Fighter verses to combat the devils tricks and lies( Luke 4:1-13)

Props:

·         Jesus Storybook Bible: Let’s go

·         Bread

·         Stones

·         Globe (not essential)

·         A4 paper card cut length-ways into 2” wide strips with fighter verses on (see below)

Something to say

Have you noticed we seem to have a lot of TV shows at the moment that focus on getting famous? Can anyone think of one? (X factor, I’m a celebrity, the Voice, Strictly etc ). Why do you think people like to get famous? Some of them think that by getting famous, they will have lots of friends or will get lots of money. And they think that people might love them more and that might make them happy. Will that make you happy?

Have you also noticed that sometimes we think that if we buy more ‘stuff’ - get the next best toy or the best pair of trainers, even a fast car, we will be happy and our friends will like us even more. Will that make you happy?

Lots of adults are also really interested in getting more and more power, maybe its through politics or money. Maybe they think that if they get more power they will be happier too because they will have more influence. Will that make you happy?

What does the bible have to say about people who want to be famous, powerful or wealthy? Well, in the next story we will see Jesus tempted by the devil. Does anyone remember Jesus being baptised by John the Baptist? Well after that, he went to the desert for 40 days and he was really hungry. He was tempted by the devil who lied to him and tried to get him to follow a different plan from Gods. Let’s see what happens.

Something to show

Jesus Storybook bible DVD “Let’s go” (show it ½ way through)

See Jesus was tempted too. He was hungry and the devil said “if you are the son of God, turn these stones into bread” (hold up a stone and point to the bread). Jesus knew that the Bible says we don’t just survive on bread, but we need to rely on God. He knew the Devil was tempting him to do something wrong.

The Devil tempted Jesus to seek fame by jumping off the temple showing his power to lots of people. But Jesus knew the devil was tempting hi to do something wrong and that we should no test God but trust him. 

The Devil also promised him all the power in the world, (hold up the globe) but Jesus knew he was him to do something wrong and that we should worship and serve only God.

Let’s see what it says in the bible. I'm going to read Luke 4:1-13 to you. Listen well, because at the end we’re going to have a game. This story shows how Jesus used verses from the bible to fight against the devils tricks.

Let’s have a game where we can match the things Jesus said with fame, power and food:

Fighter verse Game: 

Write out the words below and cut them up into strips so the kids have to match each of the following:

·         Temptation

·         “It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone” Deuteronomy 8v3

·         TRUST GOD

·         Seeking power

·         “It is written: Worship the Lord your God and serve him only” Deuteronomy 6v13

·         WORSHIP GOD

·         Seek fame

·         “It is said: Do not put the Lord your God to the test” Deuteronomy 6v16

·         HAVE FAITH IN GOD

Once finished, see if any of the kids thought that ‘trust God’ went with all three situations. How about ‘worship God’ and ‘Have faith in God’?

It’s ok to want to have a Coca Cola or some Chocolate. But its worth remembering that we don't need this to survive. We need first to worship, pray and speak to God.

It's ok to want to go on X factor, but it's not ok to believe that being famous is the most important thing in the world. It is more important to trust in God.

Its ok if you want to have some power to change the bad in the world for good, but not if that is more important to us than worshiping God.

Something to show:

Remember that the world we live in does not put God first. When you go out this week, I want to see if you can spot any lies. For example, who thinks that by drinking Coca Cola we will be happier? Well watch this TV advert, and see if you think you will be:

You TUBE Cola Cola advert “Open happiness”

What do you think? Will you be happier? It looks so beautiful with the animals but really they don’t care about coca cola.!!!

Something to pray:

Ask the kids to lie down and welcome the Holy Spirit into the room. Ask Him to reveal himself in words and pictures for the kids. Ask if God spoke to anyone afterwards and what did He say?

Pray for the kids to know the difference between the lies and the truth. Pray that they know the true meaning of 'happiness'  which comes through trusting God and not through the things that we are sometimes promised on TV like having more things or money or by being famous. That they will worship and trust God and have faith in Him all their lives, and seek Him forever. Amen.