• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Little Shoots, Deep Roots

Little Shoots, Deep Roots

Simplified Family Faith with Christie Thomas

  • Home
  • About
  • FREE
  • Books
  • Bible Studies
    • Old Testament
    • New Testament
    • Lent/Easter
    • Christmas/Advent
    • Group license
  • Blog
    • Kids Faith tools
    • Moms Faith tools
    • Christian Parenting
    • Christian Picture Books
  • HopeGrown Faith

Fruit of the Spirit: SELF CONTROL (lesson + devotional)

By Christie Thomas 3 Comments

Save this for later!

139 shares
  • Facebook10
  • Email

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links. See my full disclosures, Terms of Use, and privacy policies on my "privacy" page. I never recommend a product I don't love.

The fruit of the Spirit SELF CONTROL includes a Jesus-centered devotional you can use in a lesson, as well as a full “fruit of the Spirit: self control” lesson plan with an object lesson, coloring page and other activities.


Fruit of the Spirit SELF CONTROL for Kids!

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,

‘People do not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Matthew 4:1–4 NLT

How many types of weapon can you think of? Swords, guns, knives, throwing stars, scimitars…that’s as much as I know about weapons.

In your list, did you name the Bible?

Ephesians 6:17 talks about how we can protect ourselves against evil using the Armor of God. It says “take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (NLT)

It’s kind of weird to think of the Bible as a weapon, isn’t it? I mean, it’s hard to protect yourself from an enemy with a book. Maybe if it was heavy enough you could knock someone out with it, but normally a book isn’t a great weapon to bring to a battle. However, the Word of God isn’t any old book!

The devil came to tempt Jesus when he was the weakest. We are often tempted when we are weak too. Maybe you don’t understand the math problems you’re supposed to hand in, so you look up the answers. Or maybe a kid at the park is being mean to you, so you push him off the equipment. Or you’re super-duper hungry so you sneak the snack your mom told you not to have before supper.

child not exhibiting self control and stealing a cookie!

You can use the Word of God like a sword against the temptation. You can say a verse like this one: “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13 NLT) or this one: “God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied” (Mathew 5:6 NLT).

This won’t always be easy. Unlike us, Jesus was able to use his Sword of the Spirit to fight back against the sneaky temptations every single time. Because of that, he was the perfect sacrifice to take the consequences of sin from us. And when he came back to life, he brought the Holy Spirit with him to pass onto you.

Imagine the Holy Spirit like a mechanical arm that helps you swing your own Sword of the Spirit against temptations. Nothing can stand against you when you pair the Sword of the Spirit with the Holy Spirit.  

When you feel stuck, like you have no other choice but to sin, say “help me, Jesus!” That’s the kind of prayer Jesus loves to answer with a great big “YES”.

Fruit of the Spirit book!
*This devotion is featured in my book, “Fruit Full: 100 Family Experiences for Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit” and is used here with permission. See the book on Amazon.

A fruit of the Spirit: SELF CONTROL lesson plan for children

Use this fruit of the Spirit: SELF CONTROL lesson plan for Sunday School or at home!

1. The Fruit of the Spirit SELF CONTROL Lesson:

Help children look up and read Matthew 4:1-4, then share the above fruit of the Spirit (self-control) devotion, stopping to discuss with the kids as appropriate.

After, ASK: What kind of temptations do you think Jesus had to say “no” to? / Tell me a Bible verse you have memorized.

*Remind kids that self-control grows when we get closer to Jesus and allow his power to work within us, not just by trying harder to be self-controlled.

2. PRAYER:

Thank you, Jesus for showing us what it’s like to have self-control, but also for giving us the Holy Spirit so we can actually swing our own Sword of the Spirit. Amen.

3. FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT SELF-CONTROL ACTIVITIES:

  • Have fun with the memory verse! Hide under a table and whisper 2 Timothy 1:7, then stand on a chair and shout it!
  • Have kids make a poster of 1 Timothy 1:7 in fancy letters.
  • Have kids draw the tastiest dessert they can imagine, then discuss whether it would be hard to have self-control with that dessert.
  • Teach kids a breath prayer: As you breathe in, say “You have not given me a spirit of fear” and as you breathe out, say “but of power, of love, and of self-control.”
  • Play the smile game! The point of the game is to try to get someone in your group to smile. Choose one person to be the guinea pig and the rest will do everything possible to make that person smile. Time how long it takes each person to crack a smile.
  • Have kids try out the object lesson on their own.
  • *As you share these activities, be sure to keep the conversation on the fruit of the Spirit SELF CONTROL gospel-based (meaning we emphasize Jesus’ self-control and remind kids that the power of the Spirit is available to Christians).

Fruit of the Spirit Self Control Object Lesson

Enjoy this fruit of the Spirit Self-Control object lesson.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CevyTbXLJFP/?hl=en

SUPPLIES: 2 glasses of red-dyed water, 1/4 cup baking soda, vinegar, and a large dish.

SAY: The red water represents us, and the baking soda represents the fear and selfishness living in our hearts. (Stir some baking soda into the water). The vinegar shows what happens when something makes us angry. (Add a splash of vinegar) All the junk inside us bubbles out, hurting others. ASK: What would happen if God cleared all that sin and selfishness out of our hearts? (Pour vinegar into a plain cup of water, no baking soda). When Jesus cleans us up on the inside, we won’t spill over and hurt others around us anymore. We will still get angry, but it’s much easier to have self-control when our hearts have been cleaned by Jesus.

A fruit of the Spirit: SELF CONTROL coloring page

Download and print this entire package of fruit of the Spirit coloring pages and activities, including this SELF CONTROL coloring page featuring 2 Timothy 1:7. This coloring page is available in 4 translations.

fruit of the Spirit self control coloring page of 2 Timothy 1:7

See my other Fruit of the Spirit Lesson Plans here:

🍎 The Fruits of the Spirit for Kids: A Gospel-Centered Approach

🍊 The Fruit of the Spirit LOVE: lesson plan and activities

🍌 The Fruit of the Spirit JOY: lesson plan and activities

🍓 The Fruit of the Spirit PEACE: lesson plan and activities

🍇 The Fruit of the Spirit PATIENCE: lesson plan and activities

🍏 The Fruit of the Spirit KINDNESS: lesson plan and activities

🍓 The Fruit of the Spirit GOODNESS: lesson plan and activities

🍑 The Fruit of the Spirit FAITHFULNESS: lesson plan and activities

🍋 The Fruit of the Spirit GENTLENESS: lesson plan and activities

🥝 The Fruit of the Spirit SELF CONTROL: lesson plan and activities

Save this for later!

139 shares
  • Facebook10
  • Email

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I’m Christie Thomas

I am a mom of three boys, former Children’s Ministry Director, and author. I believe that every Christian mom can confidently nurture deep faith roots in her kids through little habits that add up over time. Learn more about how I can help you here. 

What are you looking for?

What others are reading...

One mom's humorous take on what it is like to raise 3 sons

9 Amazing Reasons to be a Mom of 3 Boys

Teach your child to pray with a prayer pattern

A simple way to help kids pray (+ free printables!)

bedtime ritual

Teach Your Child Her Worth Using This Bedtime Ritual

A prayer for raising godly children with anxiety | Bible verses to help kids with anxiety | Childhood anxiety and Christian parenting | #Christianparenting #familydiscipleship #Bibleverse #prayer

How To Use This One Verse To Help Your Anxious Child

Create a Christ-centered advent tradition!

18 Christian Advent Ideas

Footer

About

The Little Shoots, Deep Roots community is all about leading our kids to a deeper Christian faith through little faith habits, without feeling like you have to know it all or do it all. We’re about making family faith fun and simple so that your kids love it, and you can feel confident that you're nurturing deep faith roots in your family.

More About Our Community

My Newsletter

Are you ready to start your own little family faith habits? Join our community of over 4000 moms and get my free printable, Start Little: 5 Quick Wins To Deepen Your Family's Faith (and how to actually make them stick). 

Copyright © 2023 · Christie Thomas · Site Design By Visible Web Design

139 shares
  • 10