INDIVIDUAL VIRTUE GROUP

Because I value myself as a child of God, I choose to be a person of virtue.

 

How To Be A Person of Virtue

Optimism

God gives hope, joy, and faith. He lifts the spirit. He sees the potential in every person. He wants me to always look for the best in every situation.

I choose to be optimistic.

Definition

Optimism related virtues: Enthusiasm

Optimism means a kind of happiness in expectation of good results.
Artwork Music

See flipchart

 

 

True-hearted, Whole Hearted, MV Songs 51
I Will follow Thee, My Saviour, SDAH 623
Count Your blessings
Always Cheerful

Student Life Applications

Because I know that God is with me and that no matter what happens, God knows what is best for me, I will:
Always find something good to say about people.
Look for the best in every situation in which I find myself.
Not complain when things are not going well.
Cheer others up when there is trouble.
Make the best of every situation I get into.
Think the best about each person.
Consider the glass half full instead of half empty.
Praise God continually for all His blessings.
Help others to see God's blessings in life.
 

Bible, E.G. White


II Kings 10:16 Come with me and see my zeal for the Lord
II Chronicles 31:21 he did it with all his heart and prospered
Psalm 144:15 Happy is the that people, whose God is the Lord
Philippians 4:8 If there be any praise, think of these things
Philippians 4:13 Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before

Positiveness is needed in developing character. DA 73
Christians should be cheerful. 7BC 960

Reinforcing Stories

"Little Miss Grumblestone", Volume One, Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Stories
"The Most Marvelous Camera", "The Little Girls Who Played All the Time", "The Secret", "Shining for God", "Lessons
From the Watch", "Sharing Our blessings", "Savory Lives", "Things That Spread", "Discouragement", The Happiness Key", "It Shows in Your Face", Treasury of Devotional Aids for Home and School.
April 16, Sure as the Dawn by Mansell and Mansell


Student Activities

1. Good Things Rhythm: Make a rhythm of clapping yuor knees twice, then clapping your hands twice. Say, "One good thing that God has made is . . ." The person on the right repeats the phrase with a new item. God around the circle in rhythm.
2. Rainbows and Promises: Before class, cut out small rainbow shapes and heart shapes. On each rainbow, have students draw a picture of something God has given them. On each heart, have them put the name of someone who loves them. See how many rainbows and hearts each student can collect.
3. Think of someone you don't like. Draw his picture. Turn over the paper and write something good about Him.
4. Create two positive thoughts for every negative thought that pops into your head.

 

Links to the Curriculum
Math: If my relationship to God = a positive X and my relationship to others = a positive Y, then XY appears in the positive sector.
Physics: Warm air expands and becomes lighter, so in friendly warmth our hearts are made lighter.
 

Resources


Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Stories by Arthur S. Maxwell, R&H, 1964.
Treasury of Devotional Aids for Home and School. Department of Education of the General Conference. R&H, 1951.
Sure as the Dawn by Mansell and Mansell, R&H, 1993

Evaluation

Primary:
Tell or write two ways that show that God is optimistic.
Tell or write about a time when you saw someone show optimism.
Tell or write about when you showed optimism like God would do.
Tell or write about when you saw the hurt and unhappiness when someone was not optimistic.
How do you think God feels when He sees people who are optimistic?
How do you feel when you are optimistic?
Tell two ways that you can show optimism.
What makes you want to be optimistic?
What is the opposite of optimism? Who makes us act that way?
Finish the sentence: We can be optimistic when we..........

Middle:
Why does God care if I am optimistic?
What difference does it make whether I am optimistic or not?
What effect would it have on my future if I did not choose to be optimistic?
How would people treat me differently if I did or didn’t choose to be optimistic?
How would I feel about myself if I did or did not choose to be optimistic?
Give some reasons why you think it is best to be optimistic. Why would someone do differently?
What makes choosing to be optimistic better than the opposite?
List some ways that a person might be optimistic without anyone noticing?
List 3 situations where a person could be optimistic in his work, home, or at the shopping mall.
Is it possible for a person to get better at being optimistic? Explain.
Can you think of someone who seems good at being optimistic? What makes them better at it?
How often do you show optimism? Think of the last three times and tell me.
Do you like to join in when people are being optimistic? How have you joined in?

High school:
Would you practice optimism if no one was checking on you? Your parents, school, or the law?
What is the alternative to optimism and what do you see as the results of that choice?
Would you recognize it if someone was not fully optimistic? How?
Would you keep quiet if someone paid you a lot of money not to be optimistic?
Are you proud to be optimistic and willing to tell others how you feel?
If someone in a group spoke out against optimism would you speak up to give the other side?
Are you willing to put some of your money toward supporting optimism in your city, class, work?
What effect do you think optimism will have on your future life?
Do you see your family practicing optimism? How about your church, city, or nation?
What do you think should be done to promote optimism in your family, friends, church, city, nation?
Does it make much difference if they are optimistic or not?