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Fruit of the Spirit Intergenerational Summer Lesson Series

First Presbyterian Church, Napa CA
Summer 2003 (Updated in 2016)


fruits-ga8be27719_640

This unit was designed to be done with families. If we have children who attend without their parents, we will include them in with one of our "core" church families.

Week one will be an "overview" lesson, followed by 9 weeks - a different "fruit" each week. This allows for families to come and go on vacations, with each Sunday being a "stand alone" lesson.

We will be giving each family a journal on their first week of joining us. Sometimes they will begin working on it during "classtime" and sometimes they will just work on it at home. Each subsequent week they'll receive more pages to work on and add to. A brief description of what is on each journal page will be within the lesson.

Each week will focus on one fruit and there will be 2 workshops. Families will be split into 2 groups with each group going to one workshop for 25 min. and then switching. Some weeks there will only be one workshop.

Each lesson is posted as a "reply" to keep them separate and not so long! I'll include notes as I can of what did and didn't work.



Editor's Note (2016):  Journal Sheets

Jan has since retired, so in 2016 Luanne Payne on behalf of Rotation.org, created a set of Journal pages using the brief descriptions Jan provided in her lessons.  The only one that did not have a description was Goodness, so a new one was created by Luanne.
Workshop Overviews with Supply Lists
As Luanne was reformatting each of the below lessons for readability and adding summaries and a supply lists for each lesson she decided to also create a two page "Weekly Workshop Overview & Supply List" for ease of planning and gathering supplies for this series of workshops.
Both are posted in the last post in this forum (found below) here.

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Fruit of the Spirit - Paul's letters and Overview

Drama Workshop Sketch

Week 1


Summary:
Narrated Tree Skit followed by a Fruit Salad snack.

Supplies: 1 shiny apple, 1 rotten banana, fruit salad, bowls, spoons, pencils, Journal Page:  “What fruit do you want to BEAR or GROW”.

Lesson

Have them sit in family groups. If there are any children without their parents, ask them to join in with another family.

Say: Here’s a question to discuss in your family group: If you could be any fruit in the world, what would it be and why?

After a minute or two, call their attention and ask a few people to share their answers with the group.

Say: In the Bible Jesus and others used fruit to teach us about how God wants us to live.

Tree Skit

Say: Get together with another family. In your group one of you will become the tree, one of you become the farmer, some of you will be the fruit on the tree, some of you will be people who will eventually pick and eat the fruit. Choose parts and then listen for your part.

Now let’s act it out ….The fruit tree is growing very large and healthy. What is the farmer doing to get the tree to be healthy? (water it, prune it, fertilizer it). FREEZE! Who do you think the farmer represents? Who do you think the tree represents?

Act it out again …. When the fruit tree is growing and healthy, what does the tree produce? (fruit). Ok, fruit, act out being very tiny and then growing and showing yourself on the tree. FREEZE! If the farmer is God, and the tree is us, what you do think the fruit represents? (our lives)

Act it out again … along come some people and they see your fruit. They pick it and eat it! Pretend it taste bad! FREEZE! What’s something you might be doing or saying that you’d have “bad” fruit? Taste again … pretend it tastes good. FREEZE! What would you be doing or saying that it would be good.

Fruit Salad Snack

Say: Let’s all sit together and share some plant fruit!

Pass out fruit salad for families to share. While they’re eating, Ask: When we eat plant fruit, we pop it into our mouths and it’s gone! No one can see it. But our “life fruit” shows to other people all the time. Think about the words you use, the things you do, and the way you treat others. That’s our “life fruit”. Does the way you talk and act show others that you know and love Jesus? Do your family and friends know by your “life fruit” that you belong to Jesus?

Is your life fruit like this? (show shiny apple) Or like this? (show rotten banana) Which do you think God prefers us to be like?

Matthew 7:20 say 'Thus by their fruit you will recognize them'

The fruit of the Spirit is what we’re going to spend the summer talking about. When we say we believe in Jesus and chose to follow him, then God’s Holy Spirit comes into our lives … to guide us and show us how to be a follower of Jesus.

Just like a tree grows “plant fruit” we grow “life fruit”. The life fruit is the fruit of the spirit … and let’s look at the Bible verse we’ll be learning:

When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23

Journal What Fruit would You want to Be?

Distribute pencils.

Say: Earlier I asked you “what fruit would you want to BE”. Now I’ll ask “what fruit do you want to BEAR or GROW”. Go to your family journal and turn to the first page. Look at the list of fruit and discuss together for a few minutes which life fruits you see in each other and those you each need to work on. Fill in the blanks on the sheet.

Closing

Watch the time and close in prayer before sending the families off to the other workshop.


Fruit of the Spirit - Paul's Letters

Art Workshop Sketch

Week 1


Summary:
Object Lesson “It’s Hard to Tell the Good News”, journal page, followed by creating a water color Cover Page for their journal.

Supplies: for each person: chocolate candy, a lemon slice, salty crackers, cups. Unsweetened Kool-Aid drink already mixed, and a pitcher of water, bibles.  Per family: pencil, a sheet of water color paper, a set of water colors, paper towels, paint brushes and a cup of water, doutangs, Journal Page-“Write 13 things they know about God.”

Lesson

Distribute Bibles and read together Philippians 2:9-11.

Object Lesson “It’s Hard to Tell the Good News”

Have each person eat a piece of candy and say, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” Then have each person suck on a lemon piece and say, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” Then have each person eat a salty cracker and again say, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” Lastly, have them try to wash down the crackers with unsweetened Kool-Aid as they say, “Jesus Christ is Lord.”

Pass out cups of water to wash it all down!

Say: There are times when it’s hard for our mouths to keep telling others about Jesus. But the apostle Paul was someone who never stopped telling people about Jesus … Who remembers Paul from last month at the LIGHT? What kind of things happened to Paul because he was a Christian? (beaten, jailed) Did he stop spreading the Good News? (no!)

Say: Paul was a writer. He wrote 13 books of the Bible with God’s help. He wrote the letter to the Philippians that I read from the verse above. He wrote the letter to the Galatians where he talks about the fruit of the Spirit. He wrote more books in the Bible than anyone else.

Ask: How many books of the Bible did Paul write? (13)

Hand out 2nd page in their journal. Tell them to work with their family and write 13 things they know about God.

As they write ask “Is it easy or difficult to write 13 things you know about God?”

Do you think it was easy or difficult for Paul to write 13 entire books? Why? Paul had very special help from God, and Paul wrote exactly what God told him to write.

If you didn’t think of 13, you can finish at home and ask God to help you. Be aware in every day things how good God is and you will notice more things to add to your list. You might even discover more than 13 things about God and you can continue the list on the back!

Art Journal Cover Activity

Say: We’re going to work on the cover for your Fruit Journal. Pass out one water color paper to each family and a set of water colors. Also paper towels, paint brushes and a cup for water.

Tell the parents to sketch a tree lightly with a pencil. Kids will water color the tree. Ok to paint scenery around it, but DO NOT paint fruit on the tree. Each week they’ll get a sticker to add to the tree with the fruit we learned about that week.

As they work, ask them to talk about in their family why they think their faith might be like a tree. Tell them that the journal page has a place to record this … parents can record while kids are painting.

Closing

Pass out to all family members a doutang to use as there Journal holder.

Watch the time so they can clean up and move on to the other workshop.


Jan @ First Presbyterian Church, Napa CA

Some ideas from these lessons came from:
Rotation.org
Children's Ministry Magazine, July-August, 2001
Msscrafts.com and its ministry links

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Last edited by Luanne Payne

Fruit of the Spirit - Love

Games Workshop Sketch

Week 2


Summary:
Stuck Like Glue Game, God First Object Lesson, then Love Toss Game.

Supplies: clipboards, balls or bean bags.

Lesson

Game #1: Stuck Like Glue
Have everyone get a partner with someone in their family, preferably one parent and one child, but any combination will do. For children without parents present, have them link up with another child who doesn’t have a parent with them.

Have the partners put the palm of their right hands together and start saying this chant: “I love you, so we’re stuck like glue.” Keep saying it and encourage them to say it with you.
Then tell them that you’re going to give them other instructions. You’re going to say 2 body parts and whoever is older of the 2 partners will do what the first body part says, younger will do the second body party.

Try an example: “I love you, so we’re stuck nose to shoulder.” The older person of the 2 would put their nose on the younger person’s shoulder.

Continue in other patterns like:
Knee to chin, chin to elbow, ear to nose, shoulder to ankle, etc.
Play for a short time, then have them sit in family groups.

Have families get a Bible and find and read Matthew 22:37-38, the greatest commandment. Ask if they know any other verses about love. Look them up and read together.

Ask: I wonder why we should love God? I wonder what are some ways that we can show our love to God?

God First Object Lesson

Give each family an index card. Show how to fold the card in half, short ends together. Unfold, and to the left of the fold, draw a heart about 2" wide. Just to the right of the fold, write the word "GOD". Hold the card at arm's length, stare at the center fold, and slowly move the card toward your face, letting your eyes go out of focus. Watch how "GOD" jumps into the heart. God wants to be first in our hearts.

Journal:
If there are any kids without parents in attendance, have them get with another family but use their own journal page.
Distribute pencils and clipboards.
Distribute the page titled LOVE. Tell them to create a Top Ten Love List … listing 10 things they love. Each family member should contribute to the list. Then write down 10 ways to show others love … like their parents, children, teachers, friends, people at church, people they don’t know, etc.
Give them about 3-5 minutes to complete writing.
Ring the bell to signal time’s up.

Game #2 - Love Toss Game

Have families put their journals to the side and find another family and form a circle with them.
Distribute balls or bean bags – one to each circle. Tell them that when you say “go” the person with the ball should toss it to someone in the other family. When the person catches it, that person should name one of the things on their family’s Top Ten Love Lists. Then that person tosses the ball to someone in the other family and the person who catches it says something on their family’s Top Ten Love List.
After a short time, have the families switch and find a new family to circle up with. Repeat the same process but this time they should name something from the list they made of “how to show love”.
After a short time, have them all sit in their family group.

Say: In this last game Love-Toss, we don't hold on to the ball, we pass it on. In the same way, if we have Jesus living in us, we must pass on his love to those around us!

Closing:

If time, have them return to their journal page and have each person write down one way that they will share God’s love today. Encourage them to take the page home and add it to their journal. For those who don’t have a journal yet, give them one.

Hand out a Love Sticker to each family, if they have not received one yet, to go on their cover page.


Fruit of the Spirit - Love

Video Workshop
Week
2


Summary:
The Best Love Magic Trick object lesson followed by watching “The Gourds Must be Crazy (15 min.). 

Supplies: ordinary Deck of Cards, popcorn and drinks, “Are You My Neighbour VeggieTales DVD” (includes The Gourds Must be Crazy), Love Sticker/family (*make your own or purchase Fruit of the Spirit stickers on-line – you will need a set of all nine fruits per family.)

Lesson

The Best Love Magic Trick

Practice and plan ahead:
For this effect you will need to practice!!! This is a sleight of hand effect. Get an ordinary deck of cards. Find the Ace of hearts and place it on the top of the deck. Place the deck in your left hand with the top of the deck facing your fingers and the bottom of the deck facing your thumb. One of the long sides will be resting in your palm. Place the middle finger of your right hand on the short side facing away from you and your thumb on the short side facing toward you. Pull up on the center of the short sides of the deck with your right hand middle finger and thumb while allowing your left hand middle finger to gently press on the top card (Ace of Hearts). This will keep the Ace of hearts on the top of the deck.

Presentation:
(Choose someone to help you.) Who do you think cares about you more than anyone else? That's right, God does. God loves you more than anyone else could ever love you. Even more than your parents love you, if you can imagine.

God will never let you down. He will never hurt you, because He will always love you. I have an ordinary deck of cards here in my hand. (Fan through the deck to show the many different cards.) I am going to start shuffling the deck. When I ask you, I want you to choose a place for me to stop shuffling. We will then take the card from the top of the deck to see what you have chosen. Are you ready? Okay, select a place for me to stop shuffling. (Be very obvious that you are taking the top card, so that the children cannot say that you took the card from somewhere else.) You have chosen the Ace of hearts. Since the hearts represent love, then you have chosen the biggest and best card filled with the most love. You made the best choice possible. That is exactly what will happen when you choose to love God. You will find that He is the best person for you to share your love with, because He will always love you.

Watch video - The Gourds Must be Crazy

Say: Since God loves us, God wants us to love others. Distribute Bibles and have families look up Matthew 22:27-40. Today our video is about loving others.

Distribute popcorn and show: Veggie’s Tales – The Gourds Must be Crazy (15 min.) - this is the second half of the Veggie Tales video called "Are You My Neighbor".

Closing

Hand out a Love Sticker to each family, if they have not received one yet, to go on their cover page.


Jan @ First Presbyterian Church, Napa CA

Some ideas for this lesson were adapted from:
Christianitytoday.com
Chrisitancrafters.com, S. A. Keith
Msscrafts.com and its links
rotation.org
Bible Zone by Abingdon Press - Fruit of the Spirit

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Last edited by Luanne Payne

Fruit of the Spirit - Joy

Game Workshop Sketch

Week 3


Summary:
Play 3 Games - Orange Game, Freeze Sculptor Game, and What Makes You Happy Game.

Supplies: 3 Oranges, VeggieTales CD “25 Favorite Sunday School Songs”, a bell, church flyer of summer events (if you have one), Joy Sticker*, Joy Journal Page, Joy Sticker*.

Lesson

Game #1: Juicy Joy Orange
Have families make 3 circles. (If not many people, then 2 circles.) Give each circle an orange. Play the song on the CD called “I’ve got the Joy” (Down in My Heart) by Veggie Tales. Tell them they’ll be playing “Juicy Joy Orange” like Hot Potato. Start passing the orange around the circle, when you stop the music, the person with the orange should say something that makes them joyful. Then restart the music and continue.

Game #2: Joy Freeze Sculptor
Have each family work together. If there are children without parents present, put them in a family group.

Say: I want you to create a statue. Choose one person in your family group to be the sculptor. The others are the clay. The sculptor has been chosen, The sculptor will create a statue called JOY. The only catch is that the sculptor may not touch the clay in any way. The sculptor may only use words to explain to the clay how to pose. Ready, go!

After a short time, tell everyone to FREEZE! Go to each family and have the sculptor explain their creation while other families watch and listen.

Game #3: What Makes You Happy
Have everyone get back in their circle group from the Orange game and sit down.

Say: Our story today is about a very joyful event. At the time, everyone agreed that it was the most joyful ting that had ever happened and that ever would happen. Even today everyone agrees. Everybody likes to be joyful and happy. But not everyone agrees on what makes us joyful and happy.

Everyone in your group in this game must agree on one thing that makes all of you happy. If for example I said, “What makes you happy at school?”, then your group must find an answer you all agree on. If even one person doesn’t agree, you must find another answer. It’s not going to be as easy as it sounds. When your team agrees, send one person to the podium to ring the bell.

Situation #1 - what makes you happy in the summer?
Situation #2 – what makes you happy at church?
Situation #3 - what makes you happy on your birthday?
Situation #4 - what makes you happy in the mornings?

When the first person comes up to ring the bell, repeat the question again and have them tell what they agreed on. Then that situation question is done and you may ask the next question for them to agree on.

After the last question, say:

See, some things are hard to agree on! But can you guess what the story everyone agrees that is the most joyful? It’s the story of Jesus’ resurrection … what we celebrate as Easter!

When Mary and the other women went to the tomb that morning, they got a big surprise! They went in sadness, ready to prepare Jesus’ body for burial. But instead they found an angel who told them that Jesus was alive! Mary and the others couldn’t keep the news to themselves, they had to hurry and tell the others. They ran all the way! We, too, as followers of Jesus should share the joy of Jesus’ resurrection and his love for us with others.

Journal

Hand out Joy Journal Page. Discuss some practical ideas within your family that you could share the joy with others. Decide on one thing your family will do this week to share the joy.

Distribute a copy of the Family LIGHT summer flyer (substitute a summer flyer from your church) and tell them that one way they can share the joy is by inviting others to church!

Hand out a Joy Sticker to each family if they have not received one yet to go on their cover page.


Fruit of the Spirit - Joy

Art Workshop Sketch

Week 3


Summary: 
Each family will make a Joy Jar, then look up Scripture references provided in their bibles and then they will print those scriptures onto paper and insert into their Joy Jar.

Supplies: Newspaper, verse List (you need to compile a list of scripture references on JOY – not provided in lesson), jars, beads, elastic, bibles, paper, scissors and pencils.

Lesson

Show a newspaper and ask: What is a newspaper for? (to report the news)

Pass out a section of newspaper to each family. Say: Newspapers report both good news and bad news. Find a GOOD news article and read it with your family.

Say: I wonder what it would be like if there were only good news allowed in the newspaper? I wonder what would happen if there were only good things that happened in the world? What would newspapers look like then?

Activity: Joy Jars

Ask: As Christians we have GOOD NEWS … what is it? When we are followers of Jesus, we can’t help but feel the JOY of knowing that Jesus lives! The Bible is filled with verses that reassure us and fill us with joy. We’re going to make Joy Jars for our families to keep in a special place that will remind us that we are special to God and that God wants us to have JOY!

Show sample, explain what it is, and explain process.

Ask: Do you ever have bad news in your family? Do you ever feel sad? The Bible can point us to joy! Guess how many times the word JOY can be found in the Bible …. Over 190 times!

Here is a list of some of those verses for you to look up and put in your family Joy Jar. When you’re feeling sad and need some joy, pull a verse out and talk about it. Or maybe once a week you’ll want to take out a verse and read the whole story around it. When you focus on the joy of being a child of God, you can’t be sad!

Say: Here’s one verse from a psalm that speaks of joy (also on the Joy Journal page): Shout to the LORD, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for JOY! Psalm 98:4

Tell them that after they finish, they can write their own Psalm on the journal page – or write it at home if they run out of time.

Process: Assign different jobs to family members. Each person should do some of each.

String beads on the pre-cut pieces of elastic. Leave a space at each end for tying. Place it around the jar.

Use markers to write their family name or individual names on the lid.

A list of references (teacher as previously compiled), Bibles, paper, scissors and pencils will be distributed. They should look up the references, copy it onto a small section of paper, cut it out, fold it and place it in the Joy Jar.

Closing

If they finish early tell them to work on writing their joy psalm.

Hand out a Joy Sticker to each family if they have not received one yet to go on their cover page.


Jan @ First Presbyterian Church, Napa CA

Some ideas adapted from Abingdon Press, Bible Zone, Fruit of the Spirit

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Last edited by Luanne Payne

Fruit of the Spirit - Peace

Drama Workshop Sketch

Week 4

Only one workshop this week-everyone together.

Summary: Play a Balloon Game, then children do Dove dot-to-dot while some parents prep to do a Drama Script about David & Abigail “Showdown at the Baa Baa Corral”. 

Editor Notes:
You need to purchase the following book for this workshop:
Originally the puppet script and dove dot-to-dot was found in the Abingdon Press Bible Zone Fruit of the Spirit book – that book is now out of print (see update below).
Update 2016:  this same script has been reprinted, as a drama, in the book “All-In-One-Bible-Fun Series: Fruit of The Spirit” for Elementary Children, by Abingdon Press, 2009, 978142707827.  Therefore I've updated the lesson to indicate same.


Supplies:

  • Balloons blown up
  • costumes - 3 cowboy hats, 1 cowboy sheriff hat & badge, 2 bandannas, 1 moustache, 1 apron, 1 rope, 1 dress & bonnet.
  • Peace Journal Page, Peace Sticker*, pencils.
  • Book “All-In-One-Bible-Fun Series: Fruit of The Spirit” for Elementary Children, by Abingdon Press, 2009, 978142707827 (see note above).
    copies of dot-to-dot page (page 38), 5 copies of script (page 34-35).

 

Lesson

One workshop this week with all families together.

Balloon Game

Divide the group into 2 teams – easily divided by which side they’re sitting on. Tell them their mission is to get all the balloons on the other team’s side.

Hand out an even number of balloons to each team and on go, they’re to stay sitting but swat the balloons towards the other team.

After a while, say FREEZE! Ask them if it was hard to get all the balloons to the other side and why? (the other team was fighting back!)

Ask: How was this game with the balloons like our words or actions when we want to be right and so does the other person?

Dot-to-Dot Activity Page

Pass out clipboards, a dot to dot page and a pencil to each child. Tell them to work the dot to dot.

Prep “Showdown at the Baa Baa Corral”

While the children are doing the dot-to-dot, ask for 5 adult volunteers to do the “Showdown at the Baa Baa Corral” skit. 

The parts are:
Narrator - Workshop leader will do this part.

cowboy hats, bandannas, moustache, apron, rope

  1. Nabal – the wealthy but insensitive sheep rancher (cowboy hat/mustache)
  2. Miss Abigail – his beautiful and peace-loving wife (dress and/or bonnet)
  3. Marshall David – the handsome young marshall (sheriff cowboy hat/bandanna)
  4. Lefty – the ranch hand (cowboy hat/bandanna/rope)
  5. Shorty – the chuckwagon cook (cowboy hat/apron)


Assign parts to the 5 adults, give them each a script, have them grab a costumeet their assigned puppet and go behind stage. They should read through it once. Tell them to come up with good voices and don’t forget to work the puppets as they talk!

When the kids finish their dot to dot, ask what it’s a picture of. (dove) Say: The dove is a symbol of peace and a symbol for the Holy Spirit. Isn’t that interesting! I guess that’s why one of the fruits of the Spirit is peace!

Present “Showdown at the Baa Baa Corral”

Say: We’re going to watch a puppet show. The story is about someone who worked to keep the peace. It didn’t make any difference to her what was right or wrong or who was right or wrong – the important thing was that the two groups of people avoid fighting. I want you, the audience, to watch for the conflict or problem and what was done to make peace. After the show we’ll talk about it.

BEGIN THE DRAMA (PUPPET) SHOW

Drama – script is found in the book “All-In-One-Bible-Fun Series: Fruit of The Spirit” for Elementary Children, by Abingdon Press,


After the show:

Can you believe this story is in the Bible? Well, we added the western theme, but Marshall David was David ... remember him? Shepherd, anointed by God, killed a giant with a slingshot, became king! The events did happen, but not like a western! And there really was a Nabal and an Abigail.

In today’s story there was a problem – what was it? Who solved the problem early, before it could become a much bigger problems. (Abigail)

The Bible tells a story of something that happened to David after he fled from King Saul’s palace … this happened before David became king. Abigail, the wife of a rough sheep rancher, went against what women were allowed to do back then to right a wrong committed by her husband. She took a chance to keep the peace.

She stepped in and kept one person from doing something he would have regretted. Did Abigail cause the problem? (no) However, she stepped in to find the solution to the problem.

Sometimes we are called to step in to be peacemakers. Sometimes we cause the problem. Then it’s important to stop and make peace. Sometimes we may not have caused the problem, but we can still sometimes help people stop the conflict.

Jesus led a life of peace. He set an example of how to live a life of peace and respond to others in a peace-filled manner.
 
Peace Journal

Turn to your journal page PEACE – discuss it briefly, but they’ll probably have to complete at home for lack of time.

It includes:
When our family has a conflict between two or more family members, these are some steps we will take to bring peace:
God’s love brings us peace. Have each person write a quality or attribute of God by each letter ... P E A C E

Closing

Hand out a Peace Sticker to each family to go on their cover page.


Jan @ First Presbyterian Church, Napa CA

Some ideas adapted from: Abingdon Press, Bible Zone, Fruit of the Spirit (1998)

Abingdon Press, “All-In-One-Bible-Fun Series: Fruit of The Spirit” for Elementary Children (2009)

Editor updated lesson to include the second book, as the original book is now out of print.  Also updated lesson from a puppet to drama to align the material to work with the newer book.

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.

Last edited by Luanne Payne

Fruit of the Spirit - Patience

Drama Workshop Sketch

Week 5


Summary:
Play a Laughing Game then hear Sarah’s story (script read by workshop leader), sing and dance to the song Father Abraham.

Editor Notes:
You need to purchase the following book for this workshop:
Originally the Sarah's story script was found in the Abingdon Press Bible Zone Fruit of the Spirit book – that book is now out of print (see update below).
Update 2016:  this same story script has been reprinted in the book “All-In-One-Bible-Fun Series: Fruit of The Spirit” for Elementary Children, by Abingdon Press, 2009, 978142707827.  Therefore I've updated the lesson to indicate same.


Supplies: 

  • Bible times costume for Sarah
  • Pencils
  • book “All-In-One-Bible-Fun Series: Fruit of The Spirit” for Elementary Children, by Abingdon Press, 2009, 978142707827 (see note above).  
    Sarah's story script & sign language found on pages 44-46.
  • CD with the song “Father Abraham” (learn the actions to the song so you can teach everyone).

Lesson

Opening - Laughing Game

Have everyone sit in 2 or 3 circles. Say: In your group, answer these questions:

Do you like to laugh?
What’s something you’ve seen that has made you laugh?
What’s something you’ve heard that has made you laugh?

Laughing is fun, it makes us feel better. Sometimes we laugh at something someone says because it sounds silly. We’re going to play a laughing game but object of the game is to NOT laugh!

Listen for instructions first:
Have one person in your group start. They turn to the person on their left, look directly in their eyes and say “ha”. Then that person turns to the person on their left and says “ha ha”. Pass the “ha” all the way around the circle, each person adding one more “ha” to it. BUT if anyone laughs you have to start over! Go!

Sarah's Story

After awhile, stop and say: It’s fun to be silly. Our story today is about someone who laughs because of something she hears. Let’s all dress in Bible times costumes. Sit in the tent if enough room.

Workshop leader will be Sarah. Script can be found in “All-In-One-Bible-Fun Series: Fruit of The Spirit” for Elementary Children, by Abingdon Press.

You will first teach them Sign Language “Be patient; wait for the Lord.”  (directions included with book script.  Then tell the story, stopping at the designated places for them to sign.

Sing/Dance to Father Abraham

After the story, say:

You might have heard of a song called Father Abraham that talks about his many sons.

Go outside the tent and sing and dance to the song “Father Abraham”.

Closing

Hand out a Patience Sticker, if they have not received one yet, to each family to go on their cover page.

----------------------------------------------------

Jan @ First Presbyterian Church, Napa CA

Some ideas adapted from: Abingdon Press, Bible Zone, Fruit of the Spirit (1998)

Abingdon Press, “All-In-One-Bible-Fun Series: Fruit of The Spirit” for Elementary Children (2009)

Editor updated lesson to include the second book, as the original book is now out of print.  Also updated lesson to align the material to work with the newer book.

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Fruit of the Spirit - Patience

Gardening/Art Workshop Sketch

Week 5


Summary:
Patience Skit followed by decorating a family flowerpot and planting marigold seeds in it, then finishing with the Patience Journal.

Supplies: small terra cotta flowerpot/family, paints, paint brushes, potting soil, pack of marigold seeds/family, Patience Journal page, Patience Sticker*.

Lesson

Opening Patience Skit

Ask: Have you ever had to wait for something you really wanted? (birthdays, Christmas, summer vacation, etc.) Is it easy to wait?

Ask for 2 volunteers. Secretly tell one of them to be waiting in line at the store impatiently and one patiently.

Say to the others: One of these two is going to act out waiting in line at the store impatiently and one patiently. Don’t say anything until they’re done and we’ll vote which you think is which.

Have one and then other act it out.

Hold your hand over the head of one of the actors. Say: If you think this person was showing patient fruit, quack like a duck. Hold your hand over the other person’s head and say: If you think this person was showing patient fruit, moo like a cow.

Reflection

Ask: How did you know which was patient and which wasn’t?

Say: Remember that God always keeps His promises, no matter how long it takes. Having patience and waiting for God’s promises is hard because God’s time is not always the same as our time.

When we pray, God always answers our prayers. But we want our prayers answered now! We want our blessings now! We want everything instantly! And sometimes God’s answer to our pray is “wait a little while, I need to do some growing work in you!”

We need to grow our patience! And speaking of growing, it takes patience to grow things! Moms & Dads, does it take patience to grow a child? Kids, does it take patience to grow up and be able to do different things?

Art Activity: Decorate & Plant Marigold Seeds in a Flowerpot

We’re going to plant some seeds that you can take home. It’s going to take patience for the seeds to grow into a plant. Do you think you have enough patience?

Give each family a small terra cotta flowerpot. They’ll paint a design on the pot then fill it with potting soil. Each family will get a pack of marigold seeds to plant. Have them take home the seed pack for instructions.

Patience Journal

If they finish their project early, have them take out their Patience Journal page and work on it together. If not, remind them to do it at home.

Journal page includes for each family:

________________ needs God’s help to be patient with ______________.

Pray for each other for these areas where you each need patience!

Read these verses together, have each family member choose one to illustrate and then describe what it means to you ...

“Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can crush strong opposition.” Proverbs 25:15

“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other – each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other.” Romans 15:5

“We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy.” Colossians 1:11

Closing

Hand out a Patience Sticker, if they have not received one yet, to each family to go on their cover page.

--------------------------------------------

Jan @ First Presbyterian Church, Napa CA

Some ideas adapted from: Abingdon Press, Bible Zone, Fruit of the Spirit (1998)

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Fruit of the Spirit - Kindness

Video Workshop Sketch

Week 6


Summary:  One workshop for all families - Watch video “Miracles of Jesus”.

Supplies: Popcorn, drinks, clapping hands toys (1 per family in workshop), Video – Miracles of Jesus (Nest Entertainment). Donut Man Barnyard Fun DVD (optional), Kindness Journal, Kindness Sticker*.

Lesson

As families line up at the door, announce that they must ask for permission to enter the room then tell something kind they will do once they enter.

Ask the kids to do an act of kindness by serving their parents popcorn and a drink first, then taking their own.

When all are seated with popcorn and drinks, show video, distribute "clapping hands", one to each family.Hand Clappers Tell them that they are to watch the expressions on Jesus' face and watch the miracles Jesus performs. When they see kindness, they're to use the "clapping hands" and clap. Once someone in your family has used the "clapping hands", be kind and pass it to someone else in your family to watch for the next thing.

(Note: It was very cool to hear all the clapping, at the miracles of course, but also at times I would not have thought ... like actions of the other characters in the video!)

Show the video: MIRACLES OF JESUS from Nest Entertainment

After movie, discuss how Jesus even though Jesus was God and could do what he did, he was also human and showed kindness to everyone.

If extra time, show the “Fruits of the Spirit” song from Donut Man Barnyard Fun video.

Kindness Journal

Family Journal suggests they watch a TV show or movie together as a family and record "kind fruit" and "unkind fruit" (actions and words). Talk about which fruit you think God liked best in the show. How about your own kindness fruit? Has it been showing lately? Think of one kind thing to do for each person in your family this week.

Closing

Hand out a Kindness Sticker to each family, if they have not received one yet, to go on their cover page.

Notice to go home with Parents: Ask everyone to bring next week a blender and one type of fruit and one type of juice. Families can double up to work with the blenders.

Jan @ First Presbyterian Church, Napa CA

Clapping Hand Toy Picture - Oriental Trading.com

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Attachments

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  • Hand Clappers
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Fruit of the Spirit - Goodness

Cooking Workshop Sketch

Week 7

 

Summary:  All families in one workshop. Sock/Money Object Lesson, hear the story of the Widow's Mite & then making fruit smoothies to sell.

Supplies: 5 socks - 25 pennies in one, 2 quarters in one,  6 dimes in one, 8 nickels in one,  a dollar bill in one. Yogurt, ice, cups and straws (blenders, fruit, fruit juice parents bring).  Cardstock and markers for signs, bibles.  Goodness Journal Page, and Goodness Sticker*.

Lesson

Ask: When I say the word “good” what are some things that pop into your mind?

Say: One way the word “good” is used in the Bible to refer to people is when people are generous and giving and not selfish with what they have – giving things and themselves (like their time and talents) to each other and to God.

Sock/Money Object Lesson

I mentioned being generous and giving, and especially at church we often think of that as giving money. So I want to try something with money.

There will be 25 pennies in one sock, the 2 quarters in the second sock, the 6 dimes in a third sock, the 8 nickels in a fourth sock and the one dollar bill in the fifth sock.

What you do:
Show them the five socks. Explain that each sock contains an offering. Each sock will be passed around from person to person. The object is for them to decide as a group which sock has the largest offering in it.

First pass around the penny sock. After each person has had a chance to hold it, bring it to the front and place it in plain view. When the second sock has been all the way around the circle, have them decide whether the offering inside is larger or smaller by the way it feels. Place it in front of the first offering if they say larger and behind the first offering if they say smaller. Continue in this manner until all the socks are lined up from largest to smallest offering. Open each sock and show how much money is in each sock. Help them to understand that the value of the offering did not lie in the fact of how heavy or full it felt, but in the worth of the coins.

Story of The Widow's Mite

Say: In our Bible story today, Jesus said the amount of coins or the value of the coins is not important when you bring an offering. Let's find out what kind of offerings Jesus wants.

Each family should take a Bible. Find and read Mark 12:41-44.

Say: Discuss within your family -- I wonder why Jesus said that the poor widow gave more than the others when she actually gave less?

After they've discussed for a bit, recap for making sure this is concluded:

Jesus isn’t just talking about money here! The goodness or worth of a something – no matter what it is – isn’t judged by how big or how much, but by … what? [the spirit in which its given – do you give out of thanks or just give to give out of duty because you have to]. Gifts of any size are pleasing to God when they’re given with a “good” or “right” heart.

Goodness Journal

Distribute GOODNESS journal page and think of things that you have given in the past or can give this coming week, Gifts of any size, that would be pleasing to God because you gave them with a “good” or “right” heart.

Think of things that you have given in the past or can give this coming week, gifts of any size that would be pleasing to God, because you gave them with a “good” or “right” heart.

Helpful hints - things you can do for others without being asked by your parents or your spouse.  Sockfull (thoughtful) Gift ideas.  Do a goodness in secret. like cleaning your room without being asked, or putting the dishes into the dishwasher or emptying the dishwasher, etc, do it without being asked, but instead out of the goodness of your heart.  Fill-in the socks with ideas that you come up with.  When you get home attach this to the fridge and have everyone add to it in the coming weeks.

Fruit Smoothie Stand

With at least 25 minutes or more, call everyone’s attention and begin the Fruit Smoothie stand!

We will be selling smoothies at coffee hour. The money we collect no matter how big or small will be given to ______________. Some people may only be able to give a small amount and some may give more, but together we can do great things for God!

Closing:

Hand out a Goodness Sticker to each family to go on their cover page.


Note: The previous week I asked everyone who would be coming this week to bring a blender and one type of fruit and one type of juice. Families doubled up and it worked out great. Kids made signs to show what fruits and juices were in their smoothies, sat behind their tables and we collected a "good" amount of money!


Jan @ First Presbyterian Church, Napa CA

No Goodness Journal Information provided with the original lesson.
Luanne Payne created a Goodness Journal Idea & matching Sheet in 2016.
(sheet included in Journal Attachment found in very last post)

Sock/money idea from NAD Children's Ministries

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Fruit of the Spirit - Faithfulness

Drama Workshop Sketch

Week 8


Theme: Our faithfulness to God

Summary: Talk about promises, hear and act out the bible story of 8 year old Josiah and search for hidden scrolls. Work on their Faithfulness Journal.

Supplies: 10 pieces tan cardstock, a few sheets of blue cardstock, children's bible story book with the story of Josiah (to be your narrated script), Faithfulness Journal Page, Faithfulness Sticker*.

Advance prep:

  • Print out one of each of the ten commandments on a tan colored piece of paper, roll like a scroll and tie with ribbon/rubber band.
  • Copy a variety of pictures onto blue paper, things you would find in a “destroyed temple” like a broken jar, snakes, etc. then roll and tie ALL with ribbon or rubber bands. 
  • Hide all scrolls around the room.


Lesson Plan

Have everyone sit in the tent. If too many to sit in the tent, sit in a circle on the floor.

Promises

Ask if they know what a promise is.

Ask for some examples of promises. Here are a few to share:

  1. If your mom says, “I will take you to the park”, that is a promise.
    Your mom is saying that she will do something; she will take you to the park.
  2. If your dad says, “I promise that I will not pull your tooth out. I will only wiggle it to see how loose it is”, he is making a promise. He is saying that he will not do something-- he will not pull out your tooth; and he is saying that he will do something-- he will only wiggle your tooth.


Ask: Is it important to keep our promises? Explain that to make a promise is a serious thing. It is saying that you are going to do or not going to do something. It is not pretend, but you should really mean what you say.

Explain that the Bible is full of God’s promises for us. God is always faithful to His promises. Because God wants us to be more and more like Jesus all the time, God wants us to be faithful back to God!

Act out the story of Josiah

Say: Today our story from the Bible is about a boy who became king when he was only 8 years old! His name was Josiah. The people who lived long ago when Josiah did were NOT very faithful to God.

Say: Let’s get on costumes so we can be like the people who lived long ago in Bible times.

You can use any children’s story Bible to tell the story. Begin with the boy king Josiah having the temple cleaned out and rebuilt. At this time have families pretend to be cleaning and rebuilding the temple. Have them “find” scrolls you’ve previously hidden as they clean.

When scrolls have all been found, have families sit in a large circle, each of them taking one scroll. Non readers will take the blue scrolls with pictures.

If there are more scrolls than people, have some people take more than one. Tell them not to open them yet until you say. Tell them they will help to tell the story – when you point to someone, they should open and read their scroll.

Continue with the story, telling how the people were confused by these words because they weren’t familiar to them/hadn’t heard them before. As you tell the story, point to someone to read their scroll. Continue till they’re all read. Explain how it was remembered that these were the “lost scrolls of the laws”.

After the story, ask:

Did you recognize the laws? [10 commandments]

I wonder why the people forgot God’s commands and became unfaithful to God?

I wonder what kind of things the people started doing to be faithful to God and live by God’s commands?

I wonder what kind of things God is trying to tell you to do to be faithful to Him? Let’s look at our FAITHFULNESS journal pages.

The journal page has 3 sections:

1. Ways that God is faithful to our family
2. Ways that our family is faithful to God
3. Our plan to grow in our faithfulness to God this summer will be:

Tell families to complete the square titled: Ways our family is faithful to God. If time also complete the box titled: Our plan to grow in our faithfulness to God this summer will be. They will probably need to finish at home.

Closing:

Hand out a Faithfulness Sticker to each family if they have not received one yet to go on their cover page.


Fruit of the Spirit - Faithfulness

Art Workshop Sketch

Week 8


Theme: God’s faithfulness to us

Summary: Talk about God's promises and faithfulness, followed by creating Tear Art.

Supplies: Name badge Stickers, copies of God’s Promises to Me Hand out (see below), half sheets of white cardstock, assorted colors of construction paper, glue, large (11x17) black construction paper, CD – Praise Music.

Advance prep:

On name badge stickers write/print “Ask me about God’s promises!”.

Lesson Plan

Be sure to have a sticker on yourself.

Ask me about God's Promises!

If they don’t comment, ask questions like: Do you like my sticker? Do you know what it says? Do you know what I like about this sticker? People ask me about God’s promises when I wear it! It’s a great sticker for followers of Jesus to wear. Would you like a sticker like this?

I promise I will let you each have a sticker before you leave. But first, you asked me about God’s promises, didn’t you?! Let’s look at some promises God has made to us in His word in the Bible.

Pass out one “God’s Promises for Me” sheet to each family. (follows at end of lesson) Go around the circle and ask people to take turns reading them.

Tear Art Activity

Tell them that everyone is going to illustrate one of these promises that they find the most comforting. You will be doing a “tear art” project.

Pass out the half sheets of white cardstock. Tell them to write one of the promises, or another biblical promise from God, across the top or bottom of this half-sheet. Then taking different colors of construction paper, they will tear small pieces off and glue them on to the white half sheet. They can make a concrete picture of what the verse means to them or they can make something abstract. Parents can work with their youngest children. After they finish, give each family a large (11x17) black piece of construction paper so they can use that as a “frame” and glue all their family art on one (or two if necessary).

As they work, play a CD of praise music.


Journal

Distribute FAITHFULNESS journal pages. If parents finish before time is up, have parents begin a conversation about the first square: Ways that God is faithful to our family.

Closing:

Hand out a Faithfulness Sticker to each family if they have not received one yet to go on their cover page.

 


Jan @ First Presbyterian Church, Napa CA 

Some ideas adapted from Abingdon Press, Bible Zone, Fruit of the Spirit

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GOD’S PROMISES FOR ME …

GOD PROMISES ETERNAL LIFE TO ALL WHO CALL ON HIS NAME
GOD WILL FORGIVE ME
GOD WILL BE WITH ME
NOTHING CAN SEPARATE ME FROM GOD’S LOVE
GOD WILL COMPLETE HIS GOOD WORK IN ME
GOD’S SPIRIT WILL HELP ME BEAR FRUIT
GOD HEARS MY PRAYERS
GOD WILL GUIDE ME
GOD WILL PROVIDE ALL MY NEEDS
GOD WILL NOT WITHHOLD ANY GOOD THING FROM ME
GOD IS SLOW TO GET ANGRY WITH ME
GOD WILL GIVE ME STRENGTH
THOUGH I STUMBLE, GOD WILL NOT LET ME FALL
GOD WILL DISCIPLINE ME WITH LOVE
GOD PLANS GOOD FOR ME
GOD WILL BE WITH ME IN HARD TIMES
GOD WILL NOT BRING ANY UNNECESSARY SUFFERING INTO MY LIFE
GOD WILL DELIVER ME FROM ALL MY TROUBLES
GOD’S MERCIES FOR ME ARE NEW EVERY DAY
GOD WORKS ALL THINGS TOGETHER FOR GOOD FOR ME
GOD WILL NOT FORGET HIS PROMISES TO ME
GOD WILL HELP ME FIGHT THE FIGHT OF FAITH
I CAN STAND ON THE PROMISES OF GOD
TRUSTING IN GOD’S PROMISES LEADS TO OBEDIENCE TO GOD

 


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Fruit of the Spirit - Gentleness

Games Workshop Sketch

Week 9


Summary: 2 Games – Bubble Game and a Balloon Game demonstrating gentleness.

Supplies: Bible, per family - a balloon, a pin, seven small slips of paper, and a pen.

Lesson

Game #1: Bubbles
Give each family a bottle of bubbles. Have 1 person in their family blow the bubbles and the others try to catch them without popping them. While they play, ask: what do you have to do to the bubbles to keep from popping them? (be gentle!)

After a while, have them all sit.

Ask everyone for ideas of using the word gentle to describe something: (if they have trouble getting started, suggest: gentle rain, gentleman, gentle touch, gentle scolding …)

Say: The definition of gentle is: kind, considerate, not harsh

A gentle person is one who is not rough or violent.
A gentle person is one who is sensitive and unselfish.
A gentle person thinks about other people's feelings and does not want to hurt someone or give him or her pain.
They are kind and considerate. When you have the Peace of God in your heart, it is easy to have a GENTLE Spirit.

Gentleness is not for wimps – doesn’t mean someone who is weak or a pushover. Takes someone strong to be gentle. You have to put others needs ahead of your own.

Say: When I think about being gentle, I think about the way I talk to others and the way they talk to me. Sometimes, we can be having a great day and then someone uses a very harsh voice with us and it makes us really upset. Sometimes we’re the ones with that harsh voice.

Game #2: Balloon Toss

Read aloud Colossians 3:12-14. Say: When we do these things, we make family members feel special. And we make our family stronger and happier.

Give each family a balloon, seven small slips of paper, and a pen.

Say: Write ways you've experienced each gentleness in your family. For example, one family might write, "Suzie hugged me after a bad day at work."

Then roll up the slips of paper, place them in a balloon, blow it up, and tie it off. When everyone is done …

Say: When our family is gentle with us, it makes our families fun to be with.

Have each family bat their balloon around, trying to keep them in the air. After a few minutes, let the balloons settle to the floor.

Say: There are other actions and words that are not gentle that hurt families. They're like a bee. Bees pollinate flowers, but they can also sting you.

Pass out a pin to 1 parent in each group.

Say:  Discuss with your family some things that happen in your family that stings and hurts? When everyone in your family has had a chance to share, pop your balloon with a pin.

When everyone has popped their balloon, say: Even when we get hurt, remembering how much we love each other helps us stay strong.

Gather all the papers in the middle of the room, have each family choose one to read aloud, it's okay if it's not from their original balloon.

When you are tempted to say words that aren’t gentle to someone in your family, remember the bee stings. When your feelings get hurt, remember how much God and your family loves you.

Closing:

If extra time, everyone get in a big circle and do a group back rub with gentleness!

Hand out a Gentleness Sticker to each family if they have not received one yet to go on their cover page.

------------------------------

Jan @ First Presbyterian Church, Napa CA

Some ideas from Children's Ministry Magazine
September-October, 1996

 


Fruit of the Spirit - Gentleness

Drama Workshop Sketch

Week 9


Summary:
Do a gentleness verse puzzle followed by a Bag O’ Props Drama and then a gentleness meditation.

Supplies: set per family of 8 prewritten index cards, one word per card of: “Show a gentle attitude toward everyone.” Philippians 4:5, Bag o’ props for each family (ideas to include: roll of tape, tv remote control, pencil, rock, cookie or candy, video, card game, etc.), music CD of soft instrumental music, Gentleness Journal page, Gentleness Sticker*.

Lesson

Game #1: Verse Puzzle

Give each family a set of index cards with each word from the following verse on a different index card. Have them try to put the words together into the verse …

Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. Philippians 4:5

Ask: What is gentleness?

Drama: Bag o’ props

Give each family a brown bag o’ props. They are to come up with a quick skit using the one prop in their bag (ideas to include: roll of tape, tv remote control, pencil, rock, cookie or candy, video, card game, etc.) Give them a few minutes to prepare and then perform their skit for the group. After each skit ask the group to explain what they saw and how it showed gentleness.

Gentleness Meditation

After a few minutes, tell everyone to lie down on the floor (chairs available for adults who can’t) and close their eyes and guide them through this meditation.

Imagine that you’re sitting alone somewhere. You’re very upset. You just had an argument with someone. The other person said or did some very unkind things to you. You said or did some unkind things to the other person.

(start a music CD of soft instrumental music)

Now, breathe in and out deeply.

Picture yourself laying on something soft and comfortable … a bed, grassy hill, cotton balls, a cloud …

Listen to Jesus’ words: “Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle and with me you will find rest …”

Look into Jesus’ face. Listen again to his words: Let me teach you, because I am gentle …. Let me teach you to me gentle like me.”

Quietly talk to Jesus, ask him to teach you and help you be gentle like he is.

When you’re done talking with Jesus … you can open your eyes and sit up and quietly wait for the others to finish their talk with Jesus.

Closing:

Distributing Gentleness journal pages. If time you can begin now, or explain to families to complete at home.

Journal page includes:

The Bible holds many gentle images of God. One is in Psalm 91:4 .."God will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection."

Together, each of you can draw a picture of these images of God in the boxes provided on your journal page.

Hand out a Gentleness Sticker to each family if they have not received one yet to go on their cover page.

------------------------------

Jan @ First Presbyterian Church, Napa CA


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Fruit of the Spirit - Self Control

Video Workshop Sketch

Week 10


Summary: All families in one workshop.  Play game – Honey, If you love me, read the story of the Fiery Furnace from "The Family Storybible", then watch video “Rack, Shack & Benny”.

Supplies: The Family Story Bible, VeggieTales DVD “Rack, Shack & Benny”, popcorn and juice boxes.

Lesson

ASK: What is self control?

Turn to your family members and tell about a time recently (last week, yesterday, today?) that you “lost” your self-control. As you tell your stories, take time to say “I’m sorry” if it needs to be said.

Game: Honey, if you love me …

The oldest person in your family goes first. No matter what happens that person can’t smile. The others each take turns and say: Honey, if you love me, won’t you please, please smile?” to the ‘self controlled’ one. No matter how they say it or how they do it, try your best not to smile.  Keep going until everyone has had a turn.

Talk about how smiling or not smiling is like or unlike the times you lose your self-control in real life.

Have everyone not smile. There! You all just controlled yourselves! What did you do/think about/not do in order not to smile? How can you use those ideas in real life to maintain self control?

The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit working in us CAN help us overcome selfishness, temper, anger and other things we lose self control with.

What do we need to do to allow the Holy Spirit to do this?

Self control is all about RESISTING something that you’re drawn to that isn’t good for you for some reason. Sometimes the pressure comes from inside us and sometimes it comes from outside us. Self control is a gift from the Holy Spirit to resist something that God wants you to resist.

Read a story from The Family Story Bible: Pages 143-144 - A King Learns About God (the story of Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego)

STOP BEFORE THE END OF THE STORY. Leave them hanging before they're rescued from the furnace.

Watch "VeggieTales Rack, Shack & Benny"

Tell them that they’ll be watching a video that will show the storm via Veggie Tales. Show Veggie Tales “Rack, Shack & Benny”. Distribute popcorn and juice boxes.

After the movie ask:

  • Did Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego show self control?
  • To what?
  • They RESISTED what everyone else was doing, they resisted what the King told them to do because they knew it was wrong in God’s eyes. Did they still have to “go through the fire”?
  • But how did it turn out?
  • Why do you think that was?
    God was faithful to them and they were faithful to God.


Control Journal

Distribute Self Control Journal pages. Pages include pictures of apples, and the words:

  1. Each family member should choose an apple on this page and draw a face on it. Write your name next to it.
  2. Write across your apple's "forehead" something that you need help in the area of self control.
  3. Keep this paper handy all week where family members can see it. When you see this paper, pray for the others in your family in the area of self control they're working on.
  4. Share an apple snack together this week.

Closing

Hand out a Kindness Sticker to each family, if they have not received one yet, to go on their cover page.

Notice to go home with Parents: Ask everyone to bring next week a blender and one type of fruit and one type of juice. Families can double up to work with the blenders.

 

Jan @ First Presbyterian Church, Napa CA

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Fruit of the Spirit - Wrap Up

Mission Project Sunday

Week 11


Summary: All families in one workshop. Play games–Musical Fruit & Fruit of the Spirit, sell fruit smoothies.

Supplies: Plastic or real fruit, lively music on CD, CD player, Yogurt, ice, cups and straws (blenders, fruit, fruit juice parents bring).

Lesson

On the final Sunday all the families were together and we began with 2 group games.

Game #1: Musical Fruit

Everyone stand in a large circle. Distribute many pieces of plastic (or real) fruit throughout the circle of people. Begin some lively music on a CD and have them pass their fruit along to the music. When the music stops, those holding a piece of fruit hold it up, call out their name, and then call out one of the Fruits of the Spirit. Play for awhile, stop before interest is lost!

Game #2: Fruit of the Spirit 

All together name all 9 fruits of the Spirit. Stand in a large circle. This game is played like Fruit Basket Upset with these modifications:

Each person silently chooses one fruit of the Spirit. Everyone holds hands and one person stands in the middle of the circle. The person in the middle calls out any one fruit of the Spirit. If that's your fruit, you drop hands and run across the circle changing places. Those who didn't run (not their fruit) quickly try to close up the circle, trapping some people inside the circle. Those trapped in the circle name another fruit of the Spirit to be called out. Anyone inside the circle also has the option of calling out "Fruit of the Spirit" and then everyone has to change places. Before you finish the game, make sure all 9 fruits have been called out and finish up on a "fruit of the Spirit".

Mission Project: Fruit Smoothie Sale

This Sunday we had our 2nd Fruit Smoothie stand.

Reminded families in advance to bring a blender, fruit and juice. Yogurt, ice, cups and straws were provided.

During coffee hour we "sold" smoothies for donations, sending money to benefit a local Christian organization.

Journal - Fruit of the Spirit Wrap Up:
Write each family member's name down the left side of the page (one per line). Work together to think of times when that person shows the fruit listed:

____ shows love when _______________.
etc.

"Fruit" in the Bible is used to describe the results of living our lives for God. Fruit, or a variation of it, is used at least 55 times in the New Testament. Do a fruit search to find some ... 2 to start: John 15:1-17 and Psalm 1:1-3.


Jan @ First Presbyterian Church, Napa CA

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Our first lesson was done in our art workshop and each family was given an inexpensive colored folder to take home with both pockets and the 3 hole prongs. (The water color art project was to be glued to the front when dry.) Each week I distributed 3 hole punched journal pages for them to work on there and then take home to finish if need be, and add to their journal. Each time a new family came they got a folder. If families missed a week I had extra journal pages they could pick up to do on their own so they'd have a complete set.

Last edited by CreativeCarol

Update 2016 - Now available!

Fruit of the Spirit Intergenerational Summer Lesson Series

Journal Worksheets & Weekly Workshop Overview/Supply Lists


As Jan has since retired, on behalf of Rotation.org, I've created a set of replacement Journal Sheets using the brief descriptions Jan provided above in her lessons.  The only one that did not have a description of any kind was Goodness, so I created one and adjusted the lesson to reflect same. 

As I was reformatting each of the above lessons for readability while adding summaries and supply lists for each lesson I decided to also create a two page "Weekly Workshop Overview & Supply Lists" for ease of those planning and gathering supplies for this GREAT series of workshops.

Both pdf files are attached below.

I also have updated helpful information regarding the out of print book's replacement.

Out of Print Resource Book - Update:
Some of the originally lessons use material found in book by Abingdon Press "Bible Zone Fruit of the Spirit" (1998) – that book is now out of print (see update below).
 
Update 2016:  this same material has been reprinted, in the book “All-In-One-Bible-Fun Series: Fruit of The Spirit” for Elementary Children, by Abingdon Press, 2009, 978142707827. 
I've also updated the two lessons above affected by this new information.
You need to purchase the above book for use in two of the workshops - Peace (Drama) & Patience (Storytelling/Music).

Luanne

 

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Last edited by Luanne Payne

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