Lent: Christ in the Wilderness
(Matthew 4:1-9)

This teaching activity is closely based on a Barnabas in Churches idea.

Summary

The children are invited to the front for a short introduction to Lent and the idea of preparing for Easter by facing up to our temptations.
The story of Jesus in the wilderness is read in stages, whilst children are invited to put various props on a little stage that has been prepared.
The children are invited to reflect on Jesus' responses to temptation, and on what this might mean for us today.

A base, on a table so that everyone can see it, to represent the desert. BRF suggests an underlay of sandy-coloured felt. You could also use a tray of sand.
Some small stones.
The highest point of the temple in Jerusalem: a tower made of Duplo, Lego or similar.
A map or globe of the world.
A figure to represent Jesus.
Three word cards, with one of the following phrases in large print or writing on each: "Nobody can live only on food. We need every word God has spoken." "Worship the Lord your God and serve only Him." "Don't try to test the Lord your God."
Three readings: Matthew 4.1-3, 5-6 and 8-9, which you might wish to print on separate pieces of paper.

Pass out the props (except the tray or underlay) and word cards at the beginning of the service. None of these children needs to be able to read, as the word cards will be held up for all to see. Pass out the readings to older children or adults.

Invite the children to the front. The three with word cards should stand behind the table with the 'desert' on it, not yet holding up their cards. Explain that Jesus went out into the desert for forty days and forty nights, after He was baptized, to pray and prepare for God's work. Present the underlay or tray as the desert (and the plastic figure as Jesus if you are using it).
Matthew 4. 1-3 is read. The child with the stones is invited to put them in the desert. An adult leads the discussion about why Jesus might have been tempted to do as Satan suggested. The three word cards are held up and read out by the leader, and the children choose which response Jesus might have given to this temptation.
Matthew 4.5-6 is read. The child with the tower is invited to put it in the desert ('Jesus' could be placed on the tower), and a similar discussion process follows.
Matthew 4.8-9 is read. The child with the map or globe is invited to put it in (or beside) the desert and a similar discussion follows.
Talk about the sorts of things that we are tempted to do, which we know would be wrong. Talk about how Jesus never gave in to temptation, and how we need His help to resist our own temptations. He didn't take the easy way out: magic tricks with stones, throwing himself off buildings or taking over by violence. His way was the Cross.