Galatians 5:22

The Fruit of the Spirit
Lesson #4- Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness

HOOK:
Use the puppets to interact with each other and the children.

(Can use two boy puppets or two girl puppets fighting about something- ad lib). After they exchange a few phrases about whatever you choose to have the conflict over (ex.- cheating in a game, taking away a toy, eating all the other person’s candy, losing a ball), the dialogue starts:

Puppet #1-  I thought you were my friend.  You’re being soooo mean.  I don’t want to be your friend anymore.

Puppet #2-  Well that’s fine with me.   You always have to have it your way and I’m tired of it.  I’m just going to go home.

(Both puppets “stomp off” in opposite directions, turn their backs on each other and ignore each other.  Leave a few seconds of silence.)

Puppet #1- It’s no fun playing by myself.  I wish I could go to my other friend’s house.

Puppet #2- Now what am I going to do?  Nobody else is home and I’m stuck here by myself.  I guess I should have been nicer instead of fighting with my good friend.

Puppet #1- Maybe if I say I’m sorry, we can play together again.

(Both puppets turn around and rush toward each other apologizing and telling each other they’ll be kind and nice to the other).

BOOK:
The Bible says (Galatians 5:22) that the fruit of the Spirit is (read from your Bible):  “Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

The Bible says that God wants us to show kindness, goodness and gentleness.  Being kind means that we do nice things for others and we show good manners and respect for others.  We need to talk nicely and not be fresh.

When we are good, we obey our parents and elders (anyone who is older and put in charge of us) the first time they tell us something and we obey with a good attitude, not pouting.  Who knows what pouting is?  Show me a pout.  Yup!  We can all do that!!  It’s easier for us to do what WE want to do instead of what we are supposed to do.

Being gentle means that we are tender and loving to people.  We need to use our words and our hands in a way that makes people feel loved, not hurt.  God wants us to be kind, good, and gentle to others because that’s the way He is.

LOOK:
Next time you feel angry or you are asked to do something that you don’t want to do, ask God to help you be kind, good and gentle.  He wants to help us use the things we say and the things we do to show that we love the people around us and that God’s love is in us.  God would never say mean words to kids or hurt their feelings or hurt their bodies.  We shouldn’t either.

TOOK:
When you have your snack and do the craft and when you go drive home in the car and have your lunch, see how many ways that you can show kindness, goodness and gentleness.  When you’re with your Mom or Dad, or sisters or brothers, tell them “thank you” when they are kind, good and gentle to you.  God wants us all to be loving to one another.

MEMORY VERSE:
“The fruit of the spirit is kindness, goodness, gentleness”.  Galatians 5:22

CLOSING PRAYER:
Dear God, please help us to remember to be kind, good and gentle to all the special people you’ve given us.  Help us to use our words and our actions to show God’s love to people, and forgive us when we are not kind, good, and gentle. Thank you for your love that makes us want to live for you. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.