Teaching Youth to Fight Temptation
When the Church Says ‘Just Say No’
Religious educator tips for teaching children to resist temptation
“Lead us not into temptation.” Even with that prayer answered, temptation is still out there, led into or not. For youth today, it’s seemingly everywhere. From peer pressure to the all-encompassing media, not a day goes by when young people aren’t faced with the siren song of some sin or another.
Teaching young people about temptation may be the first step in recognizing that it’s out there. It’s important that children recognize that they’re being tempted every day. You can’t begin to fight something if you can’t see where it’s coming from.
Bible Stories
The best known Bible story on temptation is in Matthew 4:1-11, the story of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. Three times Jesus was tempted and three times he resisted.
Compare that story with the story of the Garden of Eden in the book of Genesis. What were the different reactions to temptation? Jesus had spent 40 days and nights praying in the dessert. He was prepared to resist temptation and follow God.
Teaching the 7 Deadly Sins
They’re not called that anymore, but the capital sins pretty much sum up all the bad things a person can be - Lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy and pride.
It’s not an all-inclusive list of all sins, but early church writers called them “capital” sins because they lead to so many other sins.
Talk with your students about each of the seven capital sins and have them come up with examples of each of them. What other sins can be traced back to one of the capital sins?
Angel on Your Shoulder
In the movies, temptation is symbolized by a tiny devil on one shoulder, whispering assurances that you can get away with whatever it is you’re about to do. On the other shoulder is the sweet angel, providing your conscience.
Have your children make angel pins and then pin them to their shoulders.
A cute angel pin craft idea can be found on Kids Domain or check your local craft store for ideas.
Temptation in the Media
Many TV shows portray temptation, either between characters or between the show’s theme and the audience.
Have your students watch a favorite TV show with these questions in mind:
- What is the show tempting you or one of the characters to do? One of the 7 capital sins? A break of one of the 10 Commandments? If so, how?
- Was the temptation direct or indirect?
- Was there any good or positive temptation in the show? If so, what was it?
A Visual
Help your students visualize what happens when they resist temptation. Fill a bowl with water. Sprinkle some black pepper on top. Then dip a corner of a bar of soap into the water, near where the pepper is.
The pepper will move away from the soap.
Tell your students when they resist temptation, they are like the soap and the temptations are like the pepper. Follow Jesus’ example and say no to temptation and you will banish it.
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