(10 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will discuss who should be blamed for the temptation to sin.
Learning Goal: Students will examine how true faith is strengthened and matured through trials and temptations.
Ask: When we do something that displeases God, why do we like to blame someone else for making us sin? Encourage students to share their thoughts. Enlist a student to read Genesis 3:8–13. Direct students to describe how Adam and Eve reacted when God confronted them with their sin. Emphasize that they both ignored their personal responsibility and blamed someone or something else for their sinful decisions. Say: Since that first sin, humanity has been looking for someone to blame for our sinful nature.
Ask: Why do some people think that God is to blame for our temptation to sin? Allow students to share answers briefly. (Possible answers: Since He created all things, He must have created temptation. He did it in order to expose people’s true intentions.) Enlist a student to read James 1:13 and 16–17. Then, say: The truth is that God cannot be tempted, nor does He tempt anyone. Ask: If God does not give tempt us to do evil, where do temptations come from? (evil desires within our own heart)
Ask: According to this passage of Scripture, what does God give? (every good and perfect gift) Point out that because God is the Giver of all good things, we can trust that He loves us and wants what’s best for us. Say: Knowing that can really make it easier for us to persevere through whatever temptations come our way.