(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will discuss ways to respond to both trials and temptations.
Provide a dry erase board and markers.
Ask: What is the difference between trials and temptations? Allow learners thirty seconds to discuss their answers with a neighbor. When time is up, encourage learners 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 we might experience from an outside source? List responses on the board. (Answers might include relationships with non-Christians, having a boss with high expectations, needing money for a medical emergency, spending too many hours on the computer) After learners have named several trials from outside forces, encourage them to identify a temptation to sin that could come about as a result of this trial. (Examples: Needing money for a medical emergency might tempt someone to steal; spending too many hours on the computer might tempt them to view inappropriate websites.) Write the temptation beside its corresponding trial on the board.
Next, ask: What would responses to this temptation look like (1) if you gave in to the temptation, or (2) if you persevered in your faith, asked the Holy Spirit for guidance, and did not give in to the temptation? Encourage learners 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 grow stronger in situations like these? Emphasize that as we trust in the Holy Spirit for guidance and believe in the promises of God, we grow stronger in our faith in God and our trust in Him. 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.