A Real Temptation
Children's Activity
Object:
Teachers: Today you may teach your students about dealing with
temptation by making a game of it. You will need paper plates for
this game. Give each student two plates. Using markers or crayons
students should decorate one plate with a happy face and the
other with a sad face. When the faces are finished, help the
students tape them back-to-back.
Next tell the story about the devil tempting Jesus in the wilderness. Explain that the devil was "tempting" Jesus to do things that Jesus knew were wrong. Give this example of dealing with a temptation: You saw someone accidentally drop a candy bar. You could keep it, but you decided to give it to the owner. You did the correct thing. You were not tempted to keep it. The students' response to this situation is to hold up the happy face. When the temptation goes the other way, students should hold up the sad face. Now you are ready to play the game. Make a list of temptations to tell your students. Ask them to hold up the happy or sad face, depending on how they feel the temptation was handled. You may create your own temptations. Here are some ideas to use:
I promised to help dry the supper dishes. I decided to play instead.
The doorbell is ringing. I'm closest to the door, but I don't want to answer it.
I'll surprise my parents by getting dressed myself this morning.
I'm finished playing with my toys. I'll put them away without being asked.
It's my turn to feed the cat, but I'd rather play outside.
Parents: You may continue the temptation game at home. Allow your child to instruct you in making a happy-sad face paper plate. Create temptations for your child to consider reacting to. Have your child create some temptations for you.
Next tell the story about the devil tempting Jesus in the wilderness. Explain that the devil was "tempting" Jesus to do things that Jesus knew were wrong. Give this example of dealing with a temptation: You saw someone accidentally drop a candy bar. You could keep it, but you decided to give it to the owner. You did the correct thing. You were not tempted to keep it. The students' response to this situation is to hold up the happy face. When the temptation goes the other way, students should hold up the sad face. Now you are ready to play the game. Make a list of temptations to tell your students. Ask them to hold up the happy or sad face, depending on how they feel the temptation was handled. You may create your own temptations. Here are some ideas to use:
I promised to help dry the supper dishes. I decided to play instead.
The doorbell is ringing. I'm closest to the door, but I don't want to answer it.
I'll surprise my parents by getting dressed myself this morning.
I'm finished playing with my toys. I'll put them away without being asked.
It's my turn to feed the cat, but I'd rather play outside.
Parents: You may continue the temptation game at home. Allow your child to instruct you in making a happy-sad face paper plate. Create temptations for your child to consider reacting to. Have your child create some temptations for you.
