FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT:

8 GOODNESS

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22,23

FAITH FOCUS Goodness is acting like Jesus. It is both refusing to do evil and choosing to do things that help others— whether or not others deserve the good things we do. Can you think of someone who’s a good person? Are they always nice to others? Do they always follow the rules? ese are just a few of the ways others can see goodness in our life.

Where does goodness start? Our Truth Verse, 3 John 11, tells us, “Anyone who does what is good is from God.” True goodness comes from having Jesus in our life and choosing to live for Him.

What is goodness? Goodness describes who we really are on the inside, even if no one is watching. e Bible tells us that a “good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him” (See Matthew 12:35.) Goodness isn’t something we can have without thinking about it. Goodness comes when we’re careful to make choices that show we live for God. Goodness means we are dependable and honest. People can count on us to be truthful. We are quick to see and meet needs and to help others.

case summary faith fact Goodness: I will do what is right.

truth verse 3 John 11 Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

bible case file Zacchaeus Meets Jesus Luke 19:1–10

How can others see goodness in us? By choosing goodness, we can influence others. In our Bible Case File, Jesus’ goodness influenced Zacchaeus to change. Goodness shows through our actions. Zacchaeus’s goodness showed through his generosity and willingness to pay back what he had taken from others. Our Truth Verse reminds us that doing good will show others that we are living for God.

INVESTIGATORS: Get more fun stuff and watch the Commissioner and Inspector Apple again at www.FaithCase.com. Enter this password.

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FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS

PLANNING session segment

led by

Countdown & Commissioner’s Greeting

faith focus

Welcome & Faith Case Update 8.1 Game Faith Case Update 8.2 & Faith Fact Feature Truth Verse Activity Faith Case Update 8.3 & Fruit of the Spirit Song Optional: Faith Fact Review

8

See actions on page 150.

Goodness is acting like Jesus. It is both refusing to do evil and choosing to do things that help others— whether or not others deserve the good things we do.

Object Lesson Bible Case File Response Time Challenge Questions Wrap-Up

countdown & commissioner’s greeting welcome & faith case update 8.1 game YOU WILL NEED

GETTING READY

E-mail 8.1 from the Faith Case CD-ROM

Print E-mail 8.1 from the Faith Case CD-ROM.

Case Folder 1

Place E-mail 8.1 in Case Folder 1.

Briefcase

Place Case Folder 1 in the Briefcase.

Trash basket or laundry basket

On a sheet of paper print “Goodness.” Tape the paper to the side of the trash or laundry basket.

Paper wads, wadded-up socks, or Nerf balls Paper Masking tape Markers

Place the basket against a wall at the front of the room. Make a masking tape line on the floor about 6 feet from the basket. The line should be parallel to the wall. Add five more taped lines, each a foot closer to the basket.

faith case update 8.2 & faith fact feature 144

© 2010 by Gospel Publishing House. All rights reserved. Permission to duplicate for classroom use only.

YOU WILL NEED

GETTING READY

E-mail 8.2 from the Faith Case CD-ROM

Print E-mail 8.2 from the Faith Case CD-ROM.

Verse Signs from pages 161 and 162 or from the Faith Case CD-ROM

Print the Verse Signs from pages 161 and 162 or from the Faith Case CD-ROM

Case Folder 2

Place E-mail 8.2 in Case Folder 2.

Briefcase

Place Case Folder 2 in the Briefcase.

Tape or mounting putty

Display the Verse Signs on opposite sides of the room.

faith case update 8.3 & fruit of the spirit song optional: faith fact review YOU WILL NEED

One or two prepared sets of Fruit of the Spirit Cards

GETTING READY

See cards for activity options.

object lesson YOU WILL NEED

One or two $1 bills, real or toy (See Tip in sidebar.) Bible

GETTING READY

Place the $1 bills in your pocket so the bills can easily fall out.

bible case file YOU WILL NEED

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS

truth verse activity

GETTING READY

Coins

Place the coins in the basket.

Basket

Place the chair on one side of the stage area.

Stable chair (to stand on)

response time challenge questions wrap-up YOU WILL NEED

Copies of the Case Summary from the Faith Case CD-ROM

GETTING READY

Make copies of the Case Summary (one per kid) from the Faith Case CD-ROM.

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FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS

COUNTDOWN & COMMISSIONER’S GREETING is DVD segment provides a countdown to begin the session and a special greeting from the Commissioner. Play “Countdown & Commissioner’s Greeting” from Faith Case DVD C.

The fruit of the Spirit The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22,23

TIP If this is your first Faith Case session, or if you have kids who are new to Faith Case, you may wish to play the Countdown and Commissioner’s Welcome segment instead of the Countdown and Commissioner’s Greeting.

WELCOME Introduce the session topic. SAY

SAY

Welcome, fellow investigators. It is so good to see you all. I hope you’ve all been having a good time investigating the fruit of the Spirit. Let’s see if you can guess which fruit of the Spirit we will be discovering today. It starts with the letter G. It is the opposite of badness. Can you guess what it is? (Group response) Yes, we are investigating goodness today. e word good is used in so many different ways, it’s not easy to know exactly what it means to be good. So, let’s get started.

TIP Kids in your group may arrive hungry, so you may wish to provide a healthy snack as they arrive. This demonstrates God’s love for their physical needs and allows them to focus on learning instead of on their hunger.

FAITH CASE UPDATE 8.1 e Commissioner explains goodness while Inspector Apple tastes his very first candy bar. Play “Faith Case Update 8.1” from Faith Case DVD C.

goodness Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 3 John 11

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Kids will play a game demonstrating that our choices bring us closer to goodness or push us further from goodness. YOU WILL NEED

GETTING READY

E-mail 8.1 from the Faith Case CD-ROM

Print E-mail 8.1 from the Faith Case CD-ROM.

Case Folder 1

Place E-mail 8.1 in Case Folder 1.

Briefcase

Place Case Folder 1 in the Briefcase.

Trash basket or laundry basket

On a sheet of paper print “Goodness.” Tape the paper to the side of the trash or laundry basket.

Paper wads, wadded-up socks, or Nerf balls Paper Masking tape Markers

Place the basket against a wall at the front of the room. Make a masking tape line on the floor about 6 feet from the basket. The line should be parallel to the wall. Add five more taped lines, each a foot closer to the basket.

As you say the following, emphasize the word good. SAY

What a good case! I feel so good about our investigation. I think we’re off to a good start. e Commissioner has sent us some instructions on what to do next. I’m sure they are good instructions too. Open the Briefcase and pull out Case Folder 1.

IL A M E .1 8

Pull out E-mail 8.1 and read it. Investigators, Today we’re solving Faith Case: Goodness. Our choices show whether we have God’s goodness inside us or not. I’ve sent instructions for a game to help you see how this works. Good hunting! Signed, The Commissioner.

SAY

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS

GAME

is sounds like it’s going to be a good game! Let’s get started. Invite four volunteers to the front of the room. Give each volunteer a paper wad and have them stand beside the line that is 4 feet from the basket.

SAY

In this game, you’ll take turns trying to throw your paper wad into the goodness basket. If you make the basket, you get to move one line closer to the basket and try again. If you miss the basket, you have to move one line back. e first player to reach the goodness basket wins. Let the volunteers play until someone wins. Declare the winner of the game.

continued © 2010 by Gospel Publishing House. All rights reserved. Permission to duplicate for classroom use only.

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FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS 148

SAY

e volunteers were tossing paper wads into the basket. Sometimes, they made it. Other times, they didn’t. Players, when was it easiest to make the baskets? (When you were closest.) When was it hardest? (When you were the furthest away.) How did you move closer? (By making baskets.)

SAY

When you made baskets, you got to move closer to the basket and it became easier to make more baskets. When you didn’t make a basket, you had to move further away and it became harder to make baskets. Choosing goodness is like that. e more good choices you make, the easier it is to keep making good choices. But if you make bad choices, it’s harder to make good choices.

SAY

In life, the very first goodness choice you must make is to ask Jesus to live in your heart and life. If you don’t do that, all your other good choices won’t help you grow the fruit of the Spirit that is goodness. Always remember, we develop real goodness because Jesus is living in us. Every other truly good choice comes from that first, most important, good choice of asking Jesus into our heart and life.

SAY

Speaking of firsts, we saw Inspector Apple make a choice to try his first candy bar. I wonder how that choice is going to affect him. (Pause.) I guess we’ll just have to see.

© 2010 by Gospel Publishing House. All rights reserved. Permission to duplicate for classroom use only.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS

FAITH CASE UPDATE 8.2 e Commissioner suspects that Inspector Apple is neglecting his investigation. She is shocked to discover him eating candy. Play “Faith Case Update 8.2” from Faith Case DVD C.

goodness Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 3 John 11

FAITH FACT FEATURE Help kids learn and remember the Faith Fact for this session. Actions to reinforce the Faith Fact are on the DVD and on the next page as well. Play “Faith Fact Feature” from Faith Case DVD C.

Here’s what will appear on the screen: Goodness: I will do what is right.

I will do what is right. All Scripture quotations are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®; NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ All rights reserved worldwide. © 2010 by Gospel Publishing House, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, Missouri 65802. All rights reserved. Printed in United States of America.

TIP Use up more energy by having kids march, jump, or turn in a circle as they say the Faith Fact. Add fun by seeing how quickly they can repeat it.

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FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS

FAITH FACT ACTIONS e actions below are demonstrated on the DVD in the “Faith Fact Feature” segment. ey’re provided here for reference.

faith fact Goodness: I will do what is right.

will do

I (Point both thumbs to self.)

(Pound fists on top of each other, alternating which fist is on top.)

what is right. (Point over right shoulder with right thumb.)

150

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Kids will use a game to review the Truth Verse YOU WILL NEED

SAY

GETTING READY

E-mail 8.2 from the Faith Case CD-ROM

Print E-mail 8.2 from the Faith Case CD-ROM.

Verse Signs from pages 161 and 162 or from the Faith Case CD-ROM

Print the Verse Signs from pages 161 and 162 or from the Faith Case CD-ROM

Case Folder 2

Place E-mail 8.2 in Case Folder 2.

Briefcase

Place Case Folder 2 in the Briefcase.

Tape or mounting putty

Display the Verse Signs on opposite sides of the room.

Our Truth Verse can help us remember how important our choices are. Let’s learn it together. e verse has two sentences. Both sentences of the verse are on the wall.

truth verse

Lead the kids in saying the Truth Verse as they read the verse from the Verse Signs. (See sidebar.) The Truth Verse is also displayed on the DVD screen.

3 John 11 Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

Repeat the verse several times so the kids are familiar with it. SAY

e Commissioner has sent us another communication about today’s investigation. Let’s see what it says. Open the Briefcase and pull out Case Folder 2.

IL E-MA 8.2

Pull out E-mail 8.2 and read it. Investigators, Our choices show whether we have God’s goodness inside or not. I’ve sent instructions for a game that will help you remember that. Your Lead Investigator will fill in the details. Signed, The Commissioner.

According to the Commissioner’s instructions, I need everyone to stand and line up in the center of the room. I’ll read off choices people make every day. If you think the choice is good, step toward the good side of the room and say the first half of our Truth Verse. (Indicate the sign on the wall.)

verse signs                              

If you think the choice is bad, step toward the evil side of the room and say the second half of our Truth Verse. (Indicate the sign on the opposite wall.)

Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Read the list of choices provided on the next page.



© 2010 by Gospel

Do you all understand? (Group response) en, let’s play the game!

 

SAY

duplicate for classroom use

                                  

only.

The choices as listed will move the kids back and forth, but will ultimately bring them closer to the good side.

Permission to

Allow time between each choice for the kids to take one step.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS

TRUTH VERSE ACTIVITY

 

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FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS

Choices: 1. Obeying parents 2. Telling the truth 3. Doing your homework 4. Getting into a fight 5. Eating healthy foods 6. Stealing a toy 7. Eating junk food 8. Disobeying parents 9. Teasing a kid at school 10. Helping your teacher clean up after class 11. Cheating on a test 12. Making a new friend 13. Being kind to a new kid at school 14. Helping clear the dinner table 15. Giving a hug to your grandma 16. Telling a lie 17. Not hitting someone who makes you mad 18. Taking care of your pet 19. Not cleaning your room 20. Sharing a cookie 21. Giving money to charity 22. Helping someone who is sick 23. Obeying the school rules

TIP No room to line up? Just let kids move back and forth in their seats.

Allow the kids to return to their seats. SAY

You all did a great job! How did the choices affect which side of the room you were closer to? (Allow responses.) Each good choice brought you closer to the sign that had the good sentence of the verse on it. Each bad choice brought you closer to the sign that had the evil sentence of the verse on it. In everyday life, we don’t physically take a step toward good or evil, but the choices we make can help us choose more of the same. Choosing good can lead to more good choices. Choosing to be honest helps us choose to obey and not steal. e same is true for choosing bad. One lie can easily lead to another and another. at’s what our Truth Verse is about.

SAY

So, what’s the first and most important good choice you must make if you’re going to be truly good? (Ask Jesus to live in your heart and life.) True goodness begins when we ask Jesus into our heart and life.

152

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e Commissioner finds Inspector Apple hiding in a closet eating candy. Inspector Apple sees the error of his ways and decides to change. Play “Faith Case Update 8.3” from Faith Case DVD C.

goodness Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 3 John 11

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT SONG Kids sing a song that contains the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22,23 and all the Faith Facts. Play “Fruit of the Spirit Song” from Faith Case DVD C.

The fruit of the Spirit

TIP Find the lyrics for the song on the Faith Case: Fruit of the Spirit CD-ROM.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS

FAITH CASE UPDATE 8.3

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22,23

OPTIONAL: FAITH FACT REVIEW If you have time, use the Fruit of the Spirit Cards and one of the ideas from the cards to help the kids review the eme Verse and the matching Faith Facts.

fruit of the spirit cards

I will do what is right. worldwide. Inc.™ All rights reserved © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, VERSION®; NIV®. Copyright rights reserved. Printed in United States of America. NEW INTERNATIONAL 65802. All from the HOLY BIBLE, Ave., Springfield, Missouri All Scripture quotations are House, 1445 N. Boonville © 2010 by Gospel Publishing

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FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS

OBJECT LESSON Kids will consider ways they can demonstrate goodness in their actions. YOU WILL NEED

One or two $1 bills, real or toy (See Tip in sidebar.) Bible

GETTING READY

Place the $1 bills in your pocket so the bills can easily fall out.

Walk around the room and “accidentally” drop the $1 bills. Pretend not to notice, but make sure the kids can notice. SAY

You all did a great job, playing that game about making good and evil choices. I’m so proud of how well you recognized the good choices. Keep talking until the kids tell you about the dropped bills. Act surprised about the dropped bills. Retrieve the bills.

SAY

TIP If your kids might be tempted to keep a real dollar, use toy money instead of real. As a teacher, don’t tempt the kids in your group unless you’re sure they can successfully pass the temptation test.


anks for telling me about my lost money. You just made a good choice. It’s not always easy to make good choices. Sometimes we have something we want to buy.
en it’s tempting to keep money we might see dropping to the ground. But giving the dollar back to me was the right thing to do. What is the good choice if you find money at school and you don’t know who dropped it? (Allow responses.) Turning in the money to the office or a teacher is the right thing to do. Someone might need their money to buy lunch or for something else important.

SAY

You never know when doing the right thing will make a big difference in someone’s life. Our good choices say a lot about who we are even when we think no one is looking. Hold up a Bible or read the verse directly from it.

SAY

154


e Bible says that a “good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him.” (See Matthew 12:35.) Being good is about being dependable and honest and kind. It means people can depend on us to be truthful. Goodness doesn’t just happen. We have to make the decision to do what is right and work at it every day.

© 2010 by Gospel Publishing House. All rights reserved. Permission to duplicate for classroom use only.

Kids will hear the story of Zacchaeus making good choices after he chose to follow Jesus. YOU WILL NEED

GETTING READY

Coins

Place the coins in the basket.

Basket

Place the chair on one side of the stage area.

Stable chair (to stand on) SAY

Our Bible story is about showing goodness. I need four volunteers to come to the front of the room. Invite four kids to the front of the room. Give the basket of coins to one of the volunteers. That volunteer will play the role of Jesus. Have the Jesus volunteer stand on one side of the stage area with two other volunteers. Place a chair on the opposite side of the stage area. Have the fourth volunteer stand next to it.

SAY

Our volunteers will help us tell the Bible story. e volunteer holding the basket is playing the part of Jesus. e two people next to him are the people listening to Jesus speak. Our friend on the opposite side of the room will play the part of Zacchaeus. As I tell the story, our volunteers will act it out. All they have to do is listen to me and do what I say. Is everybody ready? (Group response) en let’s tell the story.

SAY

bible case file Zacchaeus Meets Jesus Luke 19:1–10

TIP Instead of coins you may use candy, grapes, or dried fruit. Or you may use sticky notes instead of food. Place the sticky notes on the Jesus volunteer and share them with the other volunteers as directed.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS

BIBLE CASE FILE

Jesus was going through the city of Jericho. A crowd of people followed Him. e coins represent Jesus’ goodness. As He spoke, He was showing His goodness to all the people around Him. Instruct the Jesus volunteer to pretend to speak to the crowd. Take a few of the coins from the Jesus volunteer and give them to the crowd volunteers.

SAY

Jesus’ goodness had an affect on everyone around Him. A man named Zacchaeus lived in Jericho. He was a very important tax collector and a wealthy man. He wanted to see Jesus, but he wasn’t tall enough to see over the crowd. Have the Zacchaeus volunteer hop and jump and stretch his neck. You may let all the kids in the audience mimic Zacchaeus’s actions. continued © 2010 by Gospel Publishing House. All rights reserved. Permission to duplicate for classroom use only.

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FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS

SAY

Zacchaeus stretched his neck and peeked through the crowd. But no matter what he did, he couldn’t see Jesus. Nobody helped Zacchaeus. Can you guess why no one would help Zacchaeus? (Group response) It may have been because Zacchaeus was a tax collector. As a tax collector, Zacchaeus wasn’t a very popular person. He may have even cheated to take extra money from people.

SAY

What do you think Zacchaeus did next? What would you do if you wanted to see Jesus? (Allow responses.) Finally, Zacchaeus had an idea. He decided to climb a tree so he could see over all the people and get a look at Jesus.

TIP

Have the volunteer playing the part of Zacchaeus stand on a chair. (See sidebar.) SAY

Zacchaeus climbed up and up in the tree. He could see Jesus clearly. He could hear all the good things Jesus was saying. Take a few coins from the Jesus volunteer and give them to the Zacchaeus volunteer.

SAY

Make sure the chair Zacchaeus stands on is stable and on a flat surface. For safety, you might have an adult stand next to the volunteer and be the “spotter.”

Zacchaeus could see Jesus, but more importantly, Jesus could see Zacchaeus. He looked up and spoke to Zacchaeus. He said, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down. I must stay at your house today.” Have the volunteer playing the part of Jesus repeat the line: “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down. I must stay at your house today.” Take a few more coins from the Jesus volunteer and give them to the Zacchaeus volunteer.

SAY

What do you think Zacchaeus did? (Allow responses.) He did what Jesus said. He climbed down from the tree and went straight to Jesus. Take a few more coins from the Jesus volunteer and give them to the Zacchaeus volunteer.

SAY

Jesus wanted to go to Zacchaeus’s house. ‚is surprised everyone. ‚ey all knew Zacchaeus wasn’t a very good person. ‚ey knew the bad things he had done. ‚e people in the crowd couldn’t believe that a good person like Jesus would spend time with a bad person like Zacchaeus. Have the crowd shake their heads and frown.

SAY

But Jesus wanted Zacchaeus to change. Jesus knew that Zacchaeus could change if he would just follow Jesus. continued

156

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Zacchaeus said, “I will give half of my possessions to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone, I will pay them back four times over.” Have the Zacchaeus volunteer repeat the line: “I will give half of my possessions to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone, I will pay them back four times over.” Take a few coins from the Zacchaeus volunteer and give them to the crowd volunteers. SAY

Because he accepted Jesus and His goodness, Zacchaeus wanted to be good too. He decided to become more like Jesus and serve Him. Zacchaeus was saved from his life of sin. And he began to do good things, spreading the goodness of Jesus to other people.

faith fact Goodness: I will do what is right.

Have the volunteers sit down. SAY

Our goodness can influence others. When we choose to do the right thing, other people see it. ­en they may follow our example and choose to do right too. Zacchaeus saw Jesus’ goodness and chose to follow Him. When we choose to follow Jesus, others may see our goodness and choose to follow Jesus too. Let’s say our Faith Fact together. (See sidebar.)

© 2010 by Gospel Publishing House. All rights reserved. Permission to duplicate for classroom use only.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS

And guess what? Zacchaeus did change. He decided that he wanted to follow Jesus and to be good just as Jesus was good.

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FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS

RESPONSE TIME Kids will consider ways they can demonstrate goodness in their actions. SAY

Zacchaeus wasn’t a good person, but he knew Jesus was good. People are drawn to other people who are good. at’s why it is so important for us to show what Jesus has done in us. We do that by doing what is right and good every day. Sometimes it’s hard to do what is right. Even when we know and love Jesus very much, we still are tempted. But just like when we played the game earlier, the more we do what is right the easier it is to do.

SAY

Let’s take some time and ask Jesus to help us always do what is right. Without His help, it’s impossible for us to always do what is right.

At every Response Time, begin by giving kids an opportunity to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. See “How to Lead a Child to Christ” from page 203.

Encourage kids to come to the front and find a place to talk to Jesus about always doing what is right. Encourage them to think about the times it is hard for them to do what is right and to ask Jesus to help them. SAY

Let’s pray together. Dear Jesus, thank You that You set such a good example of how to always do what is right. I know there have been times that I haven’t always made right choices. Please forgive me for those times. I know now that I must have Your help to always make the right choices. Jesus, please help me to be more like You. Thank You. Amen.

SAY

When we have a feeling that we might be doing something wrong, that’s probably the Holy Spirit. Any time we feel that way, we can stop and ask God for help. He will show us what we should do instead. Let’s choose that from now on. We will follow our Faith Fact: “I will do what is right.” (Do the actions that go with the Faith Fact.) Will you do the Faith Fact with me? Lead the group in saying the Faith Fact. (See sidebar.)

SAY

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salvation

Remember that others will notice and want to know how you do what’s right. at’s when you can tell them how Jesus helps you every day and He can help them too.

faith fact Goodness: I will do what is right.

© 2010 by Gospel Publishing House. All rights reserved. Permission to duplicate for classroom use only.

Optional: Got more than 10 minutes left? Help kids review what they have learned. SAY

What a good investigation this has been. I know we’ve all been paying attention. (Group response) Let’s see how much you remember. I’ll say something about today’s lesson and ask, “Yes or no?” Yell out the answer you think is right. True goodness comes from Jesus. Yes or no?

SAY

(Allow responses.) e answer is yes! We can only have true goodness if we have Jesus in our life. He is the source of our goodness. Good choices help us make more good choices. Yes or no?

SAY

(Allow responses.) e answer is yes! When we make good choices, we get closer to God’s goodness. Choosing evil can lead to choosing more evil. Yes or no?

SAY

(Allow responses.) e answer is yes! When we make bad choices, it can lead to more bad choices. We don’t have to be good when no one is looking. Yes or no?

SAY

(Allow responses.) e answer is no! Real goodness is good all the time—even when no one is looking. Of course, God is always looking.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS

CHALLENGE QUESTIONS

Our goodness can influence others. Yes or no? SAY

SAY

(Allow responses.) e answer is yes! Our goodness can influence other people. We can show them what Jesus is like. And we may help them choose to do what is right. Great job, investigators! Give yourselves a hand. Have the kids clap for themselves.

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FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS

WRAP-UP Kids will review the overall lesson. YOU WILL NEED

GETTING READY

Copies of the Case Summary from the Faith Case CD-ROM

SAY

Make copies of the Case Summary (one per kid) from the Faith Case CD-ROM.

Great investigating! is has been a really good investigation! I’m proud of you and I’m sure the Commissioner is proud of you too. ere is a lot more to being good than I realized. Let’s say our Truth Verse together one more time before we go. • Lead the kids in saying the Truth Verse. (See sidebar.)

SAY

One way we can always make sure we do what is good is to follow our Faith Fact. Let’s say it together and do the actions. • Lead the kids in saying the Faith Fact. (See sidebar.)

SAY

Doing good isn’t always easy, but when we have Jesus in our life He can give us the strength to make good choices—no matter what. Remember, good choices help us make more good choices.

SAY

What an important case! anks for your help solving this Faith Case with me. Now, go out into the world and share what you have discovered! As the Commissioner sort-of says, “God bless and goodness hunting!”

truth verse 3 John 11 Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

faith fact Goodness: I will do what is right.

PRINT CASE SUMMARY

Hand out copies of the Case Summary page. Have more time left? Try one of the Fruit of the Spirit Cards activities.

fruit of the spirit cards

I will do what is right. worldwide. Inc.™ All rights reserved © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, VERSION®; NIV®. Copyright rights reserved. Printed in United States of America. NEW INTERNATIONAL 65802. All from the HOLY BIBLE, Ave., Springfield, Missouri All Scripture quotations are House, 1445 N. Boonville © 2010 by Gospel Publishing

160

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Anyone who does what is good is from God.

GOODNESS: VERSE SIGNS

© 2010 by Gospel Publishing House. All rights reserved. Permission to duplicate for classroom use only.

161

3 John 11

Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

GOODNESS: VERSE SIGNS 162

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