Jesus Chooses God’s Word

Matthew 4:1-11

The Big Idea

When you face temptation, God’s Word can help you choose what is right and trust God.

The Bible Story

Jesus Is Tempted in the Wilderness

Matthew 4:1–11 tells how the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness, where Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights and became hungry. The devil tempted Jesus three times. First, he told Jesus to command stones to become bread if he was the Son of God. Jesus answered from Scripture that people do not live by bread alone, but by every word from God’s mouth. Jesus did not change the stones into bread. He answered the temptation by trusting God and obeying Scripture. Jesus also refused the other temptations: he would not test God or worship the devil. Afterward, the devil left, and angels came to serve Jesus.

Themes

Obedience to Scripture Resisting temptation Trusting God Worshiping God alone

Bible moment

The Bible moment

Look closely

What children can notice

Jesus stands calmly in the wilderness near several stones while the devil presents the temptation to make bread from them. Jesus refuses and answers with Scripture, showing that trusting God is more important than satisfying a temporary hunger.

Talk together

Talk about it

How did Jesus answer the temptation?
How can Scripture help you make a wise choice?

For families, church, and class

Use this page

Use this page with Matthew 4:1–11 in family devotions, Sunday school, church lessons, classrooms, or homeschool settings. Explain that the bread is only a proposed temptation; Jesus does not change the stones. Invite children to notice how Jesus responds with Scripture and refuses to test or replace trust in God. For older children, discuss how knowing Scripture can guide faithful choices without making the devil frightening.

Source note