Week 6 Key slide - Download PowerPoint version from bottom of this page.

Week 6 Key slide - Download PowerPoint version from bottom of this page.

Growing the Good Stuff

Week 6 Self-Control

PART 1 - LEAD IN SESSION DRAMA

Outline for Leaders

In Orchard Street today trouble is brewing as Archie throws an empty crisp packet onto Mrs Waterhouse’s garden.

Characters: Lloyd (Community Policeman), Mrs Waterhouse, Archie.

Props: Front doors numbered 1 & 4, Orchard Street set-up, crisp packet, policeman’s helmet.

SKETCH - The Crisp Packet

[There is an alternative idea for the way in which this sketch could be presented at the bottom of this page. see video.]

You could create a little garden (few artificial plants and imitation grass) for Archie to drop his crisp packet on to.

You could create a little garden (few artificial plants and imitation grass) for Archie to drop his crisp packet on to.

Narrator: It’s a lovely day here in Orchard Street and Archie is just returning home from College, he’s really hungry and can’t wait for his tea. Oh, Archie has remembered that he didn’t eat all of his crisps at lunchtime and is getting them out of his pocket. He’s gobbling the crisps down, all gone. Oh no! Archie has thrown the empty crisp packet on Mrs Waterhouse’s lovely tidy garden and she’s coming out of the door to go shopping.

Mrs Waterhouse: (shouting) Hey, what do you think you are doing with your rubbish?

Archie: (just shrugs his shoulders)

Narrator: Oh dear, Mrs Waterhouse’s face has gone bright red with anger, she is not a happy lady.

Mrs Waterhouse: (with her hand beckons Archie over)

Narrator: Oh dear again, Mrs Waterhouse is going to give Archie a piece of her mind. But wait, here comes Lloyd.

Lloyd: Hello - what’s going on here then?

Mrs Waterhouse: (very wound up) It’s like this Lloyd, Archie here, has just thrown an empty crisp packet onto my lovely tidy garden.

Lloyd: (Seeing that Mrs Waterhouse is angry, in a whispering voice but so that the audience can hear) OK Mrs Waterhouse I can see that you are upset but let’s just take a few moments and have a little calm shall we. (Lloyd speaks softly to Mrs Waterhouse as he tries to calm the situation.)

Lloyd: Now come on Archie, we know the right place for rubbish don’t we, and it’s not Mrs Waterhouse’s lawn is it? Archie, do you think you could show a little more respect for Mrs Waterhouse please. At times we all go to do things that we know we shouldn’t and it’s then that we need to have a bit of SELF-CONTROL don’t we?

Self-control apple added to the orchard St tree.

Lloyd: Mrs Waterhouse, we all get angry sometimes and when we do, we once again need to have SELF-CONTROL so that we don’t lose our temper and say or do things that we shouldn’t. Having SELF-CONTROL is so important and the world is a much better place when people show it.

Archie: (picks up his rubbish) Sorry Mrs Waterhouse.

Mrs Waterhouse: And I’m sorry too Archie for shouting.

Narrator: (As Archie, Lloyd and Mrs Waterhouse leave the scene they smile and wave goodbye to each other.) So once again peace returns to Orchard Street and later we’ll learn a little more about SELF-CONTROL.

PART 2

Bible Chat

Self-control - Based on James chapter 3 verses 1 - 12
Use PowerPoint provided for this talk.

Chat for Kids

Today we are looking at self-control. Ask the children for some examples that show a lack of self-control. Possible  examples:

Screaming /shouting.

Fighting/kicking, hitting out at someone.

Swearing.

Saying unkind, hurtful things.

Demanding you want something now and won’t wait.

Losing your temper.

There’s a little book in the Bible that was written by a guy called James and it has a lot to say about self-control.

Continue chat with PowerPoint as outlined below.
Download PowerPoint and notes from ‘DOWNLOADS’ bottom of this page




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James said that if we could control our tongue, that is, what we say we would control our whole lives. Have you ever said something that you wished you hadn’t said? I know I have, sadly too many times. Our tongues can sometimes get the better of us

James said that if we could control our tongue, that is, what we say we would control our whole lives. Have you ever said something that you wished you hadn’t said? I know I have, sadly too many times. Our tongues can sometimes get the better of us and cause us a lot of problems.

James reminds us that we all get it wrong at times. He knew that controlling the tongue is hard but learning how to control what comes out of our mouths is the key to controlling every part of our life.

James gives us examples of how powerful the tongue is. He compares it to controlling a ship. Although a ship is so big, the ship’s wheel is relatively small but it turns the ship wherever the captain wants it to go.  

James gives us examples of how powerful the tongue is. He compares it to controlling a ship. Although a ship is so big, the ship’s wheel is relatively small but it turns the ship wherever the captain wants it to go.  

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James gives another example to help us understand this. A fire in a forest starts off with just a tiny spark. A person can set a whole forest on fire with just one match. If a little spark can cause a raging fire, just a few words can cause a lot of

James gives another example to help us understand this. A fire in a forest starts off with just a tiny spark. A person can set a whole forest on fire with just one match. If a little spark can cause a raging fire, just a few words can cause a lot of trouble!

Words can be used to encourage and help build self-esteem in others, they can also do the opposite and cause harm. James tells us that this is not good. He wanted us to realise that we need God’s power and love to help us control what we say. We hav

Words can be used to encourage and help build self-esteem in others, they can also do the opposite and cause harm. James tells us that this is not good. He wanted us to realise that we need God’s power and love to help us control what we say. We have to learn to listen to others, think twice before we speak and if necessary count to ten to control our temper!

PART 3 - RESPONSE TIME

Ask the children in your group if they think self-control is important. Have they ever experienced being out of control in something or have they seen someone else being out of control? Have they ever lost their temper? How did they feel? Did they regret losing their temper? Did they upset someone?

Remind the children that we all need more self-control from time to time and God can help us with this. Ask the children to write down their own prayer asking for His help in whatever area they are lacking self-control.

Week 6 DOWNLOADS

Week 6 Lead-in Drama script, Bible chat & response time leaders’ notes
PowerPoint Week 6 - Key phrase slide
PowerPoint of images for self-control Bible chat

Alternative idea for the way in which sketch could be presented. See video below.

This presentation features a reporter coming to Orchard Street to interview the characters. It also includes an apple tree lead in and ending.