02: Baptism and Temptations – Lesson Plan
Key Thought : By idle talk, evilspeaking, or neglect of prayer, we can lost the Savior’s presence, and it may take many days of sorrowful search to find Him.
[Lesson plan for Baptism and Temptations April 6, 2015]
1. Have a volunteer read Luke 3:11-14.
a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. Why does John connect baptism with lifestyle changes in the performance of these men’s duties?
c. Personal Application: How did your attitudes and actions change at your work place after your conversion? What may still need to change? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Is John advocating socialism here by telling people to share everything they have with others? Are we to live poorly, day to day, and depend on others to live?” How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read Luke 4:3,4.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. Why did Jesus spend forty days and nights fasting in the desert? What was His motive?
c. Personal Application: How much time do we spend daily reading God’s word compared to how much time we spend fixing, preparing, eating, and cleaning up after meals? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why is God so concerned about small things, like appetite? What difference does it make whether we eat two or three meals a day, whether we eat breakfast or not, or five snacks a day? Aren’t we making more focus on food than on the Savior?” How would you respond to your neighbor?
3. Have a volunteer read Luke 4:5-8.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. Why did Satan want Jesus to worship him? How do we inadvertently worship Satan instead of God on a daily basis?
c. Personal Application: Is there any point where you would be tempted to compromise say on keeping the Sabbath – a college test, a sports event, a promotion, an invitation from family members or friends? Share your thoughts..
d. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Many Adventists are too strict. You have to relax a little and enjoy life. You can’t expect to live in this world without compromising some. If you were absolutely faithful to Christ; you’d be considered a freak and weirdo.” How would you respond to your friend?
4. Have a volunteer read Luke 4:9-13.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. Why is it so easy for us to fall into temptation, even though God has given us promises of victory?
c. Personal Application: Have you ever been presumptuous in believing God would look out for you, even if you were doing something you shouldn’t? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.
(Note : “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149.