?

cars/boats - spend so much time keeping them clean and shiny. get so upset if anything happens to it. have an importance to them far beyond their worth

their body - men who take steroids and risk destroying the body God gave them in order to be “super buff” or people who use plastic surgery to “improve” what God has given them or teens who are so eager to be as slim as fashion models that they become anorexic or bulimic.

grades/work - people who spend so much time to be perfect at their work that they have no time for relationships with God or other people

possessions - clothes, toys, gadgets, whatever is new that people have to buy, not because
they need it, but just to have it.

other people - sports figures, actors and actresses, rock stars, “royalty” - think about the uproar at the death of Princess Diana and the Kennedy deaths, yet Mother Teresa died with hardly anyone noticing

money - those who always have to have more, never feeling secure with what they, typically
unwilling to share proportionally to what they earn

Activity:

Cut out magazine pictures and draw your own pictures showing all the different things that people can be tempted to worship.

Decide on a title for your poster that will help people who see it know that these are things that we should not worship. We should worship God.
example: Worship God, not…

Have someone write the title on your poster board.

Arrange the pictures on the poster board and glue on. Display for church.

Journal Entry:

  • What things are you tempted to worship (to give more time to or care more about) rather than worshipping God?


Closing:

End with a prayer.

 

Have the children assist with the cleanup.


Editor's Note:
How could the collage be designed or have images included to represent how we RESIST Temptation, and what our correct PRIORITIES should be?


 

A lesson posted by Kingswood UMC

Atlanta, GA

 

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

 

Last edited by Rotation.org Lesson Forma-teer

Jesus in the Wilderness

Art WorkshopDesert Line Drawing Coloured

Summary of Lesson Activities:
Using Sand Art.

Scripture References:

Luke 4:1-13 and Matthew 4:1-11.

Lesson Objective:

  • to empathize with the feelings that Jesus felt in the desert.

Materials List:

  • Fine sand dyed in a variety of colors: it can be pre-bought this way or dyed with liquid or powdered fabric dye [Global Art by by MaryAnn Kohl and Jean Potter (Gryphon House. Beltsville, Maryland) has directions]
  • Paint brushes
  • Glue
  • Plastic containers with lids (such as Gladware) to fill with colored sand or glue.
  • Trays or large pieces of stiff paper
  • Copies of a simple desert scene on cardstock
  • Pan filled with warm sand (warm the sand in a warm oven before class)
  • Salty pretzels

Leader Preparation:

  • Read the story, Jesus Enters the Wilderness, in Luke 4:1-13 and Matthew 4:1-11. Notice that the accounts are similar except for the order that the temptations come in and the fact that Matthew mentions angels ministering to Jesus at the end of the account.
  • Read the children’s version of the story at home and be prepared to paraphrase the story for grades K-2.
  • Gather the materials.
  • Experiment with the materials at home before class.


Note: We set up six stations in our art room. Each station had a container of glue, a container of colored sand, two brushes, and an art tray.Students rotated between stations to add colors to their "paintings"



Presentation

Opening-Welcome and Lesson Introduction:

Before the class begins, the group will meet for five minutes with their shepherd to do some “get to know you” questions such as “What was your high and your low this week?” or “Name some things that you can do with sand. Today we are going to ‘paint’ with sand.” This is also a good time to have each student repeat the bible verse of the month to the shepherd before class begins.

  1. Wear a nametag and introduce yourself. Explain that we will be talking about Jesus entering a desert. Today, we will try to get the feeling of being in a desert by touching sand and eating salty pretzels. Then we will paint a picture of the desert with sand.
  2. Ask the children whether or not they have ever been to a desert. What types of words describe deserts? Make a list on a white board.
  3. Have the children eat pretzels. Explain that the saltiness of the pretzels makes us thirsty like Jesus might have been in the desert.

Dig-Main Content and Reflection:

  1. Next have the children take turns feeling the sand in the pan. Explain that the sand in the desert in Judea where Jesus lived would have been hot and dry.
  2. Next, either you, the shepherd, or older children can read the bible story on pp. 270 and 271 of the "gold" Children’s Illustrated Bible by Victoria Parker. You should be prepared to paraphrase this story with children in grades K-2. Ask the children to try and count the number of times that Jesus was tempted in the story.
  3. Seat the children at the art tables. Distribute copies of a simple black-line desert scene that is divided into sections for different colors of sand (I made my own by tracing a picture I found on the internet).Older children may be able to generate their own simple outline drawings.
  4. Explain that each section on the picture will be a different color. Show the children a finished sample.
  5. Explain that we can “paint” with sand by painting a section with glue first and then covering it with sand. Demonstrate how to brush the section with glue and how to sprinkle the sand over the glue with a spoon.
  6. Only one section at time can be painted with glue and sprinkled with sand. The excess sand from one color can be shaken off on to a tray or large piece of stiff paper and returned to the container at the end of class by an adult.
  7. It is important to completely cover the glue so that sand from the other sections doesn’t stick there. Explain that it is best to start with dark colors because some sand always sticks to the wrong sections. It is better that the “stray” sand be light instead of dark.
  8. Have the children complete their artwork section by section while you and the shepherd circulate.

Wrap-Up: Lay the “paintings” out to dry and seat the children on the carpet.

Ask the children how they think Jesus felt being in the desert. (Even though Jesus was fully God and not capable of doing wrong, he could still feel pain and suffer because he was fully human.)

Read Luke 4:1

Ask, “Why do you think that the Holy Spirit would led Jesus into the desert to be tested?

Journal time:

Have the children think of some sentences to describe how Jesus must have felt in the desert for forty days without food. The sentences can be composed as a group on a white board and copied into individual journals.

Closing:

End with a prayer.

Have the children assist with the cleanup.


References:

  • "Global Art" by MaryAnn Kohl and Jean Potter (Gryphon House. Beltsville, Maryland)
  • "The Children's Illustrated Bible" by Victoria Parker.

 

A lesson posted by Dee Cobia, Director of Children's Ministries, BayMarin Community Church
San Rafael, CA

 A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

In 2015, Luanne Payne created a drawing for this lesson. See attached photo and Desert Scene PDF to assist in the use of this lesson.

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Last edited by Luanne Payne

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