(10 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will discuss the difference between trials and temptations.
Provide a dry erase board and marker.
Learning Goal: Students will identify how they can respond to trials in ways that help mature their faith.
Ask: What is the difference between trials and temptations? Allow students 30 seconds to discuss their answers with a neighbor. When time is up, encourage students to share their answers. Explain that the terms trials implies a dilemma posed by an outside source (like persecution or difficult circumstances outside of their control) and that the term temptations implies a struggle within our hearts to sin (like sexual purity or greed).
Ask: What are some trials that believers might experience from an outside source? List responses on the board. (Possible answers: Trials that could come from situations such as having a non-Christian parent, being on a date, having a coach with high expectations, or needing a scholarship to go to college.) After students have named several trials from outside forces, ask: As a result of these trials, what temptations to sin might be encountered? (Examples: if someone is expected to perform highly in a sport, he or she could be tempted to use steroids or something else that could artificially help in competition.) Write the temptation beside its corresponding trial on the board.
Next, ask: What would responses to this temptation look like:
Encourage students to examine how their faith would be affected by each of the responses to temptation. Allow a couple of minutes for discussion. Then, ask: How could your faith be matured in situations like these? After discussion, say: When we are able to overcome temptation and persevere through trials, our faith matures and helps us to become more and more like Christ. Conclude by praying that students will respond to trials and temptations by trusting in the Holy Spirit for guidance and believing the promises of God, so they can grow stronger in their faith in God and their trust in Him.