Follow Up Activities!
Option #1 (For Kids to Reflect)
It’s easy to see when someone else needs some self-control:
YOUR FRIEND IN CLASS WHO NEVER STOPS TALKING.
THE KID IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WHO GETS SO MAD AT THE SMALLEST THING.
YOUR BROTHER WHO’S OBSESSED WITH PURPLE SKITTLES. (EVERYONE KNOWS GREEN ARE THE BEST.)
Adults need self-control, too. They love to watch things like home decorating shows—sometimes too much! They talk a lot about needing to eat better, or get in better shape. They can be tempted to spend money on things they don’t really need. You know where it’s hard to see who needs self-control? Yep. In the mirror. That’s where your mom or dad can really help you. Your teacher or your Small Group Leader, too. If you ask them, they can tell you about some parts of your life where you need to learn some self-control. If you really, honestly, want to know, they can tell you. Does that sound scary? Are you kind of afraid of what you’ll find out? Think of it as a way to get better. After all, once you KNOW where you need to improve, you know exactly how to ask God to help you. With His Spirit, you can learn to stay in control.
PRAY
Option #2 (For Kids to Reflect)
READ ROMANS 8:5-6
Don’t think about an elephant. Don’t think about a purple elephant with pink polka-dots. Don’t think about a purple elephant with pink polka-dots standing on a stool. Don’t think about a purple elephant with pink polka-dots standing on a stool, balancing a red ball on its nose.
Let me guess—you’re thinking about a purple elephant with pink polka-dots dots standing on a stool, balancing a red ball on its nose. Am I right?
It’s easy to think of self-control as just the things that you DO (or don’t do), but your thoughts are the beginning of self-control. You may think you don’t have any control over your thoughts, but if you’ve put your trust in Jesus, you have the help of the Holy Spirit! Don’t try to have self-control all on your own—ask for help!
KNOW that God gives us the ability to control our thoughts with the help of the Holy Spirit.