Lesson Guide
First, watch the video above together as a group.
Icebreaker Activity: Would You Rather – Wilderness Edition
Read each scenario and have students quickly choose their answer by moving to one side of the room. One side of the room for option A and the other for option B.
Would you rather:
- Spend 40 days without your phone or 40 days without junk food?
- Would you rather be stranded in the desert or in the middle of the ocean?
- Have everyone know your biggest failure or your biggest fear?
- Face one extreme challenge today or a bunch of small challenges all month?
- Would you rather sleep outside for a week or only eat the same meal for a week?
What You Need to Know
Take turns reading the talking points and scripture passages aloud.
- Jesus’ baptism marked the beginning of His public ministry and showed His willingness to identify with humanity. Mark 1:19-11
- At Jesus’ baptism, we see all three persons of the Trinity together: the Father speaking, the Son being baptized, and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove.
- Jesus faced real temptation in the wilderness, just like we face real temptations today. Hebrews 4:15
- Jesus defeated temptation by relying on the Holy Spirit and God’s Word, giving us an example for our own spiritual battles. Mark 1:12-13
- Jesus’ message is still the same today: turn toward God, trust Him, and believe the Good News that He offers forgiveness and a relationship with Him. Mark 1:14-15
*Have students read the talking points and verses.
Discussion Questions
Read through the questions one at a time and discuss them as a group.
- What stood out to you most from the video or talking points?
- Why do you think it was important for Jesus to be baptized even though He never sinned?
- Before Jesus did any miracles, God said, “You are my dearly loved Son.” What does that teach us about where our worth comes from? Where are some places we often try to find our identity and worth in?
- Have you ever gone through something that felt like nobody else understood? What was it?
- Read 1 Corinthians 10:13. What are some temptations or pressures students your age commonly face today? What might be some of the ways out that Jesus promises in these situations?
- Jesus used God’s truth to fight temptation. What are some practical ways you can stay connected to God’s Word during difficult times?
- Jesus’ first message was, “Repent and believe the Good News.” What do you think that invitation means for your life right now?
*Encourage everyone to participate, listen well, and share honestly. This is an opportunity to learn from God’s Word and from one another.
