Lent Week 1 for Kids | Jesus in the Desert
After his baptism, Jesus enters the desert to pray and fast. When temptation invites him toward an easy display of power, he remains faithful to the Father.
The teaching pages help children distinguish a tempting invitation from choosing sin. A crossroads activity connects the Gospel event with ordinary decisions about honesty and kindness, supported by prayer and trusted adults.
Available free on YouTube since February 16, 2026. Watch the complete video above. Runtime: 1:59. Suggested ages: about 7–11.
Free teaching resources
Use these printable materials at home, in a Catholic classroom, in homeschool, or in parish religious education. The complete four-page packet includes a two-page leader guide with discussion questions, answer cues, an activity, prayer, and teaching notes, plus two student response options. Choose Draw & Tell or Read & Write to suit the child. PDFs are US Letter and suitable for black-and-white printing.
Talk about it together
Where did Jesus prepare after his baptism?
Why was the invitation to turn stones to bread a test?
Is being tempted the same as sinning?
What could help when an easy choice would be dishonest?
The choice at the crossroads
Draw a forked desert path. Use a small example: finding someone's lost pencil or making a mistake in a game. Label one branch Easy but unkind and the other Honest and loving. Add a prayer and a trusted helper beside the honest path; practice the choice aloud.
A note for parents and teachers
Choose ordinary, child-sized situations. Do not ask children to imitate Jesus' forty-day fast or disclose private temptations.
The phrase Jesus began Lent before we did is a devotional comparison: the Church's later Lenten season recalls his forty days. Children must not imitate his long fast. Do not rehearse frightening tempter dialogue.
Pray together
Jesus, you know our struggles. Bring our hearts back to you and help us choose what is true and loving. Amen.
Learn more
Original video release: February 16, 2026. Website article and teaching resources added October 3, 2026.
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