Use Self-Control A
Posted by: Buffalo Dream Center
Topic: Christian Character
Verse: Blessed are they who. . . constantly do what is right. Psalm 106:3
Props:
Picture of Jesus
Stuff or an obstacle coarse
Easel
Volunteer – pre-planned
Books etc to be carried
Spike
Whip
Crown of Thorns
Instructions:
Discussion:
1. Introduction:
-Who has decided to live for Jesus?
-When you live for Jesus should your life be the same or different?
-For the last 3 weeks we have talked about ways our lives should be different from those around us. Does anybody remember the 3 ways we have talked about so far?
-Honor God
-Respect Others
-Tell The Truth
-Today we are going to talk about a forth way our life should be different.
-It is we should use self-control (have the kid’s repeat – use self-control)
-What does it mean to use self-control?
-To behave
-Use good manners
-Do what is right without being told
-To not misbehave
-To act properly
-To use good judgment
-To not depend on others to make you do what is right
-Self-control basically means that we need to do (act or say) what is right in every situation we face.
2. Activity
-The best way to use self-control in our lives is if we keep our eyes or our focus on Jesus everyday. We should constantly ask ourselves “What would Jesus do in this situation?
Demonstrate:
1.Set up the picture of Jesus at the back of the class (on the easel)
2.Choose a volunteer (maybe an adult would work better).
3.Have the volunteer walk down the aisle balancing a Bible on their head while they keep their eyes (focus) on Jesus. They should be able to demonstrate this successfully.
4.Set up a small obstacle coarse in the aisle using chairs.
5.Have the same volunteer balance the Bible on their head, and carry several things in their arms walk down the aisle. They are not really to focus on Jesus-just focus on getting through the obstacle coarse. This should be more difficult-they may drop stuff etc. . .
Discussion:
-Interview the person about how it was the walking down the aisle the first time verse the second time.
-Explain that the chairs and things the person was holding represents:
-Hard times we go through
-Temptations to do bad things
-Cares and worries
-When the volunteer walked down the aisle the first time focused on Jesus it was relatively easy for them to do what they were supposed to.
-When the volunteer walked down the aisle the second time with all the distractions and difficulties it was almost impossible to focus on Jesus, and it was almost impossible to do what they were supposed to.
-When we focus on Jesus everyday of our life it is much easier to do what is right or to use self-control.
-When we focus on all the things that could distract us-our situations, doing bad things, cares and worries, it is pretty impossible to do what is right or to use self-control.
3. The Ultimate Example of Self-Control - Jesus
-Jesus came to earth on a mission. His mission was to save the lost so that everyone willing to obey him would be able to go to heaven.
-While Jesus lived on the earth he helped people and taught them about His Father-God.
-Some people hated what He said. These people made an evil plan to kill Jesus.
-First they had Jesus arrested. He had to go to court. They accused Him of untrue things.
-Some of the men spit on Jesus and made fun of Him. Jesus said nothing back. He used self-control.
-Then Jesus was whipped with a whip. This whip was no ordinary whip. It was a big stick with piece of leather coming out of it. Each piece of leather was covered in pieces of glass, bone, and metal. They whipped Jesus on his bare skin, so the metal, bone, and glass dug in and tore his skin. (Hold up whip)
-They put a crown of thrones on Jesus head. It hurt because the thorns dug into his scalp. (Hold up the crown)
-They continued to make fun of him.
-Then He was taken away to be hung on the cross.
-The soldiers nailed him to the cross using big spikes. (Hold up the spike)
-People continued to call Him names, tease Him, and make fun of Him.
-Guess what Jesus said in return?
-He didn’t yell back, He didn’t get angry – He said, “Father forgive them because they don’t know what they are doing.”
Conclusion:
-Jesus had a mission. He came to earth to save people from their sins – all who were willing to obey Him.
-Jesus kept His eyes on His mission, and because of His suffering, if we choose to obey Him we are forgiven for all the bad things we have done. We are also able to go to heaven.
-As a follower of Jesus we all have a mission – to let our life show the world Jesus’ love.
-If we are going to show Jesus to the world then we need to live different from others.
-We need to use self-control every day so we make right choices and so we act the way Jesus would want us to in all situations.
Close in prayer.
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