Into the Wilderness, by Eva Koleva Timothy

January 30–February 5

Matthew 4; Luke 4–5

“The Spirit of the Lord Is upon Me”

Start your preparation for this lesson by reading Matthew 4 and Luke 4–5. Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families can help you understand these chapters, and this outline can give you teaching ideas.

Invite Sharing

Ask the children to pass a picture of Jesus from one child to the next. As each child holds the picture, invite him or her to share something that Jesus did when He was on earth.

Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children

Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13

I can choose the right as Jesus did.

Little children “cannot sin” (Doctrine and Covenants 29:47). However, the account of Jesus resisting Satan’s temptations can inspire the children to choose the right.

Possible Activities

• Tell the story of Jesus’s temptations from Matthew 4:1–11. (See also “Chapter 11: Jesus Is Tempted,” in New Testament Stories, 30–31, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org.) At appropriate points in the story, ask, “What do you think Jesus should do?”

• Display a picture of Jesus Christ, and then describe choices a young child might make. Ask the children to take a step toward the picture each time you describe a good choice. Ask them to take a step away from it each time you describe a bad choice.

• Help the children learn the words to a song about making good choices, such as “Choose the Right Way” (Children’s Songbook, 160–61). Use pictures, objects, or other visual aids that relate to the lyrics.

Luke 4:18–19

Jesus Christ is my Savior.

Luke 4:18–19 describes Jesus’s mission. How can you help the children appreciate what He has done for them?

Possible Activities

• Read Luke 4:18–19 to the children, and explain what Jesus Christ was sent to earth to do (to teach us how to return to Heavenly Father, to comfort us, and to heal people). Share how He has done these things for you.

• Invite a few children to pretend to be confused, sad, or sick. Ask the other children to role-play what they could do to help them. Testify that Jesus Christ came to teach, comfort, and heal us and that we should follow His example.

• Show pictures of Jesus fulfilling His mission (see Gospel Art Book). Ask the children to describe what Jesus is doing in each picture. Also show pictures of people trying to be like Jesus (you might find some in Church magazines).

Matthew 4:18–22; Luke 5:1–11

Jesus Christ invites us to be “fishers of men.”

The Savior’s call, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19), applies to everyone, including children.

Possible Activities

• Invite two children to pretend to be Simon Peter and Andrew as you read Matthew 4:18–22. Help the children identify what these men gave up to follow Jesus.

• Let the children take turns telling the story from these verses using the picture below and in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families.

• Sing together a song about following Jesus Christ, such as “I Will Follow God’s Plan” (Children’s Songbook, 164). Help the children find things mentioned in the song that they can do to follow Jesus.

• Use this week’s activity page to discuss with the children how they can be “fishers of men” by following Jesus. You could also play a matching game with the activity page. Cut out two copies of each fish, place them facedown, and invite the children to turn them over one at a time to make a match.

Christ Calling Two Disciples, by Gary Ernest Smith

Teach the Doctrine: Older Children

Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13

Jesus set the example for me by resisting temptation.

Even Jesus Christ was tempted by Satan, but He never gave in. How can you help the children follow His example?

Possible Activities

• Make a chart on the board labeled Satan’s Temptations and Jesus’s Responses. Help the children fill in the chart using Matthew 4:1–11 and Luke 4:1–13. Ask the children how they can follow Jesus’s example.

• Write down some scenarios in which a child might be tempted to make a wrong choice. Let a child select one to read, and ask the children to talk about how they could resist temptation in that situation.

Matthew 4:1–2

Fasting can help me feel close to Heavenly Father.

Before beginning His ministry, Jesus fasted and “communed with God” (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 4:2 [in Matthew 4:2, footnote c]). Help the children see how fasting can give them spiritual strength and help them feel close to Heavenly Father.

Possible Activities

• Invite a child to read Matthew 4:1–2 using the Joseph Smith Translation revisions found in the footnotes. What did Jesus do to “be with God”? Share how fasting has helped you feel closer to Heavenly Father.

• Invite children who have fasted before to share their experiences. How would they explain fasting to someone who has never fasted before?

• Write questions about fasting (such as why, when, or how we fast) on pieces of paper, and place them in a bowl. Invite children to pick a question and try to answer it. What experiences can you or the children share about fasting?

Luke 4:16–22, 28–30

Jesus Christ is my Savior.

Ponder how the Savior has blessed your life. How can you help the children better appreciate His influence in their lives?

Possible Activities

• Invite a child to come to class prepared to share the account in Luke 4:16–30. It might be helpful to use “Chapter 17: Angry People in Nazareth” (in New Testament Stories, 42–43, or the corresponding video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org). You could also show the video “Jesus Declares He Is the Messiah” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

• Read Luke 4:18 while the children follow along. Ask them to create a list of things the Savior said He came to do. Invite the children to share examples of times when Christ did these things, either in the scriptures or in their lives.

• Write on strips of paper the words “Because of Jesus Christ …” Give a paper to each child, and invite them to write how they would complete the phrase. Let them share what they wrote.

Matthew 4:18–22; Luke 5:1–11

Jesus Christ invites us to follow Him and to be “fishers of men.”

There are many ways children can follow the Savior and be “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). How will you help them see the good influence they can be on others?

Possible Activities

• Invite the children to read Matthew 4:18–22 and Luke 5:1–11. How did Jesus’s disciples respond to His call to follow Him? What can we do to follow their example?

• Show the children some fishing equipment or a picture of a fisherman. What does it mean to be “fishers of men”? What tools do we have to help us be fishers of men?

Encourage Learning at Home

Invite the children to share with their families what they learned about being fishers of men.

Improving Our Teaching

Children can recognize the Spirit’s influence. Teach the children that the feelings of peace, love, and warmth they have when they talk or sing about Jesus Christ and His gospel come from the Holy Ghost. These feelings can build their testimonies.