Elf on the Shelf Jesus Style Biblical Virtues: Self Control

Self control is a hard one for any age.  Even adults struggle with this concept.  No matter what age your child is, self control is a biblical virtue that must not only be taught, but modeled!

Discussion

Ask your child what self control means.  Self control is when we choose to act in ways that are pleasing to God.  Making good choices, even when we are frustrated or unhappy, is practicing self control.  We can ask God to help us have self control by praying when we feel like we may lose it.

Ask your child if they can remember a time where they didn’t have self control.  Use examples from their life or your own life to show what self control looks like.

Scripture

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Here is the Fruit of the Spirit Printable Coloring Sheet featured in my picture.

Activity

This is a messy one so you may want to do it over a sink or outside.  For this activity, you will need:

• An unopened soda bottle

Have your child shake up the soda bottle.  Explain to him/her that when we don’t have self control, our emotions can get really shaken up and we can lose control.  When we lose control, we may have a temper tantrum, say mean things and hurt others.   Ask them to tell you things that make them feel all “shook up” or upset.

Over a sink or outside, open the lid to the soda bottle and watch the fizz make a mess!  Explain to your child that when we lose self control, it makes a mess and hurts others.  We also disappoint God when we lose control.

Thankfully, we have Jesus who can help us have self control.  But we are human and we will make mistakes and lose control occasionally.  As you and your child clean up the mess, talk about how Jesus died on the cross to “clean up our messes.”

When we feel like we are about to lose control, we can pray and ask God to help us bear the fruit of the spirit.  We can ask Him to help us make good choices and to practice self control.