For each of the three temptations Jesus experienced in the desert, write a brief explanation of how a similar temptation might be experienced by a young person today.
1. Devil tells him to turn stones into bread.
A friend tells you to steal from the school cafeteria because you don't have enough money to buy lunch. Similarly to Jesus, you are very hungry, but in order to eat, you would have to disobey someone else's trust. Jesus would have to disobey his promise to God to fast. You would be disobeying the trust of the cafeteria workers and your school.
2. Devil tells him to jump off the highest point of the temple.
Someone tells you that if you smoke it won't hurt you; it will just make you more popular. To a teenager today, smoking might as well be jumping off the highest point of the temple because of how dangerous it can be to a young person's health. The devil promises Jesus that angels will catch him as he falls. This implies that there is no danger in jumping off, because angels will be there to save him. Your friend promises that smoking is completely safe, and in fact, it will make you more popular! That friend is challenging you to do something dangerous to receive some recognition. The devil does the same to Jesus when he says, "If you are the Son of God..."
3. Devil promises Jesus all of the kingdoms of the world if he bows down to him.
 Your boss offers you a major raise if you quit school and come work for him full-time. This may be a little bit of a stretch, but it could happen. Besides, it is practically the exact same situation. You really want that money but you know you should go to college so you can eventually make money at a job you are really passionate about. However, this full-time position is available right now. How do you know you will be able to get a better job even if you do go to college? Jesus has a very similar situation on his hands. All of the kingdoms in the world could be his if he betrays God and bows down to the devil. Just like that raise could be yours if you don't go to college and go work full-time for your boss.