Fruit of the Spirit Christmas PlanSample

Day 9: Self-Control

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.“ (2 Peter 1:5-7)

”For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

God’s Plan: Self-control allows us to resist sinful desires and impulses, aligning our lives with God’s will. It reflects God's mastery over sin and is vital for spiritual growth. Through self-control, God enables us to live disciplined, purpose-driven lives that reflect His holiness.

Description: The ability to regulate emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, particularly in challenging situations.

Activity idea: Freeze Dance Challenge

Play upbeat music and dance freely, but when the music suddenly stops, freeze in place and hold the position until the music starts again. The goal is to practice controlling impulses and stop dancing immediately when the music pauses. To make it more engaging, add fun challenges like holding a specific pose or balancing on one foot while frozen. This game helps family members, children or friends practice self-control in a playful and energetic way; reinforcing the idea that they can control their actions even when they feel excited or impulsive.

Marshmallow Challenge: A friendly challenge where everyone must wait to eat a marshmallow (or treat) until a timer goes off, promoting self-control.

Example of Fruit in everyday life: Resisting the temptation to lash out in anger during an argument or managing impulsive spending to save for a future goal.

Arts and crafts: Stoplight Self-Control Tool

You’ll need a large piece of paper, markers, and scissors. Have them draw or cut out a simple stoplight with three colored circles: red, yellow, and green. Instruct them to write or draw what each color represents:

Red: "Stop and take a deep breath."

Yellow: "Pause and think before acting."

Green: "Go ahead when you're calm and ready."

They can decorate their stoplight with designs or messages, making it personal. The idea is to use the stoplight as a tool for moments when they feel impatient or upset. When they’re in a situation where they need to control their impulses, they can think about which "light" they need to follow: red for stopping and calming down, yellow for pausing to think, and green for moving forward when they’re ready. This craft provides a simple, visual reminder to practice self-control in challenging moments.

Eating together: Portion-controlled meal with pudding dishes next to the plate

Serve a balanced meal with appropriately sized portions, illustrating the importance of moderation and self-control in eating. Self-control is being practiced when trying to finish the main meal before eating the pudding.

Today’s Prayer: Grant me the strength of self-control. Help me manage my impulses and choose actions that align with Your will. May I find discipline in my thoughts, words, and deeds.