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Galatians 5:22 & 23

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy , peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against this there is no law".

"When a person accepts Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live in their heart. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit produces Christian virtues in the believer's life. These virtues are the fruit of the Spirit and we become more Christ-like. We will exhibit the fruit whether we are aware of it or not, it happens completely through the work of the Holy Spirit. We can't produce fruit by our own effort, it comes from God's presence and interaction in our lives."

Offner, Hazel. Fruit of the Spirit. Downers Grove, Ill: Intervarsity Press, 1987

Objective: The objective of "The Zoo" Children's Ministry is to reach kids with the Gospel message and to teach them about God's love and how to live as Christians in today's world.

The purpose of this particular series is to present salvation and explain that when they make a decision for Christ the Holy Spirit will live in their hearts. They can have the fruit of the Spirit begin to show in their lives.

Themes: We have chosen to divide the fruit of the Spirit into sets of three. With each set there will be a different theme. All props and stories will teach the lesson but incorporate the theme.

Wild West Days Theme

"Wild West Days" is an exciting theme. A backdrop with an old western town and a clothes line with wool socks and long johns helped to create the atmosphere. The puppets were dressed in cowboy hats and plaid shirts. Children's toys are helpful. Stick horses and stuffed animals were used as props. Western music also enhances the area.

Lesson Eight Self Control

It is important to control your anger, guard your language and be temperate. We need to be conformed to the image of Jesus. Our decisions need to be based on God's desires not our own selfish desires. Self control really means Spirit Controlled.

Goal

• To teach the children that the Holy Spirit can help them make decisions and control themselves.

Opening Act: Puppet Song

A song was used to set the theme and introduce the "Wild West" idea that was incorporated into the lessons. Song called: "Ridin High" Kids Sing Cowboy Songs c 1994 Brentwood Music Inc.

Rules

Use the "Wild West" theme when explaining the rules. This is the last week of this theme, so be sure to use it.

Prayer

Each week the official program should begin with prayer. It is important to make this a regular part of the program so that the children will develope a habit.

Music

In the music part of the program, new songs can be introduced at anytime. However, it might be helpful to adapt them to the theme.

Games "Wild West Days" Theme

Lassoo a Cactus

Select three boys and three girls. The players line up single file at one pylon. There is a cactus set up a few feet in front of the line. The first contestant throws four rope rings onto the cactus. The team that successfully ropes the cactus most wins.

Bug Toss

Select two boys and two girls. This game is a water balloon toss. The balloons are bugs and they have been found in their food, of course you wouldn't want them. It is similar to hot potato, you want to get rid of the balloons as quickly as possible.

The girls are given a towel and the balloon is placed on it. They must toss the balloon to the guys who will catch it on their towel. The guys then toss the balloon back to the girls and it continues until one team misses the balloon and it bursts. The team whose balloon breaks, looses.

Memory Verse

"The Memory Verse Bandit"

This is the final week for the Bandit. The memory verse is delivered by "Pony Express" and unwrapped by the leader and the Sheriff. They are both watching for the Bandit. After the verse is taught, the Bandit tries to steal the verse again. This time he is captured by the Sheriff. The children will share in the reward at the end of the program.

"... gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:23

Leader: We didn't catch that Bandit last week. I think this week I'm going to need your help. The Sheriff has offered a reward for everyone who helps in the capture of the "Memory Verse Bandit". So while we learn the verse, I want you to be on the lookout for the Bandit.

Let's unwrap the verse and see if we can learn it. Let's read it together. "... gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:23

Have the children repeat the verse until they can do it without looking at the sheet.

Object Lesson: "I Love Cookies"

The leader has a container with a chocolate chip cookie in it. Explain how wonderful cookies taste. They are so delicious. I have a severe egg allergy so I explained to the children that even though I absolutely love cookies, I can't eat them. I would have to go to the hospital. For this reason, I must always exercise self control. It is very difficult. This object lesson could be adapted for any food allergy or situation when self control must be exercised.

Story: "Stay on the Right Path"

This story was read by a leader and acted out by the puppets.

Trail Blazing Tom was the most talented cowboy in all the west. He could teach even the newest cowboys and cowgirls to blaze a trail and catch wild horses in less than a week. Cowboy Tom's latest trainees were Cowboy Franklin, Cowgirl Ann and Cowboy Lucas.

It was Saturday and they were going to learn how to ride through dangerous Bandit Canyon. This was a real scary spot. All of the bandits and bank robbers took refuge in this canyon.

Tom gave each Cowboy or Cowgirl instructions. He told them simply to get on their horses and not get off. He said ride straight through and most important, stay on the path. "Let me say that again", said Trail Blazing Tom, "what ever you do, stay on the path". All of the trainees nodded, they had heard the instructions and were going to stay on the path. They started out just after sunrise that Saturday.

Cowgirl Ann led the way on her horse, followed by Franklin and Lucas. They rode slowly watching for any signs of trouble. Suddenly Cowboy Franklin let out a huge scream. There was a gigantic rattle snake on the trail. Franklin's horse panicked too. The snake slithered away quickly so Cowboy Franklin continued to ride. Then he screamed again! IT was another large rattle snake. "That's it!", cried Franklin, "I can't take this, I don't like snakes and I'm not going to ride on this path. I'm going to go another way." Ann and Lucas looked at each other. They reminded Franklin about what Tom had said. He told them not to leave the path. Franklin didn't care, he was too worried about snakes. So Franklin rode off in another direction.

Ann and Lucas continued to ride and around lunch time they came to a large river that went right across their path. It was impossible to get around this river. There were no bridges that they could see. Ann suggested that they simply swim across it. Lucas looked down. He had just bought new cowboy boots, if he rode into the water or swam across, they would be ruined. He decided to find another path. Ann reminded Lucas about staying on the right path but Lucas didn't listen, he rode off. He waved back at Ann as he went to find a new way, one with a bridge. Cowgirl Ann was determined to do the right thing. She crossed the river. She was soaked to the skin but she didn't care. She stayed on the right path. Around supper time, Cowgirl Ann rode into a small town on the other side of the canyon. She met Cowboy Tom in front of the town hall. She was the only one who arrived. Tom explained to her that it was good that she had self control and could listen to the instructions. Tom had told them to stay on the path because it was the only way out of the canyon. By now Lucas and Franklin were probably lost.

Leader's Conclusion:

God's book for us, the Bible, tells us of the way we are supposed to go. It tells how to behave and it helps us to follow the right path in our lives. That is very hard to do because we often want to go our own way. We don't like to follow rules. It takes self control. We need to learn to follow God and to do what He wants. God can help us to have self control if we ask him.

Copyright 1996, Bread of Life Ministries