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

Purity

God is pure. He wants me to speak, see, think and do only what is wholesome.

Definition

Purity related virtues: Decency, virtue, perfection, simplicity, innocence.

Purity means: Keeping ones thoughts and actions away from improper sex.
Free of language, dress, and choice of what we view and think about that focuses on unwholesome sexuality. Staying away from places and people that emphasize such.
Saving sexual relations for only your spouse in marriage.

See flipchart

Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart, SDAH 27
The Cleansing Wave, SDAH 332
I Would Be True, MV Songs 58

Student Life Applications

1 Student at the magazine counter is trying to get his friend to buy a girlie magazine but his friend is pushing the magazine away and refusing
2 Student at the computer screen that shows a girl in a bathing suit and the words “CLICK HERE”
3 Student changing the TV channels because a sexy scene is on the screen
4 Three students guffawing another student who has a religious book in his hand and looks disappointed and has to turn away

Bible, E.G. White

Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God
Proverb 20:11 Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right
1 Timothy 4:12 But set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
Exodus 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Philippians 4:8 Whatsoever things are . . .pure. . . think on these things.
I John 3:3 every man purifieth himself
Genesis 39:8 (Joseph and Potiphar’s wife)
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“ Moral purity depends on right thinking and right acting. . . . Every thought should be brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” GW 127
“While cultivating the mind the student should also cultivate uprightness of heart and loyalty to God, that he may develop a character like that of Joseph. Then he will scorn the thought of yielding to temptation, fearing to sully his purity.” CT.496

Reinforcing Stories

Teaching Your Children Values, pg. 124, by Linda & Richard Eyre
Great Stories for Kids III, pg 41, by Jerry Thomas
Uncle Arthur’s Bedtime Stories III, pg. 101, by Arthur Maxwell
“Crossing the Boundary”, “Safe and Happy”, Book Four, Great Stories for Kids, pgs. 124, 131, by Jerry Thomas
March 22, December 15, Sure as the Dawn by Mancell and Mancell

Student Activities

1. Make a time chart and keep for one week. Be as accurate as possible. Analyze time spent on the Internet.
2. Class discussion on Christian Behavior virtues. Develop specific guidelines for key areas: (dating, sexuality, money, drugs, alcohol and tobacco, personal appearance) Get students to set personal goals. Write them out and laminate them.
3. Write affirmations for the people in your class.
4. Jesus used lilies of the field as an example of God’s care. White lilies and white roses symbolize purity. Try to find white roses or lilies for the girls to wear as reminders of purity God wants them to maintain.

Links to the Curriculum

Biology: Earthworms are clean even though they live in dirt, we can be pure even though we live in sinful world.

Resources

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

Middle:
Why does God care if I am pure?
What difference does it make whether I am pure or not?
What effect would it have on my future if I did not choose to be pure?
How would people treat me differently if I did or didn’t choose to be pure?
How would I feel about myself if I did or did not choose to be pure?
Give some reasons why you think it is best to be pure. Why would someone do differently?
What makes choosing to be pure better than the opposite?
List some ways that a person might be pure without anyone noticing?
Can you think of someone who seems good at being pure? What makes them better at it?
How often do you show purity? Think of the last three times and tell me.

High school:
Would you practice purity if no one was checking on you? Your parents, school, or the law?
What is the alternative to purity and what do you see as the results of that choice?
Would you recognize it if someone was not fully pure? How?

Would you keep quiet if someone paid you a lot of money not to be pure?
Are you proud to be pure and willing to tell others how you feel?
If someone in a group spoke out against purity would you speak up to give the other side?
Are you willing to put some of your money toward supporting purity in your city, class, work?
Can you say that being pure has become a habit? How often are you that way?
What effect do you think purity will have on your future life?
Do you see your family practicing purity? How about your church, city, or nation?
What do you think should be done to promote purity in your family, friends, church, city, nation?
Does it make much difference if they are pure or not?