Fighting Distractions

Temptation Tower

This game is a fun, lighthearted way to break the ice while tying in with the theme of temptation. You’ll need: one bag of large marshmallows, one bag of mini chocolate bars or wrapped candy, and plastic cups or paper plates (one per group or player). This works best with small groups of 3–5 or as an upfront challenge with a few volunteers.

Here’s how it works: each team gets a plate, 10 marshmallows, and 10 candies. Their goal is to build the tallest tower possible using only the marshmallows and the wrapped candies. They can’t use their hands to hold the tower once time is up—it has to stand on its own. Give them 5 minutes to build. The catch? Every 30 seconds, offer a silly “temptation,” like “eat one of your marshmallows,” or “trade your tallest piece for a small one.” The team can choose to do it or not—it’s up to them. Once time’s up, see which tower stands the tallest.

Some suggestions:

• You can only use one hand for the next minute.
• Trade your tallest marshmallow for the smallest one.
• Let someone from another team remove one piece from your tower.
• Eat one of your building pieces—your choice.
• Start over using only your non-dominant hand.
• Add one piece to your tower… with your eyes closed.
• Pause for 30 seconds before doing anything else.
• Give away two candies to the team next to you.
• One teammate must sit out for the rest of the round.
• You may take a “shortcut” by taping pieces together… but you’ll be disqualified from winning.
• Tell a silly joke or sing a song to earn one extra marshmallow—up to you.
• Steal a piece from the team next to you.
• Balance a piece on your nose for 10 seconds to win back a stolen piece.

After the game, ask a few follow-up questions:

• What was tempting about the suggestions?
• Did your team give in to any of the temptations?
• Was it harder to finish the tower with all the distractions?

Alright, that was fun—and maybe a little chaotic! But the game actually points us to something real. Just like you had to choose between building your tower and giving in to silly temptations, we have choices like that every day. Some are funny. Some are hard. But every choice shapes what we’re building in life.

Temptation doesn’t always feel serious. Sometimes it seems like a joke or just a small thing. But even little distractions can pull us away from what’s good and true. And when we’re not paying attention, it’s easy to lose focus. That’s why it’s important to talk about it.

Today we’re going to look at a moment when Jesus faced temptation. It wasn’t a game for him—but it does show us something important. He stayed strong. He didn’t give in. And he showed us how we can do the same. Let’s take a look at Matthew 4:1-11 and see what we can learn.

Read Matthew 4:1-11 (Jesus’ Temptation in the Desert), the Gospel for the 1st Sunday of Lent Year A:

At that time Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.

He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.”

He said in reply, “It is written: One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”

Then the devil took him to the holy city, and made him stand on the parapet of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you and with their hands they will support you, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”

Jesus answered him, “Again it is written, You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.”

Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, “”All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.”

At this, Jesus said to him, “Get away, Satan! It is written: The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.”

Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him.

Let’s talk about temptation. Not the big, movie-style kind with dramatic music and flashing lights. I mean the everyday stuff. The kind that slips into your life quietly. It shows up when you’re bored. When you’re tired. When you’re feeling left out, angry, or unsure of yourself. Temptation is sneaky. It doesn’t always look bad. In fact, it often looks like something that will make you feel better fast. That’s how the enemy works. He doesn’t show up looking scary. He shows up looking helpful—like a shortcut.

In Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus goes out into the desert. He’s not there for a short trip. He spends forty days fasting and praying. That’s a long time. He’s alone. He’s hungry. He’s physically weak. And that’s exactly when the devil comes to tempt him. The enemy waits until Jesus is tired and vulnerable. He knows that’s when it’s easiest to mess with someone’s heart and mind. Sound familiar? That’s often when we’re tempted too.

The first temptation the devil throws at Jesus is about comfort. He says, “Turn these stones into bread.” Jesus is starving. He easily could have done what the devil asked. But he doesn’t. He says, “Man does not live by bread alone.” In other words, Jesus knows there’s more to life than just filling our stomachs or chasing after comfort. Think about when you’re stressed or tired—do you reach for your phone, snacks, or a show to make you feel better? It’s easy to want a quick fix. But Jesus reminds us that those things don’t really feed our souls. Only God can do that.

Then comes the second temptation. The devil takes Jesus to the top of the temple and says, “Jump off. God will catch you.” It sounds strange, but it’s really about showing off. The devil is tempting Jesus to make a big, flashy move so that everyone will notice him. But Jesus says, “Don’t test God.” Sometimes we want to do things just to get attention. We want to be noticed. We want the likes, the praise, the spotlight. Maybe we post something online just to get approval. Or we act a certain way in front of others to look cool. But Jesus doesn’t play that game. He knows who he is without having to prove anything to anyone. That’s a lesson we all need.

The third temptation is about control. The devil shows Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and says, “Worship me, and I’ll give it all to you.” He’s offering Jesus power, success, and fame. But Jesus says no again. He says, “Worship God alone.” Our world tells us that being important is what matters. Being popular. Being first. Being in charge. But Jesus teaches something different. He says it’s better to serve than to rule. It’s better to be faithful than to be famous. That’s not always an easy message to follow, but it’s the one that leads to real joy.

So what does all this mean for you? It means the enemy still tries the same tricks today. He wants to distract you from what’s good. He wants to pull you away from God. He’ll use anything—comfort, attention, power. But Jesus shows us a better way. He faces each temptation with prayer and Scripture. He stays close to God. He doesn’t argue with the devil. He doesn’t panic. He just stays steady and focused on what matters most.

And you can too. Temptation isn’t something you beat by being perfect. You fight it by staying connected to Jesus. Read Scripture. Pray honestly. Talk to people you trust. Stay close to the truth. When you feel pulled toward something that feels good but isn’t right, stop and think. Ask yourself: what would Jesus do? He wouldn’t just follow his feelings. He’d follow the Father.

Jesus knows what it’s like to be tempted. He’s been there. He understands. And he’s not far away—he’s right with you, ready to help you through it. You’re never alone in this fight. Stay strong. Stay close to God. And remember, even in your weakest moments, Jesus is with you. He’s already shown you the way.

Before you begin the small group discussion, remind the youth that this is a space to be honest and respectful. Let them know it’s okay if they don’t have all the answers. What matters most is that they listen to one another and speak from the heart. Encourage them to think about how the Scripture connects to their own lives. Don’t rush through the questions—take time where the group has more to say.

• What are some temptations teens face today that try to pull them away from God?
• Have you ever been tempted to do something just to feel better quickly? What happened?
• What are some things people chase to feel important or noticed?
• When you feel alone, tired, or stressed, what do you usually turn to?
• Jesus used Scripture to stay strong. What Bible verses help you when you feel weak or tempted?
• Why do you think the devil waited until Jesus was weak and alone to tempt him?
• What are some ways we can stay close to God every day?
• How can we help each other fight temptation as a group of friends or a faith community?
• Have you ever made a good choice even when it was hard? What helped you stay strong?
• What does it mean to trust God more than your feelings in the moment?

Here’s your challenge for the week: notice when temptation shows up in your everyday life. It probably won’t look big or obvious. It might be a small choice, like whether to talk behind someone’s back, skip your prayers, or ignore someone who needs help. When that moment comes, stop and ask yourself, “Is this leading me closer to God or pulling me away?” You don’t have to be perfect—just try to be honest with yourself.

Here are a few ways to live this out. First, pick one Scripture verse from the lesson and write it somewhere you’ll see it—your phone, your notebook, or your mirror. Let it remind you of the truth when you’re struggling. Second, take five minutes each day to sit quietly and talk to God about whatever is on your mind. And third, if you see a friend facing a tough choice, speak up. Be the kind of person who helps others stay on the right path. You’ve got this—and Jesus is right there with you.

Let’s take a moment to quiet our hearts and talk to God. You don’t need fancy words. Just be real with Him. Close your eyes if that helps you focus.

God,
Thank you for being with us, even when life feels hard.
Thank you for showing us how Jesus stayed strong when he was tempted.
Help us to remember that we’re not alone when we face pressure, stress, or tough choices.
Teach us to listen for your voice instead of the noise around us.
When we feel pulled away from you, remind us of what’s true.
Give us the courage to say no to temptation and yes to your love.
Help us look out for each other and support one another in making good choices.
We want to stay close to you this week.
We love you, Lord. Amen.

Themes

• Resisting daily temptation: Jesus shows how to face temptation without giving in. Youth learn that they can do the same with God’s help. Saying no is part of growing in faith.
• Strength through Scripture: Jesus uses God’s word to stay strong. Youth see how Scripture can guide them in hard moments. It helps them know what is right.
• Importance of prayer: Jesus prays before facing temptation. Prayer gives us strength and peace. It keeps us close to God.
• Trusting God’s plan: Jesus doesn’t take shortcuts. He trusts the Father’s way, even when it’s hard. We are called to do the same.
• Jesus understands us: Jesus was truly human and felt real hunger and weakness. He knows what we go through. He walks with us in our struggles.
• Staying focused on God: The enemy tries to distract Jesus. He stays focused on the Father. Youth learn how to avoid distractions and stay on track.
• Avoiding pride and show: The devil tempts Jesus to show off. Jesus stays humble and faithful. We are reminded that we don’t need to prove ourselves to the world.
• Choosing love over power: Jesus refuses fame and control. He chooses to serve and love. We are called to live like Him.
• Real freedom in obedience: Jesus is free because He follows God. Obedience may seem hard but leads to joy. It keeps us grounded in truth.
• Spiritual battles are real: The fight against temptation is not just in stories. It happens in everyday life. We need faith and support to stay strong.
• Jesus as our example: Jesus leads the way by His actions. He shows how to live with faith, courage, and trust. We can follow His example in all things.

Background Material

The story of Jesus being tempted in the desert is found in Matthew 4:1-11. It comes right after Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River. The Holy Spirit leads Him into the desert to pray and fast for forty days. During this time, the devil shows up and tries to tempt Him. This moment is important because it shows that Jesus, though He is the Son of God, still faced real struggles. He was hungry, tired, and alone. The temptations were real. But Jesus did not give in.

This story reminds us that temptation is part of the human experience. Even Jesus went through it. The Church teaches that temptation is not a sin. What matters is how we respond to it. Jesus shows us how to respond—with Scripture, trust in God, and prayer. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “By the solemn forty days of Lent the Church unites herself each year to the mystery of Jesus in the desert” (CCC 540). This shows how important this moment is to our faith life. It is not just a story. It is something we enter into, especially during Lent.

The three temptations of Jesus connect to many struggles we face today. The first is about comfort—turning stones into bread. This is about the desire to fix problems quickly or to always feel good. The second is about pride—jumping from the temple so angels will catch Him. This is about wanting attention or trying to prove ourselves. The third is about power—worshiping the devil to gain the world. This is about choosing success over faith. Jesus says no to all of these. He chooses God each time. He shows that being faithful is more important than being comfortable, popular, or in control.

Catholic teaching tells us that we are in a spiritual battle. Saint Paul writes in Ephesians 6:11, “Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” We are not meant to fight alone. We have God’s word, prayer, and the sacraments to help us. We also have each other. Being part of the Church means we support one another when life gets hard.

The Catechism also teaches that “There is a certain usefulness to temptation. No one but God knows what our soul has received from him, not even we ourselves. But temptation reveals it in order to teach us to know ourselves, and in this way we discover our evil inclinations and are obliged to give thanks for the goods that temptation has revealed to us.” (CCC 2847). This means temptation helps us see where we need to grow in gratitude. It can help us become stronger and more honest with God. It teaches us to rely on grace, not just our own strength.

This lesson plan helps young people see that temptation is something they will face, just like Jesus did. It gives them tools to respond with faith. It connects their lives to the life of Jesus. It reminds them that with prayer, Scripture, and support from the Church, they can stay strong and close to God.

Music Suggestions

• Your Grace Is Enough by Matt Maher
• Christ in Me Arise by Trevor Thomson
• Desert Song by by Brooke Ligertwood

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

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Check out our full collection at Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections. You’ll find activities, games, and questions that work for middle school and high school students. It’s all simple to use and easy to adapt to your group.