Jesus is tested (Matthew 4:1-11)
Today's story talks about Jesus is tested in the desert, as the devil places three temptations before him.
Input for leadersGospel Conversations 2023 (Diocese of Dunedin) Year A Lent 1
This week our panel tackle the strange and wonderful story of Jesus in the desert being tempted by Satan. They explore connections to our lives, to our world, and to the whole Gospel of Matthew. |
Repentance and Freedom
Wellington Diocese has created video Lent series over the last few years, and below are two videos from Bishop Ana Fletcher (2026) and Bishop Ellie Sanderson (2023) |
Intergenerational Worship
Session starters
Kids TalksTemptation (Bible Explore) - an retelling of the story with props.
A kids talk on Matthew 4:1-11 (Gary Neal Hansen) - a retelling of the story with a focus on bullying. Questions
Activities
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Trust Walk Obstacle Activity
You will need: Blindfolds and safe obstacles (chairs, tables, cushions) Option 1: Older Children — Partner Trust Walk
Option 2: Younger Children — Follow the Leader
Cup Stack GameThis game can be played as an upfront game or everyone can participate, either at the same time or as a relay.
What you need:
What you do:
After the game is over, you can ask something like, "Was this an easy thing to do?" Some people might have found it easy, but for some it might have been hard to work so quickly. Ask, "Were you tempted to cheat by taking more than 1 cup at a time?". Say something like, "It's good that you didn't cheat! God doesn't want us to give in to temptation and cheat, even when things get hard!" We can remember how Jesus resisted temptation in the desert and we can try and do the same. |
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Jesus calls the disciples (Matthew 4:12-23)
Today we will hear about how Jesus chose ordinary, everyday people to help Him teach other people about God’s love. They weren’t special, or very clever, or very talented. They were just people! Can you think of some ways that you can be a fisher of men too?
Input for leadersGospel Conversations 2026 (Diocese of Dunedin) -
We're into our holiday-time mode of conversation now until the end of January. Less structured, friends gathering for a chat about readings from Advent 4 to the end of January. |
Visio Lectio
Free downloadable image by Sarah Lea West. All Rights Reserved, shared and distributed with permission. Terms of use Download Sarah Lea West Art 
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Intergenerational Worship
Kids TalksJesus calls the disciples (All Saints Hataitai) - an interactive unpacking of the bible story using props and questions to engage the kids.
This talk was shared with the children at All Saints Hataitai, by unpacking the story of Jesus calling the disciples piece by piece. As the story was unpacked, the children were engaged and responsive to the different props. Each prop is taken out of the box and placed in a consecutive order on the floor. Once the story had been told, all the props were put back in the box and the children recalled the story and remembered the visual cues for each part.
What you need
Tell the story
Take out the MONEY Once there was a man who had a job. Can you think of different jobs that you can have to earn money? (let children offer ideas) What job would you like to have when you're an adult? This man had a job -- can you guess what it was? Take out the CAN OF TUNA. This man was a fisherman! What do you think he would look like? What do you think he would smell like? He might have rough salty hands, and smell of the sea and fish? The man in this story was called Simon. Take out SIMON FOOTPRINT. He had a brother called Andrew. Take out ANDREW FOOTPRINT. Their job was to catch fish. Take out FISHING NET and put lots of FISH SHAPES into the net. One day they were out fishing and minding their own business when someone came walking along the shore of Lake Galilee. 
Take out CANDLE and light it.
Who do you think it was? Wait for answers until someone guesses it was Jesus. Jesus saw the two brothers out fishing on the lake, as they were casting their nets out and hoping for fish. Jesus said to them, “Come with me! I will teach you how to bring in people instead of fish.” Take out FISHING NET and SMILEY FACE BALLS. Give a kid the net and throw the balls into the net for them to catch. And what did the two brothers do? Did they go back to fishing? Did they jump on Facebook to let the world know? No, at once the two brothers dropped their nets and went with him. Simon and Andrew followed Jesus. Place down two footprints — SIMON FOOTPRINT and ANDREW FOOTPRINT. Jesus walked on until he saw James and John. Their dad had a great name - his name was Zebedee! They were in a boat with their father, mending their nets. Jesus asked them to come with him too. Straight away they left the boat and their father and went with Jesus. Place down two footprints — JAMES FOOTPRINT and JOHN FOOTPRINT. Jesus went all over Galilee, teaching in the Jewish meeting places and preaching the good news about God's kingdom. He also healed every kind of disease and sickness. These men became some of Jesus' closest friends, and Jesus even changed Simon's name — became known as Peter. Flip over the 2nd Simon footprint to show PETER FOOTPRINT And do you know what Peter stands for? Peter can mean Rock -- and he was called rock because he would become an important person on which God built the church. Even though he made some mistakes and made some funny choices, Jesus loved Peter and knew that he would be someone he could trust. Take out ROCK** Put all the props back in the box and see if the children can recall who the story unfolds. 
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More Kids TalksJesus calls the first disciples (Gary Neal Hansen) - a retelling of the story
Fishers of men (Sunday School Works) - God calls us to share the good news with others. Uses fishing props. Jesus' ordinary disciples (RFour) - whether we are ordinary or extraordinary, Jesus tells us e can follow him and do the things he did. Fishing for people (Sermons 4 Kids) Activities
Fishing Game You will need - a net, or multiple depending on the number of children; small balls -- we used smiley face stress balls, which were soft and fun! We got them from the $2 shop. This is a good game to follow the story of Jesus meeting Simon and Andrew, and calling them to catch people instead of fish. Place one child at a distance holding a net -- they are the fisherman. Line up the other children and give each child a ball to throw into the net, while the 'fisherman' catches it. You can make up your own variations of this game, depending on the age of your children, time and space you have! Fish Craft You will need - cardboard or paper shapes, coloured tissue paper, pens, stickers, glue to decorate, tape, dowels or sticks Print out copies of the fish template and get kids to decorate with coloured tissue paper, pens, glue, sequins and anything they like! Tape on a length of string and tie to a stick, so they have a fish on their own fishing rod. PrayerLoving God,
Help us to become good fishers of people. Help us to share Jesus with them, in the words we use, the ways we love and care. Help us to tell others about you and to have the courage to speak about you. May our church be a community of welcome and belonging, and one we can invite our friends into. Amen Preschool Play Tell the story - A simple retelling:
John was standing by the road one day. He looked up and said, “Look! Look! It’s Jesus — God’s special one!” Two friends heard John say, “Look!” So they followed… follow, follow, follow. Jesus turned around and smiled. “Who are you looking for?” he asked. They said, “Teacher, where are you staying?” Jesus said, “Come and see.” So they followed… follow, follow, follow. They walked with Jesus. They stayed with Jesus. They spent the day with Jesus. One friend was called Andrew. Andrew ran to his brother and said, “We found Jesus! Come and see!” And his brother came too. And he followed… follow, follow, follow. Jesus invites us, “Come and see.” We can follow Jesus every day. Follow the Leader - play follow the leader and get the kids to do the actions you do. Take turns being the the leader. Talk about: I wonder why people wanted to follow Jesus? Who is someone you like to follow (like a parent or friend)? I wonder what it feels like to be a friend of Jesus? Light Station - you will need toy lamb (or lamb pictures), Flashlights or battery tea lights, white paper and crayons. Children can cuddle the lamb toy and explore light with the torches: shining light on the paper, tracing shadows, watching light “come alive.” Talk about how John called Jesus the Lamb of God and how Jesus is the light of the world. I wonder what it means that Jesus is a light? I wonder how Jesus helps us see love and kindness? Names and New Friends - Materials: Large paper with outlines of faces or simple name tags, crayons, stickers. Invite children to draw a face or decorate a name tag for themselves and for “Peter.” Talk about how Jesus gave Simon a new name: Peter — a name like a gift! I wonder why Jesus gave Simon a new name? I wonder what it means to be a friend of Jesus? Pray - Gather in a small circle with the lamb toy or a soft light (battery candle). Pass the toy/light around gently — as each child touches or holds it, say: “Thank you, God, for Jesus -- the Lamb of God, the light of the world, the friend who loves me.” |
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