Jesus=Victory in Every Battle

Day 1-Victory Over Temptation and Sin

  • Pray.
  • Put some of your kids’ favorite candy right in front of them, but tell them that they can’t have any.
  • Ask, “What battles or struggles take place in the world today?”
  • Explain what temptation is: considering or causing to consider doing something that is wrong or unwise. Have them explain what they are tempted about right now (eating the candy even though mom/dad said “no”.) Let them have some candy and then put it away so they aren’t tempted during the lesson!
  • Help your kids understand that most of the battles we face will not be fought with an army on an actual battlefield with big, strong men carrying big, strong weapons. Most of our battles will be in our minds as we fight against temptation and sin. Our struggles won’t always be against another country or army, but they might be struggles against fear or illness or differing opinions.
  • Read Ephesians 6:10-12. Have older kids highlight these verses in their Bibles.
  • Read Matthew 4:1-11.
  • Discuss
    • What battle did Jesus face? Who was His enemy?
    • What were the three temptations Jesus faced?
    • How did Jesus respond when He was tempted (quoted Scripture and rebuked the devil [verse 10])?
    • What does Jesus teach us about how to overcome our temptation battles?
    • Today you will be tempted. Can you recognize it when it comes? Remember that you are in a battle when temptation comes. So, make sure you have on the full armor of God.
  • Read Ephesians 6:13-18. Underline these verses in your Bibles.
  • Read 1 Corinthians 10:13. Underline this verse in your Bibles.
  • Discuss
    • How does this verse make you feel?
    • What do we learn about God from this verse?
    • Whom should we rely on in our battles?
    • What guarantee is made in this verse?
  • Activity

Day 2-Victory Over Trials

  • Pray.
  • Review what you read yesterday about Jesus overcoming temptation and sin. Remind them that when we face temptation, it is really a battle against Satan. We must be ready for battle by putting on our full armor of God.
  • Review the memory passage from Ephesians 6.
  • Today we will read about Jesus facing battles against other people.
  • Ask, “What kind of struggles do you have with other people?” Hint: Think about getting along with your brothers and sisters and friends.
  • Today we will be looking at all four gospels. Ask your kids what books make up the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Remind them that the gospels tell about Jesus’ life on earth. Explain to them that Jesus had been doing many miracles (things that only God can do), and he had been teaching people about God and how they should live. Many people loved hearing what Jesus taught and became His followers. However, there were a lot of people who became angry at Jesus’ claims and His teaching.
  • As you read the following passages, have your kids listen for the following:
    • Who is involved?
    • What is happening?
    • When did this happen (all of this took place before Jesus’ death on the cross)?
    • Where was this happening?
    • Why was there conflict?
    • How does Jesus’ respond to the conflict?
  • Read the following in order:
    • Matthew 12:9-16
    • John 10:24-33 (you can also summarize John 10:34-39)
    • Luke 22:1-6 (you may also want to read Mark 14:17-21)
    • Mark 14:32-42
  • Ask, “How can we follow Jesus’ example when we have conflict with others or face hardships that come our way?”

Day 3-Victory Over Death, Part 1

  • Pray.
  • Review the memory passage from Ephesians 6.
  • Ask, “Can you think of a time that you played a game or watched a game that had a great ending? What made it so great?”
  • Today and tomorrow we will be reading about the greatest victory that has ever happened.
  • Discuss with your kids the reasons that we need Jesus. Why did He come to earth? Why did He have to die? For younger kids, you can answer these questions for them. Have older kids answer them for themselves.
  • Read the following verses:
    • Romans 3:23
    • Romans 6:23
    • John 3:16-17
  • Explain that after Jesus was betrayed by Judas and was arrested, He was brought before Jewish and Roman leaders to be tried to determine what would happen to Him (John 18).
  • Read what happens next in John 19. Have your kids picture in their minds what you are reading from God’s Word. If you have one who needs to have his/her hands occupied in order to listen better, have him/her draw a picture of what you are reading.
  • Don’t ask too many questions after reading today, just let them think on it.
  • As you go about your day today, pray that God will help your children understand the love He has for them-that He would willingly lay down His life to save them.

Day 4-Victory Over Death, Part 2

  • Pray.
  • Review the memory passage.
  • Ask, “What thoughts and/or feelings did you have yesterday as we read about Jesus’ death on the cross?”
  • The story isn’t over yet! Read about the best comeback in history in Matthew 27:57-28:10.
  • Explain that when Jesus rose from the dead, he beat death-He won the ultimate battle! Our sin separates us from God, but Jesus made a way, the only way, to get back to God. He he died the death we should have died (Romans 6:23), and He offers each of us pardon for our sin and salvation. Instead of being separated from Him for eternity, He died and rose again so that we could have life with Him forever (John 10:10 and John 20:31)!
  • Activity
    • Draw a picture or use watercolors to paint the glory that must have been when Jesus rose from the grave.
  • For some great resources on leading your child to Christ, check out the links below.

Day 5-Victory for Eternity

  • Pray.
  • Record your children saying the entire memory passage and send it to grandparents or someone else who would enjoy watching your sweet kiddos.
  • Ask, “What Bible battle that we have read about has been your favorite or the most interesting or the most exciting? Why?”
  • Ask, “What truth do you think you will remember? What has God been speaking to your heart about?”
  • Read John 16:33. Talk about it.
  • Read Romans 8:31, 35, 37-39.
  • Ask, “What can separate us from the love of God?” NOTHING! The love that God has for us was demonstrated to us through Jesus. (Romans 5:8) And because of Jesus, we have victory (1 John 5:4).
  • Activity
    • To show how you are probably feeling after reading about so many battles in the Bible and learning how Jesus is the ultimate champion, watch this famous scene from Rocky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12-D3sOc0vc.