ETHICAL VIRTUE GROUP

Because I value moral excellence as Christ's way, I choose to make decisions based on ethical principles.

How To Make Good Decisions

Fairness

God is fair. He treats everyone justly. All people are His concern.

Definition

Fairness related virtues: Balance, consistent, equality, impartial, justice, moderation.

Fairness means: Equal on the scales, open minded, giving appropriate consideration before making decisions which affect others

See flipchart

He Has Shown Thee, (Micah 6:8) HIOS, 125
Come Let Us Reason, HIOS, 105
He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands, AYS, 61

Student Life Applications

1 Student dividing up the bananas among a small group of students
2 Student throwing the ball to younger students out and in, each in turn
3 Bargaining at the market and thinking to be fair to them also
4 Students playing a village game and playing fair rules
5 Student standing in line waiting his turn
6 (Not) arguing with professor to get more points
7 Student making change for customer after his purchase (of a book or charity gift)
8 Mother dividing fruit among the children
9 Lady cutting a cake or pie into equal pieces

Bible, E.G. White

Genesis 18:19 For I know him to do justice and judgment
2 Samuel 8:15 David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.
Psalm 119:121 I have done what is righteous and just. . .
Proverbs 21:3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Colossians 4:1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,

“To some, deviation from perfect fairness in a business deal may look like a small thing, but our Saviour does not thus regard it. His words on this point are plain and explicit: "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” ST.1902-02-19.003
“Liberality of feeling, generosity and nobleness of spirit, fairness and candid judgment and mildness, are the essence of Christianity; and the neglect of this, wounds our Redeemer, and brings a reproach upon the cause of God.”
PH 43.037 (Pamphlets, The Judgment, 1879)
“The little courtesies of life should be cherished. A pleasant and amiable temper, blended with a firm principle of justice and honesty, will make you a man of influence.” 4T 367.

Reinforcing Stories

“World War Five”, Book Four, Great Stories for Kids by Jerry D. Thomas.
“The Last Stick of Gum”, Book Five, Great Stories for Kids by Jerry D. Thomas.

Student Activities

Students play a game to learn the rules and then play it using the rules

Links to the Curriculum

Business: Because God is honest, we must deal honestly in our businesses
Math: As dividing separates parts from each other, so God’s justice will fairly separate people eventually.

Resources

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

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

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