For Our Young People

Jesus Resists Temptation

Instructions: Do this exercise in quiet surroundings. As you read the scriptures, imagine that you are part of the event. Visualize the scene. Hear the voices. Feel the emotions of the main characters.

ANALYZE THE SCENE.​—READ MATTHEW 4:1-11.

Describe the wilderness in which Jesus spent 40 days.

․․․․․

What tone do you detect in the Tempter’s voice? in Jesus’ voice?

․․․․․

DIG DEEPER.

How did Satan show himself to be an opportunist? (Reread verse 2.)

․․․․․

Why did the Devil present to Jesus not only all the kingdoms of the world but also “their glory”? (Reread verse 8.)

․․․․․

Why might Satan have chosen to tempt Jesus by offering him rulership?

․․․․․

(a) What does each of Satan’s temptations reveal about his thinking? ․․․․․

(b) In contrast, what does each of Jesus’ responses reveal? ․․․․․

APPLY WHAT YOU LEARNED. WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU LEARNED ABOUT . . .

When temptation is likely to strike.

․․․․․

The various methods Satan may use to tempt us.

․․․․․

How to face up to temptation.

․․․․․

WHAT ASPECT OF THIS ACCOUNT IS MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU, AND WHY?

․․․․․