Lesson 3 Temptation. Lesson Objectives:

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1 Lesson 3 Temptation Lesson Objectives: The objective of this lesson is to help children and teens: Know the meaning of the word temptation Understand the process involved in yielding to temptation. Be able to identify sin and temptation in their own lives Understand how trials produces maturity Understand that every good thing comes from above. Memory Verse: James 1:12 Scriptural References: James 1:12-18 Activity one for children and teens: Begin the class with the following statements: Today we are going to talk about temptation. Does anyone know what temptation is? (Allow students to answer). Temptation is having a desire or thought to do something that is not pleasing to God. We are going to read some examples of when young people are tempted. Then I will ask some questions about each situation read. Read the temptation scenarios to the class and allow them to respond to the questions following each scenario. A coloring page, Lord Help Me Resist Temptation is provided for smaller children. Discussion In lesson one, we discussed trials and how God uses trials to produce patience and maturity in the believer making him perfect and complete (James 1:4). During the trials of life and in everyday circumstances everyone is tempted to sin. Today we are going to talk about what temptation is and God s purposes in allowing believers to endure temptation. In James 1:12-15, James talks about temptation. He begins in verse 12 by saying that the man who experiences temptation is blessed and he explains why. In our handout Characteristics of a diamond the process of how a diamond develops is discussed. Diamonds are believed to be produced from the presence of extreme heat and pressure. Trials serve the same purpose in the life of a Christian. Christians are developed from the intense fiery trials of life. Genuine diamonds are rare and very valuable. They are not only formed by heat and pressure but can endure high levels of heat and pressure. Even though two gems may appear identical from the outside, only the diamond can endure under extreme circumstances. Its endurance provides the evidence that it is genuine. Christians are many times molded and shaped by God through the heat and pressure of circumstances but the ability of the Christian to endure under these circumstances provides the evidence that his faith genuine. Just like the diamond, there are characteristics found in the Christian that are not found in the non-christian even though both may be actively involved in religious activities. God knows whether a believer s faith is genuine but He will allow him or her to go through trials so the believer can also know that his faith in genuine or that his faith is weak. In either case trials provide an opportunity for growth. Many of the Christians during James time were being attacked for their belief that Jesus was the messiah. Persecution was the trial that many of the Christians reading James s letter experienced. As in James time many are tempted to sin during times of difficulty. Christians are tempted to retaliate if it is a trial caused by someone else or there may be a temptation to blame God, especially during difficult circumstances that result through no fault of our own. James says when you are tempted do not say you are being tempted by God. God does not tempt anyone. When we are tempted we are tempted from within. We are drawn by thoughts and desires that originate from our own hearts. When we experience these desires or thoughts we 9

2 have a choice to either yield or resist. Christ has given the Christian the strength through His Spirit to resist temptations but he or she has to choose to yield to the Spirit and not to the flesh. In the examples we discussed in the handout Yield Not to Temptation, we saw how the process of temptation begins. The Christian has a choice as to whether to yield to the temptation or resist the temptation. The sinner is enslaved by sin but may be able to resist temptation on some occasions. In both cases the young people in the examples chose to yield to the temptation. Sin occurs not when we are tempted but when we choose to yield to the temptation. The first thing the Christian must do is to ask the Lord Jesus to help him resist the temptation. In the first example the temptation was the desire for the item. If the young person had accepted the fact that he/she could not have the item, he/she would have not yielded to the temptation. In the second example if the young person had chosen not to dwell on the sister s accusations it would have been easier to resist the temptation to get angry. In both cases the temptation was to fight, argue and become angry and resentful. The important thing to remember when trying to resist temptation is to get away from the situation when possible or not to put oneself in a position to be exposed to temptation unnecessarily. Remember Joseph when he was undergoing trials he was tempted by Potiphar s wife. Joseph ran to avoid yielding to the temptation (Genesis 39:11-23). Never stay in a situation unnecessarily thinking you are strong enough not to yield. James tells us that those who endure temptation will receive a crown of life. The crown of life is eternal life in heaven with the Lord Jesus Christ. All of the things we are tempted by are temporary, only the crown of life is forever. James 1: reminds us that everything we experience here on earth that is good is from God above. We are not to take God s blessing for granted but rather express gratitude to Him for all of the blessings he grants us. We are to especially recognize that if we are a believer, our very ability to believe comes from Him and Him alone! If you are not a believer trust Christ to set you free from sin and bring you through every temptation and trial you may experience then praise Him for all of the benefits you receive from His hand. 10

3 Yield Not To Temptation You have been with a friend who has been given money to go shopping. Your parents did not have any money for you to buy anything and you have seen one thing in the store that you really, really want. 1. When you return home to your parents you ask them if they would buy the object you desired. They tell you no, that you do not need it. 2. At first you think of the item occasionally but you are resolved to the fact that you can t have it so why go on thinking about it. For a while you are able to forget about it. 3. You begin to think about it again and the more you see it at different places and on commercials, the more you want it. At times you become frustrated at the thought of not being able to have it. 4. You ask your parents again and you become quietly angry because you can t have it. 5. Eventually you ask your parents again and the asking becomes an argument with your parents. At what point is this just temptation? What are the temptations? At what point did you give into the temptation? You and your sister are playing a game outside. She accuses you of cheating. You did not cheat so at first you tell her that you did not cheat and you both continue to play. She accuses you again and you both go inside. She begins to tell everyone that you are a cheater. 1. You try to defend yourself but she continues to accuse. Your parents ignore her because they suspected that you probably did not cheat. 2. She finally stops the accusations and becomes interested in another game in which she plays by herself. You watch her without saying anything. 3. You begin to visualize yourself beating her up while becoming increasingly angrier. 4. The anger continues to build until finally you walk over to her and push her out of her chair and yell I M NOT A CHEATER!!!! At what point is this just temptation? What are the temptations? At what point did you give into the temptation? 11

4 Characteristics of a Diamond Diamond is the hardest substance known to man. It is very durable and very difficult to destroy. Its endurance far surpasses that of other substances. Its hardness is exhibited in its resistance to scratching. Good quality diamonds have a clear, strong and unusual color that sets them apart from other gems. Two important characteristic of the diamond when used as a gem are its brilliancy and fire. The index of refraction and the dispersion (the physical properties that determine the luster and fire) are higher in the diamond than any other natural, transparent, colorless stone. Diamond is cold to touch because it is an excellent conductor of heat. Most diamonds are also good electrical conductors and become charged with positive electricity when rubbed. Diamonds are also resistant to attack by acids and bases. Transparent diamond crystals heated in oxygen burn at 1470 F. The above diamond is cut and polished. The diamond below is a diamond in the rough, left in its natural form. Geologist are not sure exactly how diamonds are formed but based on where they have been found it is known that tremendous heat and tremendous pressure are required for crystallization of carbon into this form. Therefore it is believed that diamonds are probably produced in molten rock or magma below the earth s surface. Extremely small and opaque diamonds have also been found in certain types of meteorites. Several attempts have been made to imitate the diamond. The most common forms of imitation diamond are made from lead glass. Imitation diamonds will often contain air bubbles which can be seen with a magnifying glass, are less transparent to X-rays and can be cut by diamonds. Imitation diamonds can be easily destroyed; they do not have the endurance of a genuine diamond. Imitation diamonds made from glass can be easily crushed or cracked and can be melted to a liquid form and reshaped. Glass is also a poor conductor of heat and electricity. Genuine diamonds are rare and very valuable. They are not only formed by heat and pressure but can endure high levels of heat and pressure. Even though two gems may appear identical from the outside, only the diamond can endure under extreme circumstances. Its endurance provides the evidence that it is genuine. Christians are many times molded and shaped by God through the heat and pressure of circumstances but the ability of the Christian to endure under these circumstances provides the evidence that his faith genuine. Just like the diamond, there are characteristics found in the Christian that are not found in the non-christian even though both may be actively involved in religious activities. Diamonds are resistant to almost all forms of destructive forces. Christians are shaped by Christ into brilliant lights that reflect the love of God. Once the Christian has endured the fiery trials of life he can endure anything life brings. The difference in the Christian and the diamond is that the Christian can and will endure all destructive forces. Those forces may destroy the body but not the soul. Genuine Christians are like rare gems in the world. 12

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