If you have children, you probably have discovered that self control is a topic that is vital – continually. It can be helpful for the children too…
Topic: Self Control
Scriptures: Proverbs 5:22-23, 1 Peter 1:13-14, Matt 26:36-46 (or Mark 14:32-42 or Luke 22:39-46)
Notes:
The Bible verses are included below, but it is more beneficial to read any verses from a Bible – or better yet, have the children read from their own. We recommend the New Living Translation (NLT) which is easy to read but very accurate. If you don’t have one please let us know as we may be able to help.
The activities below were just used spontaneously as our kids love the trampoline – use whatever fits!
Description:
Today I had planned to do a teaching on self control as there have been a few issues around this topic so it was time to re-visit it (again!). Last night I asked the 2 older boys to bring at least one scripture each on self control and let them use a dictionary and the iPad for 15 minutes to look up verses.
I decided to do todays lesson on the trampoline…it would lend itself to the fun & be useful as an object lesson.
First, I asked the children what they thought self control was and could they show me what it looked like. They all did their best and then sat / kneeled with the hands folded together.
I asked whether this was hard – which for some it already was!
But I asked them to keep this stance while the two older boys read out the verses they had…
Proverbs 5:22-23
* An evil man is held captive by his own sins;
they are ropes that catch and hold him.
* He will die for lack of self- control;
he will be lost because of his great foolishness.
I did a quick illustration about a city under attack and being held captive by sin – who wanted to be like that? No one!
1 Peter 1:13-14
* So think clearly and exercise self- control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is f revealed to the world. * So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires.
“what is it we are meant to do while we wait for Jesus to return?”
– ‘think clearly and exercise self control!’
Great two verses that add to the lesson!
Now I asked them to try to keep their hands together and started walking then jumping on the trampoline so they started falling over onto the trampoline. This was great fun – falling everywhere all over each other but they were determined to keep their hands together. Much harder!
Next I told them that any grape they could get, they could eat…and started throwing grapes onto the trampoline. This was hilarious – again falling all over the place then trying to scoop up grapes with their mouths off the trampoline.
So I talked about how some things make having self-control harder and how temptation, although it doesn’t physically hamper us (like someone jumping on the trampoline), makes it very difficult to keep your resolve.
As they started to calm down, I asked them if they could think of any Bible stories that illustrate self control. This is a great to see what they know & where their understanding is at – and it is always a good idea to ask the younger children first.
Unfortunately for me, today the totally ruined my ‘surprise’ and their answer was what I planned for the end ‘even more self control’. But no matter!
I read to them the story of Jesus in Gethsemane.
(Matt 26:36- 46 //Mark 14:32- 42 //Luke 22:39- 46)
* Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” * He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. * He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
* He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? * Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the d body is weak!”
* Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open.
So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. * Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”
(Matthew 26:36-46 NLTse)
There’s so much in this, but today I centred on the fact that Jesus’ love for the Father led Him to practise self control and stick to the plan. We talked about what it would be like and how amazing it was that Jesus did this – and the amazing benefits we have because He did.
The results of self control can be incredible for others!
And my planned ‘surprise’ (which they already mentioned) was an even more amazing time…
Jesus on the cross… He could have come down off the cross at any time – He could have called a million angels to come and get Him, heal Him, feed Him, clothe Him and been the ruler of earth treated like a king….but He didn’t. He chose to be obedient to the Father and exercise self control.
We talked & engaged with this for a while – what would it be like if He had done that? Could you have done that? Who find it easy to have self control? Why? How can we do better?
We also talked about the individual triumphs they have had over the years – specific instances where God had helped them give up certain habits or actions.
Then, as always, we closed in prayer with a few of the kids thanking God for what He has done (especially in staying on the cross!) and asking for Him to help us have self control today but also continually.
Yet another great time together both sharing and learning about God’s Word but also each other. Thank you God!
Conclusion: Self Control is given by God, powered by God and desired by God – without it you die, with it you live!