Kids love playing games. Use the classic game, the Floor is Lava, to teach a Bible lesson about temptation!

Introduce the Main Idea

Read aloud Matthew 4:1-4 from a kid-friendly translation (like this one!).

Say: When Jesus was tempted, he said “no” immediately. Let’s see if we can be that quick about getting away from something bad. 

Play the Bible Game: “The Floor Is Lava”

Say: When I say “the Floor Is Lava,” you have five seconds to get somewhere safe—that means no part of you is touching the floor. Anyone who’s still on the floor after five seconds is out for that round. 

Play the game. Have kids walk or run around. If possible, take kids to different settings, such as outside or the church lobby, and see if they can find safe places then.

Talk About Temptation

Ask: What was it like trying to find a place away from the “lava”? 

Say: The Bible tells us to run far away from things that tempt us. 

Read aloud 2 Timothy 2:22. 

Ask:

• What are some things that tempt kids your age?
• In our game, what were some safe places to get away from the lava?

Say: That verse tells us where to go to get safe from temptation. It says to pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Those are like the chairs, tables, or wherever else we went to escape from the lava. 

Ask: Was there ever a point in our game where you didn’t think you’d be able to get off the floor in time? 

Say: Sometimes temptation can feel like that—it’s too hard to get away! But God makes a promise about that. 

Read aloud 1 Corinthians 10:13. 

Say: The next time you’re tempted, remember that the floor is lava! Run and look for an escape from the temptation. God promises to give you one! 

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Looking for more ministry games? Check out these ideas!