Lesson: WWJD if he faced temptation?

• A large piece of plywood or a cork board to serve as a dartboard

• Three standard darts

• Balloons

• Tape or tacks

• Permanent markers

• A simple reward for the winner of this game

• 100 sheets of blank paper

• Permanent Marker

Procedure

Before your group arrives, take the permanent marker and place a large "X" on anywhere from 25 to 50 of the sheets. Make sure that the "X" does not show through to the other side of the paper. Lay the sheets in the center of the room, arranging them in a 10x10 square. Randomly distribute the pages with the "X" face down in your arrangement to create a minefield. The sheets with the "X" represent mines. Your group will attempt to cross this minefield without stepping on a mine.

Ask for a volunteer. Allow him/her to attempt to cross the minefield according to the following rules:

• You may only advance one "square" at a time, either horizontally or vertically (not diagonally)

• Before you advance a square, turn over the sheet of paper to make sure it is not a mine.

• If you turn over a mine, you are "dead." You must turn the sheet back over to hide the "X" and return to your seat.

• If the sheet you turn over is not a mine, you may advance to that square and continue.

As each person tries to cross the game, encourage everyone else to shout directions about which way to go. Continue this game for as long as time allows and see who is able to cross the minefield successfully. It should become easier with each try because everyone will remember where the mines are.

Transition

In this game, you tried to guess the right way to go. Sometimes you were right, but many times you were wrong. You were able to learn which way to go based on the failures and successes of the people who went in front of you.

This minefield is like life. The mines represent bad choices, or sin. Satan will send many conflicting signals and voices, trying to get us to choose our own way. When we make wrong choices and sin, it’s like stepping on a mine. We face the consequences.

The blank sheets of paper represent good choices. In the game of life, only Jesus knows the way through the minefield. Rather than guessing with our own wisdom or listening to all those other voices out there, we follow Jesus through the minefield. We walk in his steps. He goes in front of us to show us the way, and he will never make a mistake.

1 John 2:6 says, "Anyone who claims to live in Jesus must walk as he walked."

1. Introduction
   
   Certain things in life are inevitable. Temptation is one of them.
2. Illustration
   
   Ask your group to name some things in life that are inevitable. (If no one catches on at first, throw out these examples: death, taxes, hunger, thirst, etc.).
3. Examination and Discussion
   
   God’s Spirit will at times allow you to be tempted so that you can be made strong (Matthew 4:1). Satan constantly thinks of new ways to tempt you (1 Peter 5:8). You have a sinful nature that makes you susceptible to sin (Romans 7:15-21).

   a. Why does God allow you to be tempted? (see 1 Peter 1:6-7)
   b. What should your attitude be when you are tempted? (see James 1:2-4)

4. Application

Make a plan to deal with temptation the next time it strikes. Arm your attitude and prepare to resist temptation when it comes.

B. Giving in to temptation has its price (James 1:13-15; Proverbs 15:10; 1 John 1:9-10)

1. Introduction
   
   Giving in to temptation always comes with a price. If you play with fire, you will get burned.
2. Illustration
   
   A woman walks into a restaurant and sits down. A waiter gives her a menu. She sees something she likes and asks, "How much is this?" The waiter tells her how much it is. She knows she cannot afford it, but she orders it anyway because she likes it so much. After she is finished, the waiter brings her the check. She explains, "I cannot afford to pay for this. Please excuse me."
   
   (Discuss the following questions) Should the woman have to pay for her meal? Why shouldn’t she be allowed to walk out without paying? Why do good meals cost money? Why is there a cost associated with sin? Shouldn’t you just be able to commit all the sin you want without consequences? What is the purpose of consequences?
3. Examination and Discussion
   
   James tells us that we can blame neither the devil nor God when we give into temptation. We alone are responsible for choosing to sin. Proverbs reveals that we will face consequences every time we sin. Fortunately, however, 1 John tells us that if we admit that we have sinned, we can experience forgiveness.

   a. Have you ever blamed someone else for giving in to temptation? Who?
   b. What consequences have you faced as a result of your sin?
   c. Can you think of any sins that you have not yet confessed to God?

4. Application

The next time you face temptation, don’t look to pass the blame. If you do give in to temptation, be ready to face the consequences that come with it. Then, ask God to forgive you of that specific sin.

C. You can overcome temptation (Luke 4:1-12)

1. Introduction

   Sometimes temptation can seem so great that we feel powerless in its clutches. We think that the only way to escape the temptation is to give into it. God never allows you to be tempted beyond what you are capable of enduring. He always provides a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13).

2. Illustration
   
   Once upon a time an Indian had two dogs – a black one and a white one. They were both the same size and weight. The Indian loved them both, but the two dogs did not love each other. They would often fight each other so brutally that the other Indians knew that eventually one dog would kill the other. They had a running bet as to which dog would win the final fight. One day, the owner of the dogs showed up around the campfire and explained that one of his dogs had killed the other. His friends asked which dog won the fight. The Indian replied, "The one I fed the most."

   We discussed earlier that you have two natures inside you – a sinful nature and the nature of Jesus. When you face temptation, which of these two natures will win the fight for control of your will? The one you feed the most. If you spend your time feeding yourself a healthy diet of Jesus, you will be strong enough to fight temptation. If you spend your time feeding your selfish desires, you will be too weak to fight temptation. You can overcome temptation.

3. Examination and Discussion
   
   Jesus quoted Scripture every time Satan tempted him. Jesus knew the Bible well, and was able to find specific verses that dealt with the specific temptation. This was his escape plan. God always provides you with a way of escape from temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13), but you have to find it.
   
   a. What kind of lies does Satan tell when you are facing temptation?
   b. How can you better equip yourself to know God’s Word and defend yourself during temptation?
4. Application

• What is a temptation that youth face every day?

• How would Jesus deal with this specific temptation if he faced it?