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It Is Written

Satan’s sneakiest two-letter word, a hometown crowd that turned furious, and fishermen who dropped everything

  • ⭐ Valiant 9–10
  • Week 5
  • 📅 Sunday, January 31, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Jesus Christ knew who He was and answered every temptation with the scriptures, and when I know God’s word and trust Him, I can resist evil and follow Him straightway.

I can arm myself with scriptures I know, remember I am a child of God, and follow Jesus even when I don’t understand everything yet.

Study it yourself firstRead Matthew 4; Luke 4–5 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this week (Matthew 4; Luke 4–5)
Know the chapters

Right after His baptism, the Father’s voice declared, “This is my beloved Son.” That’s Matthew 3:17. Then Jesus went into the wilderness and fasted forty days and nights, in Matthew 4:1–2. The Joseph Smith Translation says He went there “to be with God.” Moses and Elijah had also gone forty days without food at sacred times when they met with the Lord. See Exodus 34:28 and 1 Kings 19:8. Then Satan came with three temptations. Turn stones into bread: that’s appetite. Throw yourself off the temple so angels must catch you: that’s pride and showing off. Bow down in exchange for the kingdoms of the world: that’s power and riches. The Joseph Smith Translation clarifies that the Spirit, not the devil, took Jesus to the temple and the mountain.

Valiant kids can catch two things. First, Satan opened two temptations with “If thou be the Son of God.” He attacked the very thing the Father had just announced. He still tries to make children of God doubt who they are. Second, in Matthew 4:6 Satan quoted scripture himself, from Psalm 91:11–12. He twisted it to make a foolish choice sound faithful. Every time, Jesus answered “It is written” with a verse from Deuteronomy. See Deuteronomy 8:3, 6:16 and 6:13. Knowing the scriptures well, in context and with the Spirit, is how we see through twisted truth.

In Luke 4:16–30, Jesus went home to Nazareth and stood up in the synagogue. He read Isaiah 61:1–2 about the Anointed One. He would preach to the poor, heal the brokenhearted and free captives. Then Jesus sat down and announced, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” The people who had watched Him grow up couldn’t accept it. “Is not this Joseph’s son?” they asked. He reminded them that Elijah and Elisha had blessed outsiders, like the widow of Sarepta and Naaman the Syrian. They were so angry they tried to throw Him off a cliff. But He passed through the midst of them. That’s today’s story. Tell the danger calmly. The point is that familiarity can blind people to the truth.

Luke 5:1–11 and Matthew 4:18–22 show the other side: tired fishermen who trusted Him. Peter had caught nothing all night. Yet he said, “nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” When the nets broke, Peter fell at Jesus’ knees, feeling unworthy. Jesus answered, “Fear not.” They left everything and followed Him straightway. Next Sunday, February 7, is fast Sunday. In many wards, deacons help collect fast offerings. Your class can plan a purpose for their fast. Children shouldn’t be pushed to fast. Parents help them decide how. A prayer and a purpose are what matter most.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read Matthew 4:1–11, Luke 4:16–30 and Luke 5:1–11. Start with the “If” guessing hook. Tell The Hometown Crowd in Teach Mode. Say Matthew 4:4 with motions. Run the Deuteronomy Race in two teams. End with each kid choosing a shield verse. Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing.” You read the Deuteronomy verses, and teams answer with fingers.

What to bring2 items

Tick what you have. Forgot something? Every step that needs a supply has a no-supplies version in the plan below.

Before class

  1. Read Matthew 4:1–11, Luke 4:16–30 and Luke 5:1–11. Note the answers for yourself. Matthew 4:3 ➜ Deuteronomy 8:3. Matthew 4:6 ➜ Deuteronomy 6:16. Matthew 4:9 ➜ Deuteronomy 6:13.
  2. Mark the Scripture Reader’s verses: Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:22 and Luke 5:5. Also mark Matthew 4:3 and 3:17 for the hook.

If your class is wild

  • Nine- to eleven-year-olds love catching adults in trick questions. Lean into the “If” hook and the twist that Satan quoted scripture. That “gotcha” energy is great fuel.
  • Split into Team Net and Team Scroll at the start and keep one score for the whole lesson.
  • In the Deuteronomy Race, one kid per team holds the scriptures each round. Teammates help with book and chapter names. Rotate the holder every round.
  • At scene 5, slow down and keep your voice calm. The danger is real, but the point is that no one could stop Jesus.
  • Talk about Satan may shake some kids. Keep it simple: Jesus already won, and He shows us exactly how to win too.

The 25-minute plan24 min + bonus

Bonus steps are for when you have extra time. Steps that mention Teach Mode, the Sound Board or other class games refer to the Gospel Sparks app; on the web you can play Forehead Guess and Scripture Showdown from this page.

1. Hook

The Two-Letter Trap

3 min

Kids discover that Satan’s first move was to make Jesus doubt who He was. He tries the same trick on them.

  1. SAY“Satan started two of his three temptations with the same two-letter word. Team Net, Team Scroll, you get three guesses each. Whisper, then answer.”
  2. A kid reads Matthew 4:3 from their seat. Reveal: “If.” Another reads Matthew 3:17. Ask: “Why would Satan open with if?” To make Jesus doubt what God just said.
  3. SAY“Satan still uses if. ‘If God really loved you…’ Today we’ll see how Jesus shut that down. And how you can too.”
🌪️ Teams whisper while they decide and answer only when you point. Wrong guesses get a crash from the Sound Board.

Class screen: 🕵️ Satan’s favorite two-letter word. Can you guess it? · Matthew 4:3 · Matthew 3:17

2. Story

Story: The Hometown Crowd

7 min

Nazareth rejects Jesus while tired fishermen trust Him, showing that thinking we already know Him can blind us.

  1. SAY“Two groups meet Jesus up close. One tries to throw Him off a cliff. One leaves everything to follow Him. Watch the pictures closely.”
  2. Open the story in Teach Mode. At “Find” or “Count,” let kids look before you go on. Nod to the Scripture Reader at scenes 2, 4 and 6.
  3. After scene 4, ask: “How can ‘I already know that’ keep us from learning at church?”
  4. After scene 7, ask: “Nazareth rejected Jesus. The fishermen followed Him straightway. Why the difference?”
🌪️ If the room drifts, pat your knees fast and whisper “Straightway!” Wait for every hand before you read on.

Class screen: 🎣 The Hometown Crowd · 👀 Look closely! · 🏃 Straightway!

3. Scripture

Key Verse: Matthew 4:4

4 min

Kids memorize Jesus’s first answer to Satan and think about why the scriptures are real food.

  1. SAY“Jesus hadn’t eaten in forty days. Satan told Him to make bread. Here’s Jesus’s answer.”
  2. Show the verse on your phone or tablet and read it slowly. Teach the motions one phrase at a time.
  3. Say it together twice, the second time without looking.
  4. Ask: “Why would God’s words be as important as food?” Then: “What happens to us when we go days without them?”

Class screen: 📖 “It is written…” · Matthew 4:4

4. Game

It Is Written: The Deuteronomy Race

7 min

Teams race to find the exact Old Testament verses Jesus used against each temptation, then catch Satan twisting scripture.

  1. SAY“Every time, Jesus answered, ‘It is written.’ All three answers are in Deuteronomy 6 or 8. Which team can find them first?”
  2. Read Matthew 4:3. Teams race to find the verse Jesus quoted. The first team to read it aloud scores. Repeat with Matthew 4:6, then 4:9.
  3. Twist: ask, “Who else quotes scripture in Matthew 4:6?” Satan, twisting Psalm 91. Then ask: “How do you beat that?” Know it well, in context, with the Spirit.
  4. Ask: “Appetite, showing off, power. Which temptation hits kids your age most?” Then: “Which verse would you use?” Crown the champions.
🌪️ Only one kid per team holds the scriptures each round. Teammates call out help. Rotate the holder so everyone searches once.

Class screen: 🛡️ Find the verse Jesus used against each temptation! · Temptation 1 · Matthew 4:3 · Temptation 2 · Matthew 4:6 · Temptation 3 · Matthew 4:9 · Hint: Deuteronomy 6 or 8

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: Scriptures for each team (their own, a classroom set from the library, or Gospel Library on a parent-approved device)

It Is Written: Finger Match

  1. SAY“Every time, Jesus answered, ‘It is written.’ I’ll read His three answers out of order. Which temptation does each one beat?”
  2. Briefly tell the three temptations on the screen. Read Deuteronomy 6:13, then 8:3, then 6:16. Teams huddle and hold up 1, 2 or 3 fingers. Right answers score.
  3. Twist: read Matthew 4:6 and ask, “Who else quotes scripture here?” Satan, twisting Psalm 91. Then ask: “How do you beat that?”
  4. Ask: “Appetite, showing off, power. Which temptation hits kids your age most?” Then: “Which verse would you use?” Crown the champions.

Class screen: 🛡️ Which temptation does this verse answer? · 1 · Stones to bread · 2 · Jump from the temple · 3 · Bow down for the kingdoms

5. Testimony

Choose Your Shield Verse

3 min

Each child leaves with one scripture ready for a specific temptation, and a plan for fast Sunday.

  1. SAY“Jesus didn’t search for verses in the moment. He already knew them. So pick one verse from today that you want ready.”
  2. Wait for real quiet. Share a scripture that came to your mind when you needed it. Testify that the Holy Ghost can bring their verses back to them.
  3. SAY“Next Sunday is fast Sunday. Choose a purpose for your fast.”
  4. Share the challenge on the screen and ask a child to pray.

Class screen: 🕊️ It is written. Pick your shield verse. · Matthew 4:4 · Luke 5:5 · Luke 5:10

6. Game

Forehead Guess: Wilderness to Galilee

4 minBONUS

A fast team review of the places, people and big words from Matthew 4 and Luke 4–5.

  1. SAY“Valiant rules! Clue-givers can’t say the word. And they can’t say any word in the hint under it.”
  2. Tap Forehead Guess. Team Net and Team Scroll alternate 45-second turns, device on the forehead, screen facing the team.
  3. Add correct guesses to the lesson score. Bonus point if the guesser can name the chapter where the word appears.
🌪️ Keep turns short and snappy. The fastest guesser on each team becomes the next clue-giver.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess: Wilderness to Galilee · No saying words from the hint!

7. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A tough team quiz reviews the temptations, Nazareth and the call of the fishermen.

  1. SAY“Team Net versus Team Scroll, one last time!”
  2. Tap Scripture Showdown. Read each question aloud. Teams get 10 seconds to whisper, then point to an answer.
  3. Bonus point if the winning team can name the verse.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown: Team Net vs. Team Scroll!

The story

The Hometown Crowd

Luke 4:14–32; 5:1–11; Isaiah 61:1–2 ↗

Optional helpers

  • Scripture ReaderFrom their seat, reads Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:22 and Luke 5:5 aloud when you nod.
  • Sound HelperSits next to you and taps each scene’s sound on your phone or tablet.

Scenes

  1. 🏜️➡️🌿 Back from the wilderness, full of power

    Jesus had fasted forty days in the wilderness. He’d turned down every one of Satan’s offers with the scriptures. Now He came back to Galilee in the power of the Spirit. And news about Him spread everywhere.

    🙌

  2. 🕍📜 Sabbath day in Nazareth, His hometown

    Jesus went home to Nazareth, where He grew up. On the Sabbath, He stood up in the synagogue. Someone handed Him the scroll of Isaiah. He found a prophecy about the One God would send. The One to heal the brokenhearted.

    🙌 Find the scroll on the screen. Unroll a pretend one across your lap.

  3. 👀 “This day is this scripture fulfilled”

    He rolled up the scroll, handed it back and sat down. Every eye was on Him. Then He said, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” He meant Himself!

    🙌

  4. 🤨 “Is not this Joseph’s son?”

    At first the people were amazed at His words. Then they whispered, “Is not this Joseph’s son?” We watched Him grow up! They thought they already knew Him. So they couldn’t believe He was the Messiah.

    🙌 Shake your head slowly: “Is not this Joseph’s son?”

  5. 😠⛰️ Through the middle of an angry crowd

    Jesus said God’s love reached beyond their town. And they were furious! They led Him to the edge of a cliff to throw Him off. But He passed right through the middle of them. And He went on His way.

    🙌

  6. 🎣 Fishing all night… nothing!

    By the Sea of Galilee, Simon Peter had fished all night. He’d caught nothing. Jesus told him to launch out into the deep and try again. Peter said, “Nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.”

    🙌 Find the fishing pole. Thumbs up: “At thy word!”

  7. 🐟🚣 Nets so full they broke

    The nets filled until they broke! Peter fell at Jesus’s knees. He felt unworthy. Jesus said, “Fear not.” From now on, Peter would catch men. So Peter, Andrew, James and John left everything. They followed Him.

    🙌 Count the fish on the screen! Then pat your knees fast: “Straightway!”

Key verse

Matthew 4:4 ↗
“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
In kid words: The scriptures say it: food keeps your body alive, but you need every word God speaks to truly live.
🙌 “It is written” = open hands like a book · “Man shall not live by bread alone” = hold up an invisible loaf and shake your head · “but by every word” = sweep a finger across the page · “that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” = touch your lips, then point up.

More verses

Deuteronomy 8:3 ↗
“man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.”
In kid words: Moses taught this to Israel after forty years of manna. Jesus quoted it to Satan.
Luke 4:18 ↗
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted”
In kid words: Jesus read Isaiah’s prophecy and told the people it was about Him. He came to lift and heal people.
Luke 5:5 ↗
“Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.”
In kid words: Peter was tired and it didn’t make sense, but he obeyed anyway.
Luke 5:10 ↗
“Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.”
In kid words: Don’t be afraid. From now on you’ll help bring people to God.

Forehead Guess words19 words

  • 🏜️ Wilderness
  • 📆 Forty days
  • 🍽️ Fasting
  • 🐍 Tempter
  • 🏛️ Pinnacle of the temple
  • 📖 It is written
  • 📘 Deuteronomy
  • 🏘️ Nazareth
  • 🕍 Synagogue
  • 📜 Scroll of Isaiah
  • 🪚 Joseph’s son
  • ⛰️ Brow of the hill
  • 🪖 Naaman
  • 🏙️ Capernaum
  • 🌊 Sea of Galilee
  • 🎣 Fishers of men
  • ⚡ Straightway
  • 👨‍👦‍👦 Zebedee
  • 🤲 Fast offering
Clues for each word
  • Wilderness: Where Jesus went to be with God and fast
  • Forty days: How long Jesus, Moses and Elijah fasted
  • Fasting: Going without food to draw closer to God
  • Tempter: Another name for Satan in Matthew 4:3
  • Pinnacle of the temple: Satan said jump from here and angels would catch Him
  • It is written: Jesus’s three-word answer every time
  • Deuteronomy: The Old Testament book Jesus quoted to Satan
  • Nazareth: Jesus’s hometown that tried to throw Him off a hill
  • Synagogue: Jewish meeting house for scripture and prayer
  • Scroll of Isaiah: What the attendant handed Jesus to read
  • Joseph’s son: What the doubters called Jesus in Luke 4:22
  • Brow of the hill: Where the angry crowd led Him
  • Naaman: Syrian captain Elisha healed, mentioned in Nazareth
  • Capernaum: Town by the sea where His word had power
  • Sea of Galilee: Lake where Peter fished all night
  • Fishers of men: What Jesus promised to make Peter and Andrew
  • Straightway: How fast they left their nets
  • Zebedee: Father James and John left in the boat
  • Fast offering: Money given to help the needy, often gathered by deacons
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown10 questions

  1. How long did Jesus fast in the wilderness?
    • A. Forty days and nights
    • B. Seven days
    • C. Three days
    Show answer

    ✅ A. Forty days and nights Matthew 4:2. Moses and Elijah also went forty days without food when they met with the Lord.

  2. Which book did Jesus quote all three times to answer Satan?
    • A. Psalms
    • B. Deuteronomy
    • C. Isaiah
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Deuteronomy Deuteronomy 8:3; 6:16; 6:13. He knew the scriptures by heart.

  3. Which two-letter word did Satan use to attack Jesus’s identity?
    • A. No
    • B. Go
    • C. If
    Show answer

    ✅ C. If “If thou be the Son of God,” right after the Father declared Him His beloved Son.

  4. What sneaky thing did Satan do in Matthew 4:6?
    • A. Offered Him gold
    • B. Quoted scripture out of context
    • C. Pretended to be an angel
    Show answer

    ✅ B. Quoted scripture out of context He twisted Psalm 91. Knowing scripture well helps us spot twisted truth.

  5. Whose prophecy did Jesus read aloud in the Nazareth synagogue?
    • A. Jeremiah
    • B. Malachi
    • C. Isaiah
    Show answer

    ✅ C. Isaiah Luke 4:17–19 reads Isaiah 61:1–2. Luke spells his name “Esaias.”

  6. After reading, Jesus said, “This day is this scripture…”
    • A. fulfilled in your ears
    • B. written on your hearts
    • C. hidden from your eyes
    Show answer

    ✅ A. fulfilled in your ears Luke 4:21. He was declaring that He is the promised Messiah.

  7. Why did Nazareth struggle to believe Him?
    • A. He couldn’t read well
    • B. He was a stranger
    • C. They thought they already knew Him
    Show answer

    ✅ C. They thought they already knew Him “Is not this Joseph’s son?” (Luke 4:22). Familiarity blinded them.

  8. Peter had caught nothing all night. What did he say?
    • A. “Let us go home”
    • B. “Nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net”
    • C. “Find another fisherman”
    Show answer

    ✅ B. “Nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net” Luke 5:5. He obeyed before it made sense, and the nets broke with fish.

  9. What did Jesus tell Peter when Peter felt like a sinful man?
    • A. “Fear not”
    • B. “Go away”
    • C. “Try harder”
    Show answer

    ✅ A. “Fear not” Luke 5:10. Then He promised Peter would catch men.

  10. In Matthew 4:20, “straightway” means…
    • A. slowly
    • B. in a straight line
    • C. right away
    Show answer

    ✅ C. right away They didn’t wait. They left their nets immediately and followed Him.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • Called to Serve Children’s Songbook, p. 174

    The fishermen were called to be fishers of men, and so are future missionaries in this class. Find it ↗

  • Search, Ponder, and Pray Children’s Songbook, p. 109

    Jesus knew the scriptures so well He could answer Satan instantly. This is how we get there. Find it ↗

  • Choose the Right Hymns, no. 239

    A strong hymn for the moment after choosing your shield verse. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Shield Verse and a Fast with a Purpose

Memorize your shield verse this week. Say it every time you feel tempted. With your parents’ help, choose a purpose for fast Sunday and write it down. It could be someone to pray for, a question, or strength against a temptation. Eleven-year-olds, ask a deacon or your bishop how fast offerings help people in your ward.

Text the parents

This week we learned that Jesus answered every one of Satan’s temptations with “It is written.” He quoted Deuteronomy. Satan even twisted scripture himself. That’s Matthew 4:1–11. We heard how Jesus read Isaiah in Nazareth, and how the fishermen left their nets straightway, in Luke 4–5. Ask your child: which verse did you choose as your shield? What purpose could our family fast for next Sunday?

📝 After class

What worked? Who needs a check-in this week? Jot it here on a printed copy, or in the app’s private class notes.

Got extra time?

📜 The Hometown Scroll · 4 min

  1. Put Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:18 side by side. Use two readers with two Bibles or phones.
  2. Teams list every promise in the verses. Good tidings to the meek. Healing the brokenhearted. Freedom for captives. Sight for the blind.
  3. For each promise, teams name a story where Jesus actually did it. Think of the blind, the sick and people trapped by sin.
  4. Ask: “Which of these promises do you need most right now?”

📺 Satan’s Sales Pitch · 4 min

  1. Teams write a 20-second “commercial” for a modern temptation. Try sneaking screen time, cheating on a test or joining in on mean jokes. Make it sound amazing.
  2. After each pitch, the other team fires back with “It is written” plus a scripture or gospel truth.
  3. Ask: “What does Satan always leave out of his commercials?” The cost, and who you really are.

⚡ Follow Me, Straightway · 3 min

  1. Read Matthew 4:18–22. Each kid names something hard to leave behind to follow Jesus, like a game, a friend group or a habit.
  2. Ask: “What is one prompting you’ve been putting off? What would ‘straightway’ look like?”
  3. Let kids choose one small thing to do straightway this week.

🐟 Nets So Full They Broke · 4 min

  1. Scatter the paper fish across the floor. Two kids hold the blanket low between them as the net.
  2. Round 1 is “Fishing all night.” Eyes closed, 20 seconds, toss fish into the net. Count the catch. Almost none!
  3. Round 2, “At thy word”: eyes open, 30 seconds, everyone tosses fish underhand into the net until it’s overflowing.
  4. Read Luke 5:6–10. Ask: “Why did Peter feel unworthy after such a huge blessing, and why did Jesus say ‘Fear not’?”

Sources

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, the Bible used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tap or click a reference to open it in Gospel Library. Start with the official Come, Follow Me manual; these ideas are here to help it come alive.

All Valiant 9–10 lessons