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

Goodness

All that God does is good. Goodness comes from God.
I choose to be good.

Definition

Goodness related virtues: Holiness, philanthropy

Goodness means: Keeping your mind heavenward, feeling the presence of God,
choosing to do the right thing because you love God, giving your all to Jesus and living for Him.
being like Christ, it is only possible to be good and holy through the power of God.

 
Artwork Music

See flipchart

See picture below. Click to enlarge.

 

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, SDAH 73
Holy, Holy is What The Angels Sing, SDAH 425
Take Time to be Holy, SDAH 500
God is so Good
The Lord is Good, HIOS, 108

Student Life Applications
Contrast the right and the wrong:
1. A student who is studying while another student is throwing paper wads and another student is scratching letters on his desk
2. A student who is writing his assignment while another student is hiding from the teacher’s view, behind his book, and eating a snack.
3. A student quietly reading in the library while a group of students is visiting

 

Bible, E.G. White

Psalm 31:19 Oh, how great is thy goodness
Psalm 29 Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.............
2 Corinthians 7:1 Perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
Ephesians 5:9 The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth
Isaiah 48:17, 18 The holy God of Israel . . .
1 Peter 1:16 Ye shall be holy; for I am holy

“Holiness is not rapture; it is the result of surrendering all to God; it is doing the will of our heavenly Father.” MB 149
“All human ambition, all boasting, is to be laid in the dust. Self, sinful self, is to be abased, not exalted. By holiness in the daily life we are to reveal Christ to those around us. Corrupt human nature is to be subdued, not exalted. Thus only can we become pure and undefiled.” 8T 234

 

Reinforcing Stories

The Children’s Hour, Vol. I, pg. 256; Vol. II, pg. 261
“God’s Lifeboatman”, volume three, Uncle Arthur’s Bedtime Stories, pgs. 142, 184
“New Hearts for Old”, volume four, Uncle Arthur’s Bedtime Stories

 

Student Activities

1. Talk about the following stories in the Bible and consider who was holy and good : King Saul, Joseph, Samuel
2. Make a “Goodness” chart. Each student watches for others to do good deeds and then records them by the name of the “do-er”. Rewards can be given

 

Links to the Curriculum
Biology: Animal behavior shows mothers caring for their infants as our good heavenly Father cares for us.
Home Economics: Good home management makes the family feel a sense of goodness and so following God’s plan gives a sense of goodness.

 

Resources

The Children’s Hour, by Arthur S. Maxwell
Uncle Arthur’s Bedtime Stories, by Arthur S. Maxwell

Evaluation

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

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

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