Today, we’re concluding our series here at Christian Parenting on the Fruit of the Spirit. Each week, a group of 5-minute family Bible study activities have been shared to help you and your family learn from God’s Word together. The activities are designed to teach the entire family about a particular Biblical concept with an emphasis on parents and children doing these activities together. This writer has been doing this with her children recently and has seen God work in amazing ways. The activities are short and can often be done while you’re riding in the car together. We started with an overview of the Fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23 and then covered the fruits of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, and Gentleness. This week, we conclude with the final fruit: Self-Control
Monday
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Review Galatians 5:22-23 with your children. -
Memory verse: Proverbs 25:28 – Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. -
Talk to your children today about what self-control really is. It’s become a relatively common term in recent history as people all around our children fail to exert self-control. Impress upon your children that they alone have the ability to control their behaviors. God will help them behave properly if they let him. But other people and influences will always be trying to exert their own control…trying to get them to do their wishes instead of God’s. That’s not because people are inherently bad. It’s because all people sin and are, at times, very selfish. Our goal as parents should be to encourage self-control within our children so that they will be able to listen to God and make the right choices. -
Pray Galatians 5:22-23 over your children tonight as they go to bed.
Tuesday
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Review Galatians 5:22-23 with your children. -
Memory verse: Proverbs 25:28 – Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. -
This is a great verse to discuss with visuals. For younger children, you’ll need some blocks or paper and crayons. Older children could use some paper and any writing/drawing instrument of their choice. Help your child to either physically build or draw a small city with a protective wall around it. Explain to your children how the wall protects the city. Now break down part of the wall. Show your children how even a small break in the wall can let things in that shouldn’t be there. -
Explain that the wall in this verse works the same way. The wall is their self-control. If that wall is up, then the people inside the city (i.e., the child) can only be influenced from above (i.e., God). But if that wall is broken, then others can get in and influence them. -
Pray Galatians 5:22-23 over your children tonight as they go to bed.
Wednesday
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Review Galatians 5:22-23 with your children. -
Memory verse: Proverbs 25:28 – Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. -
Yesterday, we talked about not letting other people in to influence your behavior. But we also need to talk about positive influences. There are times when we all, children and adults, need to open the door to our wall and let others come in. These are people who are trying to help you. They may be parents, grandparents, teachers, pastors, or friends. There are other times when you know that someone or something is trying to get you to do the wrong thing. That’s when you keep your wall strong. -
Pray Galatians 5:22-23 over your children tonight as they go to bed.
Thursday
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Review Galatians 5:22-23 with your children. -
Memory verse: Proverbs 25:28 – Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. -
Some people think peer pressure is a very real challenge for kids. Others think it’s overblown. The truth is probably somewhere along a spectrum. Some people, those who have a strong sense of self-control, don’t really see the peer pressure around them. Others, who don’t have strong sense of self-control, may see it everywhere. -
Talk to your children today about their conscience. Explain to them that there is a part of them that inherently knows if something is good or bad. To some people, it seems like a voice inside of them. For others, it may be a feeling. But we all have it. Talk about how God will help them to make the good choice if they will let Him…even if others around them are not making good choices. -
Pray Galatians 5:22-23 over your children tonight as they go to bed.
Friday
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Review Galatians 5:22-23 with your children. -
Memory verse: Proverbs 25:28 – Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. -
Weekend challenge: Discipline does not just mean dealing with naughty behaviors. It also means teaching children about their own behavior. This weekend, the challenge is for parents alone. Actively look for opportunities to praise your child for practicing self-control. Encourage and reinforce that skill so that it becomes part of your child’s very nature. -
Pray Galatians 5:22-23 over your children tonight as they go to bed.
We pray that this series has been a positive influence on you and your children. It has made such a difference in the family of the writer. Next week, we’ll begin a new series on the Ten Commandments.
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