YOUTH GOAL ACTIVITY. TEMPTATION TRAPS AND ESCAPE ROUTES Brainstorm. Youth can realize how the Atonement and God’s words can keep us on His path. This brainstorm helps them view sticky tempting situations and their escape routes. They can prepare just as Joseph was prepared to escape the temptation of Potiphar’s wife. See the Talk “Fleeing Temptation” of Elder Rasband (HERE).
Great for COME FOLLOW ME, Young Women, Family Home Evening, Sunday School, Bible Study, and Seminary
LESSON LIFESAVERS Activity
Temptation Traps and Escapes Brainstorm
ACTIVITY: Have a brainstorm with youth to help them realize how the Atonement can help them if they know the traps and escape routes.
#1 Stack the set of cards facedown and divide youth into groups of three or four. As they draw two or more Temptation Trap cards, they can discuss with their group and write on the card the Escape Route cards (how they can overcome or combat that temptation).
#2 Report discussion and Escape Route to the class or family (if used for a family home evening).
TO MAKE print activity in color or black and white; then color. Cut out cards.
THOUGHT TREAT: Out-of-the-Box (graham cracker box). Frost the corner edges of graham crackers to build individual boxes.
Tell the youth that sin makes people feel boxed in, making it difficult for them to feel free. As we repent and avoid temptation traps, we exercise our right to the free agency Jesus and Heavenly Father want us to have. If we think ahead we can avoid being trapped by those who feel trapped themselves.
Read 3 Nephi 18:18-21.
“Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.
Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name;
And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.
Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed.”
“Traps of the adversary” are mentioned here
MUTUAL NIGHT OR FAMILY NIGHT ACTIVITIES:
TEMPTATION WEIGHT LIFTING:
Have a weight lifting class and discuss the weight Satan puts upon us if we accept his temptations. We have the power to push through (1 Nephi 15:24).
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER:
Ask youth what their Achilles’ heal is. (It is their vulnerable or weak spot.) See the story that follows*. Discuss common Achilles’ heels. Be willing to share yours as a leader. Mention that there are some we need not share but we should know what they are. Discuss the idea that knowledge is power. If we know we have a weakness, we can best combat it. Discuss some of the weaknesses brought up and what might be done to avoid them. Have someone come who has been successful at overcoming her Achilles’ heel (a major problem) who would be willing to share (e.g., drug abuse, smoking, anger, addiction to soap operas, etc.).
*Story and discussion: An old Greek legend tells of a young man who had only one vulnerable spot. Ask a class member to tell the story of Achilles.
Achilles [uh-KIL-eez] was one of the greatest heroes of Greek mythology. Soon after his birth, his mother, Thetis, dipped him in the River Styx, which according to legend would protect his body from harm. However, the water did not touch the heel by which Thetis held him. During the tenth year of the Trojan War, Paris shot an arrow into Achilles’ unprotected heel. Achilles died of the wound.
. What does it mean to have an Achilles heel? (To have a vulnerable or unprotected weakness.)
. How does Satan know our weaknesses? (He knows us from the premortal life.)
. How can we overcome our weaknesses?
Quotation: After the discussion, read the following quotation: “Satan knows all the tricks. He knows where we are susceptible to temptations and how to entice us to do evil. He and his messengers suggest evil, minimize the seriousness of sin, and make evil inviting” (ElRay L. Christiansen, “Q and A,” New Era, July 1975, p. 49).
Quotation and chalkboard: Assign a class member to list on the chalkboard each of the temptations mentioned as the following quotation is read aloud.
. “Now, the adversary knows that a little sin will not stay little, and he welcomes any and all into his kingdom by first trying to get us to lie a little, then helping us to try to justify ourselves in so doing or to cheat or to steal. Some folks are indeed induced to desecrate the Sabbath day until it becomes habitual with them. Some people begin with the use of liquor just to ‘relax a bit.’ Also, drug abuse, evil speaking, disobedience to parents, or deceiving one’s own companions—these are means he has of getting us to digress from the proper course. He knows full well that, if continued, such diversions soon result in regrets, sorrows, and losses, because they lead us into greater sinfulness.
. “No doubt one of the most infamous snares set out by the adversary is that of unchastity” Youtube video of this, click HERE (ElRay L. Christiansen, in Conference Report, Oct. 1974, p. 29; or Ensign, Nov. 1974, p. 24).
(The above story discussion was taken from the Young Women Manual 1, lesson 28)
Color #1 BALLOON BOUNCE AND Color #2 BALLOON STOMP: Give each youth two different colored balloons to blow up and tie. Have them write PURITY on one balloon and TEMPTATION on the other.
BALLOON BRAINSTORM
1. PURITY Balloon Bounce. Have youth write PURITY in big bold caps with a permanent marker pen. Then write two or more ACTIONS THAT INVITE PURITY on your balloon (see ideas below*). Then have them bounce their balloons in the air and say what their actions are.
2. TEMPTATION Balloon Stomp. Have youth write TEMPTATION on their other balloon and write what temptations they may encounter that would invite you not to choose pure actions. Then write what you might say when temptation comes to you (see SAY NO TO TEMPTATIONS below**).
STOMP OUT TEMPTATION.
Tell the youth that we can “help” stomp out temptation by living the gospel (by choosing “pure” actions). Tie a 25″ – 30″ string to the TEMPTATION balloon and then to the youth’s ankles (with shoes off). At the “Go, stomp out temptation!” request from leader, youth stomp out their own balloon or the other person’s balloon.
*ACTIONS THAT INVITE PURITY: Dress modestly; Have a before the midnight curfew. Think pure thoughts; Watch wholesome movies; Date those with Church standards, Do group dates; Invite intellectual conversation; Invite wholesome conversation; Make a list of boundaries and stick to them; Follow standards; Obey parents; Come home from dates early; Get enough rest; Read the scriptures or Church magazines; Pray, Attend church; Serve others; Listen to the Spirit; Listen to the prophet or conference talks, etc.).
**SAY NO TO TEMPTATIONS: “No way!” “Get thee behind me Satan!” “Heck no!” “I put on the whole armor of God.” “I heed not!” “I have made a covenant not to.” “I must not!” “I lust not!” “I hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matt. 5:6). “Blessed are obedient.” “I hate evil!” “I love the Lord.” “Sin is worthless.” “Sin is ugly.” “God will win this battle as I say ‘no’.” I am blessed as I endure”(James 1:12). “My heart is full as I choose peace of mind.”
Source: YW1.28
THIS ACTIVITY CAN BE USED FOR Come Follow Me
• MARCH Lesson 7 “How can the Savior help me during my trials?”
• SEPTEMBER Lesson 6 “Why is it important to be honest?”
• NOVEMBER LESSON 7 “How can I find solutions to my challenges and problems?”
MORE LESSON IDEAS:
Ephesians 6:11-13:
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Wonderful Ideas and beautiful graphics!!!