READ the Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13

TALK about the Scripture: Have you ever been tempted by the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies? In 2003, the Immaculate Baking Company of North Carolina created a giant outdoor oven and baked the world’s biggest cookie. The chocolate-chip monstrosity stretched 102 feet wide and weighed over 40,000 pounds! Can you imagine how big that temptation must have been?

We all understand temptation, and we have all given into temptation that causes us to sin. It might be the temptation to eat a cookie when Mom said to wait, or it could be the temptation to play a few more minutes of video games when we are supposed to turn it off. As hard as we might try, we all fall into the temptation to sin. That’s why we need Jesus!

When He was tempted by Satan, Jesus used the Word of God to do battle with the enemy. Jesus did not give in, and He remained perfect and righteous. The Word of God—the Bible—can help us to avoid sin and flee from temptation, but we have an even great defense. The Gospel of John says that Jesus is the Word made flesh. All who believe in Jesus have been set free from the power of sin and given the power to say no to temptation. He is the perfect, righteous Savior who came to battle sin and defeat it for good!

Christ Connection: Jesus was tempted, but He trusted God and never sinned. Jesus is perfect and righteous. A perfect sacrifice was required to take away sin. Jesus was that perfect sacrifice. He died on the cross to free us from sin and to give us the power to say no to temptation.

WATCH the Bible Story Video: Jesus Was Tempted

LEARN the Scripture: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

PRAY as a Family: Jesus, You are the Word who came to live with people. You used the Word to overcome Satan’s temptations, and now we see that You are the Word whose sacrifice has forever defeated sin. When we face temptation, help us look to You as our rescue from sin and our source of power to say no to sin. Amen.

APPLY what you've learned: Learn the big picture question and answer and practice asking and answering randomly throughout the week together.

Q: How do we know God loves us?

A: We can know that God loves us because He sent His Son, Jesus.

READ the Scripture: John 1:29-51

TALK about the Scripture: Have you ever played follow-the-leader? In the game, one person is the leader and the rest of the group must imitate whatever actions he does first. If the leader jumps up and down, then the group must jump up and down. If the leader clucks like a chicken, the everyone else must also cluck like a chicken. The point of the game is to pay special attention to the leader and mimic what he does.

Thinking about the rules of this game helps us understand what Jesus meant when He said to the disciples, “Follow Me.” Jesus invited them to walk with Him and watch Him teach people about the kingdom of God. Along the way, Jesus also taught them and showed them how He is the Son of God. Then, Jesus gave them power and the task to share in the work of telling others about the kingdom of God.

Later on, these followers of Jesus had the opportunity to tell the world the good news about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The small group of disciples led to hundreds of followers; and after Jesus’ resurrection, the numbers grew into the thousands! Today, millions and even billions of people have received the invitation to trust in Jesus and follow Him.

Christ Connection: Jesus, the Son of God and true King of Israel, came to earth to show what God is like and to save people from their sins. He called disciples to follow Him. We are Jesus’ disciples when we trust in Him. We can invite everyone to come and see the good news about Jesus.

WATCH the Bible Story Video: Jesus Called His Disciples

LEARN the Scripture: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

PRAY as a Family: Jesus, You are the Son of God. You are the King who lived a perfect life, died as a sacrifice for sin, and rose again as the King above all kings. You have people to trust in You and become Your disciple. Help us to believe in that good news and to share it with the world who needs to hear it. Amen.

APPLY what you've learned: Learn the big picture question and answer and practice asking and answering randomly throughout the week together.

Q: How do we know God loves us?

A: We can know that God loves us because He sent His Son, Jesus.

READ the Scripture: John 3:1-21

TALK about the Scripture: If you’re needing a new toothbrush, you might want to check out the Reinast Titanium Luxury Toothbrush. This ordinary-looking toothbrush has a whopping price of $4,200, and it’s not even electric! While we all need a toothbrush, none of us would be able to afford such a great cost. We’ll just stick with our free toothbrush that comes with each dentist visit!

When Nicodemus came to talk with Jesus, he wanted to know how a person could receive new life. He studied the Law and tried his hardest to obey, and he hoped this would be enough to afford eternal life. Jesus’ response showed Nicodemus that no one could earn eternal life on their own because it came at a cost too great to afford.

This might sound like bad news, but Jesus gave us good news in the familiar words of John 3:16. He said, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

God paid the highest price by sending His own Son. When we could never earn eternal life, God has graciously given it as a free gift to all who believe in Jesus!

Christ Connection: Nicodemus needed new life—eternal life—but he could not do anything to earn it. Eternal life is a gift that comes only from God. God showed His love in this way: He sent His one and only Son to save the world. Everyone who believes in Him will not perish but will have eternal life.

WATCH the Bible Story Video: Jesus Told Nicodemus about Eternal Life

LEARN the Scripture: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

PRAY as a Family: God, Your love is bigger than we can even imagine. You loved the world enough to send Your own Son to save the world and to give eternal life to all who trust in Him. Thank You that even though we have nothing to offer for such a gift, You have made it available to anyone who believes in the name of Jesus.

APPLY what you've learned: Learn the big picture question and answer and practice asking and answering randomly throughout the week together.

Q: How do we know God loves us?

A: We can know that God loves us because He sent His Son, Jesus.

READ the Scripture: John 4:1-42

TALK about the Scripture: Millions of people around the world do not have access to safe drinking water. This lack of clean water causes economic problems, education issues, and health concerns for far too many. Christian aid groups are working hard to dig wells and provide clean water for those who need it, and they are doing it all in the name of Jesus because they know that He is everyone’s greatest need.

When Jesus met the woman at the well, He told her that whoever drinks from the water He offers will never thirst again. It might sound confusing, but Jesus was pointing to the gift of eternal life that comes through faith in Him. While we all need water to survive day by day, we need Jesus even more so that we can live eternally with Him.

When we trust in Jesus, we receive His Spirit, who is God living with us and in us. This means we can worship Him whenever and wherever, and it also means that we can have courage to tell others about Him wherever we go. Like those working to bring water to those in need, we can share the hope we have in Jesus with the world.

Christ Connection: Jesus offers something better than physical water; He gives us Himself. Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to everyone who comes to Him by faith. We can worship Him as Lord and Savior wherever we are.

WATCH the Bible Story Video: Jesus Told a Woman about Living Water

LEARN the Scripture: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

PRAY as a Family: Jesus, You are the Living Water who gives eternal life to all who believe in You. Just like our bodies need water to live, we need You to live eternally. Help us to trust in You as to One who gives life and worship You wherever we go. Amen.

APPLY what you've learned: Learn the big picture question and answer and practice asking and answering randomly throughout the week together.

Q: How do we know God loves us?

A: We can know that God loves us because He sent His Son, Jesus.