RELIGIOUS VIRTUE GROUP

Because I value my relationship with God, I choose to know His character and respond to Him in my worship and life.

 

How To Be Like Jesus

Freedom

God does not force me to do things. God shows me the best way. He helps me see the results of good and bad choices.
I choose to give freedom to others.

Definition

Freedom related virtue: Choice, Religious liberty, Separation of church and state, Racial equality

God decided to give humans the power to choose. That meant that we can decide what we will think and do, even if it is not for the best. God consided that freedom of choice was was very important because God doesn't like to force His own way even though it is always right. God wanted the joy of having people love and follow him by choice not by force.

Freedom means: Not forcing my ideas and ways on others but trying to convince them it is the best way.
Letting others have their way, sometimes;
Giving others a chance to choose;
Not having slaves or forcing people to do things they don't want to do;
Not being a "Bully"
Artwork Music

See flipchart

Click picture below:

 

Seek Ye First
I Have Decided
Into My Heart
Christ for Me
Take My Life and Let It Be, SDAH 330
Have Thine Own Way, SDAH 567

Student Life Applications

Letting others decide sometimes;
Not forcing others to follow my way if they don't want to;
Not using my age, or money or position to force my ideas;
Knowing that there are limits to freedom and that teachers, parents and leaders give freedom appropriate for the situation... We don't let small children run out into the road where they could get hurt.

Bible, E.G. White


Psalm 119:45 I will walk at liberty, for I seek thy precepts
Isaiah 1:18 Come now, let us reason together. . .
Joshua 24:15 Choose you this day. . .
John 8:32 the truth shall make you free
Romans 8:21 The glorious liberty of the children of God
Galatians 5:1 Christ hath made us free

 

Reinforcing Stories

Great Stories for Kids III, by Jerry Thomas, pgs. 48, 79, 86, 92, 98, 105
"Right Choices", " In bondage to Whom?", "What We Select is Ours", Treasury of Devotional Aids for Home and School

Student Activities


You always have the choie to be re-active or pro-active.
1. Write yourself a Post-it note: I will not let decide how I'm going to feel.
Place it in our locker or on your mirros and refer to it often.
2. Listen to your own words and count how many times you use "you make me . . ", "I have to . . .", "I can't . . .", "Why can't they . . .", etc.
3. Draw 2 circles. The inner circle is our circle of control (responses, attitudes, etc.). The outer circle is the circle of no control (weather, past mistakes, rude comments, etc.). Be pro=active in your circle of control. Forget about the circle that gives you no control.


Links to the Curriculum
Art: Free to choose dominance in art and in my life. Joshua 1:8
Physics: Power shows how fast work is done. God gives us freedom of choice in work for Him.
Social Studies: China rebelled because they didn't have the freedom God gives every man.

Resources

Great Stories for Kids, by Jerry Thomas, PPPA, 1999
Treasury of Devotional Aids for Home and School by the Department of Educaiton of the General Conference of SDA, 1951

Evaluation

Primary:
Tell or write two ways that show that God gave us freedom.
Tell or write about a time when you saw someone showing their freedom.
Tell or write about when you showed freedom like God would do.
Tell or write about when you saw the hurt and unhappiness when someone did not have freedom.
Tell two ways that you can show freedom.
What is the opposite of freedom? Who makes us act that way?
Finish the sentence: We can show freedom when we..........

Middle:
Why does God care if I have freedom?
What difference does it make whether I have freedom or not?
List some ways that a person might have freedom without anyone noticing?
List 3 situations where a person could have freedom in his work, home, or at the shopping mall.
How could you learn to be better at being free?
How often do you show freedom? Think of the last three times and tell me.
Do you like to join in when people have freedom? How have you joined in?

High school:
What is the alternative to freedom and what do you see as the results of that choice?
Would you recognize it if someone was not fully free? How?
Would you keep quiet if someone paid you a lot of money not to have freedom?
Are you proud to having freedom and willing to tell others how you feel?
If someone in a group spoke out against freedom would you speak up to give the other side?
Are you willing to put some of your money toward supporting freedom in your city, class, work?
What effect do you think freedom will have on your future?
Do you see your family practicing freedom? How about your church, city, or nation? Does it make much difference if they do?
What do you think should be done to promote freedom in your family, friends, church, city, and nation?