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How to Build Character Lesson 2: My Inner Character .com TM

How to Build Character - World Harvest ChurchPaul’s Power Principle: Character is doing the right thing, no matter what! How to Build Character Know God has set them apart for His

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Page 1: How to Build Character - World Harvest ChurchPaul’s Power Principle: Character is doing the right thing, no matter what! How to Build Character Know God has set them apart for His

How to BuildCharacter

Lesson 2: My Inner Character

.comTM

Page 2: How to Build Character - World Harvest ChurchPaul’s Power Principle: Character is doing the right thing, no matter what! How to Build Character Know God has set them apart for His

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DisCiple TargeTs

Lesson 2—My Inner Character

Unit SummaryChildren grow up being told what to do and what not to do, learning behaviors that keep them out of trouble and earn them rewards. In this short-sighted approach, their walk with Christ becomes limited to seeking to please the adults in their lives. Remove those adults, and the kids’ pursuit of Jesus evaporates as well. Teach children to build solid Christian character, however, and you have disciples who can live victoriously, independent of adult supervision yet dependent on God. Isn’t that our ultimate goal? This unit trains children to evaluate and take ownership of their spiritual growth, following the model of Jesus’ growth in the short but powerful verse, Luke 2:52. In this verse we discover a comprehensive formula for Christian character in young people—wisdom, character, integrity, and reputation. Children can inten-tionally develop in these same areas, if we are willing to guide them!

Lesson SummaryWe can put on a good outward show of character for others to see, but we can’t fool God. He sees our hearts—He knows our thoughts, intentions, and motives. The most difficult part of building character is forming good inner character—having integrity. “Integrity” is originally a pottery term. It means literally “to have no cracks.” Pottery with cracks can be disguised with paint, but in time the cracks grow until the piece is useless and broken. So pottery “with integrity” is highly valued. Christians need to have lives “without cracks” also, because while we can “paint over” cracks so others don’t see them, in time they grow and our ruin our lives. Inner

character produces a spiritual life without cracks that avoids breakage in our walk with Jesus. The

better our inner character, the better a vessel we can be for Him!

Paul’s Power Principle: Character is doing the right thing, no matter what!

How to Build Character

KnowGod has set them apart for His special use and purpose.

FeelAmazed that God’s own character can shine through them.

DoCommit themselves to grow God’s character traits.

In this lesson, your children will...

Page 3: How to Build Character - World Harvest ChurchPaul’s Power Principle: Character is doing the right thing, no matter what! How to Build Character Know God has set them apart for His

SPARK INTERESTChoose from the following activities and ideas to engage kids and grab their attention.

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g Welcome!—MismatchDress up with a bunch of mismatched accessories (socks or shoes that don’t match, cuff links, buttons, earrings, or bracelets that are different, one pant leg rolled up, etc.). Try to wear at least five to eight “odd” items. As children arrive, greet them as usual and ask them to point out as many odd matches as they can find on the leaders before class starts. They can simply call them out as they see them. As new kids arrive, encourage those who have already spotted the mismatches to let the new arrivals discover them for themselves.

Let’s Meet-n-Greet!Have everyone find at least two people they don’t know very well and have them share what “superpower” they would have if they were superheroes!

Leaders, be sure to stop whatever you are doing to move through the audience and greet the children, especially those you do not recognize. Announce any birthdays for the week. (See the How to Use DiscipleTown guide for quick and easy ways to acknowledge visitors and birthdays.)

PowerPoint PresentationAs you plan your lesson, select PowerPoint slides that correspond to the lesson elements you choose. In the “Slide Sorter” View, you can rear-range and/or delete the slides as necessary. For descriptions of the included slides and tips on their use, see the notes accompanying each slide.

General Supplies Bibles, puppets, video projection (optional) Pencils, pens, paper

Spark Interest WELCOME!: clothing accessories LET’S PLAY!: slips of paper CONNECT WITH YOUR KIDS: none

Explore Scripture KEYVERSE: none

Inspire Action DRAMATIZE THE POINT: various props (see

activity)

sUpplies

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Let’s Worship!As you open in worship, emphasize that inner character leads us to want to do the right thing, no matter what the cost.

Recommended Song: I’m God’s Kid by Rob Biagi from Get Out There CD, available at Kidology.org

Puppet IntroLeader & puppet introduce today’s lesson. You will find a scripted version of this intro at the end of the lesson. Supplies: puppet

Puppet wants to sell a bunch of stuff at a yard sale but wants to have it at the leader’s house. Leader asks why, and puppet is vague and doesn’t seem to have a reason. Leader asks what the puppet is selling, and it says, “Oh, a bunch of great stuff—super stuff—electronics, toys, all great stuff. All battery operated things that used to work great, er, well, will work great once batteries are added...” Leader asks if puppet is going to include batteries with the items or have batteries at the sale so people can test the items before buying. Puppet says no, because if they don’t work, the people won’t buy them. Leader says, “But if people buy them, get home, put batteries in them, and they don’t work, the people will be upset. They’ll come asking for their money back.” Puppet answers, “Which is why I want to have the sale at your house instead of my house.” Leader says, “Hold on a minute—you want to make these things look good on the outside even if the insides are all broken?!?” Puppet says, “Well, some of them might be okay. That’s the only way to make them look good and get more money for them. It’s not what’s on the inside that counts, it’s what people think is on the inside that counts, right?” The leader shakes his or her head and is flabbergasted. “No! What’s on the inside is what matters! Making something look good is meaningless. Being good inside and out is what’s important. [Puppet name], I think you need to listen to today’s lesson and rethink this whole yard sale idea.” Puppet says, “Really?” Leader says, “Really!” Puppet sighs. “Okay, I’ll mark everything half off.” Leader throws his or her hands in the air and says, “[Puppet name], sometimes I just don’t know what to do with you.” Puppet says, “Fine, 75% off then, and that’s my final offer!” Leader says, “You really need today’s lesson.” After puppet leaves, discuss with the children what was wrong with the puppet’s plan. Don’t be too hard on the puppet—keep it light and humorous.

Option: Bring the puppet out at the end of the lesson and have it decide that it will test all the items, and if they are broken, it will throw them in the trash and only sell things that work.

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Let’s Play!—Animal BarnyardSee an option for small group size in Additional Ideas.Supplies: slips of paper

Prepare slips of paper with the names of animals that make unique noises that kids can easily imitate (such as dog, cat, snake, frog, sheep, cow, duck, pig, horse, etc.). Make two slips of each animal with enough for your entire group of kids. If you have too many children and not enough animals, make three sets of slips. Fold the slips in half and randomly pass them out. Don’t let the kids look at what animal they have until you say, “Go!” At that point, the kids look at their animal names, and then, only by making that animal’s noise, try to find the children who have the same animal. The room will fill with animal noises and sound like a barnyard! Once kids find their matches, they sit down together. No one may talk until everyone has found a match. It’s noisy fun!

The Point: You may have felt a little silly making your animal noises, but the only way you could win was if you were willing to do the right thing by the game—and hope your match was doing the right thing, too! If either of you had been too embarrassed to do it, you would have lost. Character is being willing to do the right thing, even when it might be difficult, embarrassing, or feel awkward—knowing that it is the only way to please God. Character is doing the right thing, no matter what!

Option: Reward the kids with frosted animal crackers.

Connect with Your KidsHave you ever bought something that looked really great but after you bought it you felt ripped off? Tell the kids, being honest about your feelings and frustration. Then make the compari-son to how it can be the same with people. We can present ourselves as one kind of person and then as people get to know us, they discover we are actually very different. They can feel “ripped off”—frustrated, cheated, even let down. We need to be real and genuine. When we are not trying to pretend to be who we aren’t, we can relax and be ourselves. It’s such a blessing to have friends you can be real around. You don’t want to be the friend who “gets returned,” like an item you return to the store.

What is your story of making sure your inner character pleases God and draws others to you?

DiscipleTown VisitorClyde the Clown:* Clyde appears, dressed as a clown and playing with an uninflated balloon. He sees the leader and immediately starts to blow up the balloon to make an animal. The leader is startled. Clyde talks about how he has the skills to turn this boring, pathetic little piece of stretchy plastic into something amazing! He presents his balloon creation to the leader with a “Tadaa!!” Leader explains that just as the clown created amazing things out of the balloons, God wants to take our lives and create His character in each of us. It is what is inside the balloon that gives it shape to make it special. What is inside us makes us special, too. Character inflates us—lack of character makes us feel down and flat.

*CHARACTERS: These are suggested characters and names. Please feel free to change or adjust according to the actors and props you have available.

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Let’s Search!—Bible DashSupplies: Bibles

Ask all kids with Bibles to participate, or invite a few volunteers to come to the front. As children hold Bibles closed with hands on covers, state the Bible reference twice, then on the command “SEARCH!” have the students race to locate the verse. Once they have a finger on the verse, they can stand and call out, “FOUND IT!” Have the first child read the verse aloud while you project the verse on a screen via PowerPoint. See suggestions below for comments on each verse. Keep your comments brief and to the point of the lesson.

1 John 3:7 Righteousness means to do what’s right.Philippians 2:3-4 God wants us to be humble.Psalm 15:1-3 God wants us to be honest.John 14:27 God’s peace is better than the world’s.John 16:33 Jesus has overcome the world, so we can have peace.Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, do it as unto God.Romans 12:2 Don’t be like this world, be like God.

Paul’s Power Principle: Character is doing the right thing, no matter what!

Suggested Bible NarrativeJoseph’s Inner Character—Genesis 39

Luke 2:52 describes Jesus growing in stature. In its simplest form, this is a physical description, but Jesus certainly grew in character as well. In Genesis 39, we discover that Joseph also grew physically. So much so that the Bible says he was handsome. His inner character had led to him being placed in charge of his master’s entire household. Joseph’s choice to be a man of character had certainly paid off! However, his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and began flirting with him. Finally, when they were alone, she grabbed Joseph and tried to get him to go to bed with her. Joseph’s character kicked into high gear. Not only was this wrong against his master, but it was wrong against God. Aside from the temptation, Joseph could have gone along just to protect his current job and situation, but he risked losing everything to do what was right. He ran from her! The wife’s poor character response was to accuse Joseph of attacking her—and her husband believed her and threw Joseph in jail! Once again, Joseph had a choice to make. He could be bitter and angry, blaming God for his terrible situation, or he could uphold his strong inner character—even though that was what had put him in jail! He chose to keep pleasing God, and soon he was in charge of the entire prison!

Tell the story in the first person again. Be sensitive when it comes to Potiphar’s wife and what it was she wanted to do. In character, it is fine to act a little embarrassed and say that she wanted to kiss and “make out” and that Joseph ran. That will be more than the kids want to know anyway. The point isn’t the details of the sin, but that it was wrong. When in prison, explain while Joseph wasn’t excited about being a prisoner, he decided to be the best prisoner they had ever had. And God honored his choice.

•••••••

EXPLORE SCRIPTURESeize on the children’s interest and direct them into God’s Word.

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Let’s Learn!—My Inner CharacterSupplies: Bibles, clay pot with small fine cracks, or a picture of an old clay pot displayed on screen

After telling the story of Joseph’s rise and quick fall to prison, talk about how inner character isn’t always a ticket to success. It is important to let children know you aren’t teaching “Do the right thing and things will always go better for you.” No, things might go worse! The point of character isn’t looking for the “better” way, it is looking for the right way.

Read 1 John 3:7. The word “righteous” comes from doing what is right. The Bible says it is better to suffer for doing what is right than to suffer for doing what is wrong.

Read 1 Peter 2:19-21. If you suffer for doing wrong, you deserve it. But if you suffer for doing good, because you are following God, you are in good company. Jesus suffered and modeled how to endure it. God notices what you do, and He will reward you.

Read 1 Peter 3:13-15. When we suffer for doing what is right, we are blessed! We are to respectfully explain why we are following God to those who don’t understand, even if we might suffer for it just as Joseph did.

Read 2 Thessalonians 1:4-6. God is faithful, and in time He is going to reward us for doing what is right. And for those people we see doing evil, have no worries—no one is getting away with anything. God is just, and the time will come when He will make things right. Joseph’s story is proof of that.

And Joseph is such a great example to follow. A slave who became the master of the house. Then a prisoner who became head of the prison. All because of his character. Do you ever have to sweep the floor? Be the best floor sweeper there ever was! Are you made to clean the bathroom? Make it the cleanest bathroom anyone ever saw!

Read Colossians 3:23. Character is deciding that you work for God, not people. It is choosing to please God no matter if you are treated fairly or if the person you serve “deserves” to be served or not. And guess what? God will honor that! Over and over there are stories of people who demonstrated good inner character in tough situations, and amazing things resulted.

Object Lesson: Show a clay pot to your kids. You often hear Christians talk about “integrity”—things like, “We need to be people of integrity.” But what does that really mean? Integrity is actually a pottery term. Integrity means to be “without cracks.” When a clay pot is made, it is baked in an oven. If it is baked too long or if the clay is too old, it can develop cracks. These cracks can be very tiny—perhaps even impossible to see. Once they are there, they will only grow—they don’t go away. So when you buy a clay pot, you want one without cracks—one with integrity. Over time, the cracks can grow and eventually break the pot—whatever is inside would spill out all over the place. Someone trying to sell a pot without integrity might try to paint over the cracks, but once the pot broke and the insides poured out, the trick would be discovered!

Christians say we need to live with integrity because sins are like cracks in our spiritual lives. When we sin, it makes small cracks in our souls. We can try to hide or cover them up and fool people by talking or acting good, but if sin is there, it will only get bigger unless we ask God to repair it. Without God’s help, eventually the sins would grow, breaking us open so that what is inside would pour out for everyone to see!

That’s why we need to fix those cracks of sin, even when no one can see them but us! Avoiding cracks in our souls is what having inner character is about.

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Dee’s Disciple Tip: Let’s look this week at three Inner Character Traits. These are traits that are only true on the inside, so no one but God can really see them. You can fake them on the outside, but God knows if you truly possess them on the inside.

Listed below are the three traits followed by an opposite trait. Write each trait on a slip of paper, roll it up, and place it inside a 12-inch balloon. Inflate the balloons. Choose six kids from the audience and give each of them one of the balloons. Explain that inside the balloons are the three “Inner” character traits and three words that describe the opposite of each trait. On “go,” they are to pop the balloons by sitting on them and then read their words, pairing up with the person who has the related opposite word. Once the kids are paired up, stand beside each pair and talk about each trait using the opposite to further illustrate the trait’s meaning. A verse from the Bible Dash is included for reference.

Inner Traits (Ones No One Can See)Be humble <<>> proud (Philippians 2:3-4)Be honest <<>> dishonest (Psalm 15:1-3)Be peaceful <<>> worried/anxious (John 14:27, 16:33)

KeyVerseTopic: Jesus’ CharacterReference: Luke 2:52

Memorization Activity: Attach poster board or butcher paper to a wall on which children can mark their heights. This lesson, focus on the second phrase, “growing in stature,” and have the children mark their heights (in inches) on one of the designated areas. Ask them to remember their heights. Then post all the leaders’ names on one poster board each. Have the leaders stand next to their posters and let the kids write on the poster how tall they think each leader is. The kids write a number guess and sign their name (e.g. “69 inches, Jordan Bastian”). The closest guess wins a prize! (Make sure all the leaders know their height in inches ahead of time.)

Review the verse several times with the children using the hand motions below.

And Jesus sign language for “Lord”—right hand passes from left shoulder down to right hip, as though showing a sashgrew drop to floor and stand up with hands over heads, growing like a treein wisdom point to brainand stature pose like a bodybuilderand in favor create “OK” gesture with thumb and forefingerwith God both hands point to skyand men point quickly to many peopleLuke form an “L” with right hand2 hold up two fingers with left hand52 hold up five fingers followed by two fingers with right hand

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Dramatize the Point—Mmmmm ‘n Oh OH!Act this out or read as a story. Supplies: four actors, gift box of M&M’s, wrapped gift, balloons and bows tied on broomstick or coat rack, two chairs, cardboard car

Use the following script. The names are suggestions—feel free to change or adjust.

[Sarah and her mom are preparing for Emily’s 10th birthday party. Mom hands Sarah a gift box of M&M’s and the other birthday gift.]

Sarah: Mom, I did it! I did it! I memorized all the fruits of the Spirit—my memory verse for Sun-day school next week!

Mom: Great job, let me hear it!

Sarah: Okay. “The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.

Mom: Great job! Do you know what all that means?

Sarah: Yup...when the Holy Spirit lives in us, He begins to help us become people that can be described with those words. Except...what does “self-control” mean?

Mom: Well, it means making your hands, feet, and lips do what is right, not just what you want. It is keeping them under control.

Sarah: Ah, I see!

Mom: Okay, Sarah, do you have everything? We’d better get going or you’ll be late for Emily’s birthday party.

Sarah: Yup, I think I do. I even have her special favorite treat—M&M’s. She is going to love this little bonus gift, right Mom?

Mom: I’m sure she will! Let’s get going because I still need to stop off at the store and get a card!

[Mom and Sarah get into cardboard car and pretend to drive. They arrive at the store, and Mom goes inside.]

Mom: I’ll just be a moment, Sarah. Can you wait here?

Sarah: Sure, Mom! I am ten, you know. Ha ha!

Mom: Okay...I’ll be back before the dog can catch his tail!

[As mom goes in, Sarah is tempted by the box of M&M’s—she opens the lid and peeks at them]

Sarah: Oh, Emily sure is going to love these M&M’s! Mmmm, they sure look yummy! [Closes the box, then pauses, and opens it again. Takes a sniff.] Mmmm, they smell sooo good! I wish it was my birthday! I’m sure she won’t miss it if I eat just one! I mean, she won’t even know! [Nibbles an M&M, then quickly closes the box. Licks her lips and opens the box again for another, and another, and another!] Oh, you can hardly tell I ate any! I mean really, she won’t know how full it was! One more won’t hurt! [Continues eating one more, then one more, then two more, then a handful. Ham it up and make a spectacle about how yummy the candy is. Suddenly, Sarah reaches in the box and realizes there are none left—she has eaten them all!] Oh no! What have I done? I wasn’t even pay-ing attention, and now I have eaten every last M&M! Oh...what am I going to do!

INSPIRE ACTIONEncourage kids to apply the Bible truth to their lives.

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[Sarah quickly hides the box before her mom arrives. Mom returns and drops her off at the party.]

Sarah: Bye, Mom. Thanks! [Waves and turns toward Emily’s door.] Oh, I wish I hadn’t eaten all those candies. Now I don’t have her favorite candy to give her! [Knocks.]

Emily: Oh, hi Sarah! So glad you could come. Come right on in!

Sarah: Happy birthday, Emily!

[Emily’s mom enters the room with broomstick decorations and calls everyone to gather around and sing “Happy birthday!” Then all actors do a “fast forward movie” of the birthday party. Suggested actions: pinning tail on Emily, being scared by a popped balloon, rolling on the floor laughing, pranks, blowing out candles , opening presents with paper flying everywhere, etc.]

Emily: Thank you all for coming to my party, it was awesome! I just can’t believe no one bought me my favorite candy! I was soo looking forward to M&M’s today! Oh well, it was a great party!

[Everyone waves goodbye, and Sarah sits on the step outside waiting for her mom. She is sad.]

Sarah: I guess I can see why self-control is a good thing to have. [Bows head.] Dear Jesus, please build Your characteristics in me—I need Your help! Thank You for showing me how I can grow and let more of You shine through me every day! I promise never to eat someone’s birthday present ever again! Amen.

Object Talks—Puppet TalksSupplies: video projection

The video clip for this lesson features a puppet fourth grader, Luke, sitting at his computer video blogging about inner character and how being humble, honest and peaceful relate to lessons he learned during the week. Featured verse: 1 Corinthians 4:7

Let’s Talk!—Small Group DiscussionSupplies: Bibles (1 per small group), pens and paper

Look up the following Scriptures and write down the clues they give for how we can allow God’s character to grow inside us:

James 1:22Psalm 119: 97-104Romans 12:2James 4:7Joshua 1:7

Discussion Questions1) Name three ways we can learn about the character that God wants in our lives.2) Describe two ways that you can build good character each day.3) Why would God want us to have His character in our lives?4) What happens if we do not let God change our hearts and build His character in us?5) Who in our lives can help us grow to be more like Jesus?

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DiscipleTown Super CitizenChoose a child who brought his or her Bible to church today. Explain that we can learn about God’s character when we read the Bible.

Let’s Pray!Dear Jesus, thank You for loving us so much and for helping us become better people each day. Thank You for the daily opportunity to serve You and obey Your word. Help us make good choices and do what is right so that Your character can grow in us. Make us more like You. In Your holy name, amen.

Cy’s Challenge: Ask God to show you a “crack” in your life that you need to repair, and do something about it this week.

Let’s Review!If you have extra time, use these review questions to keep the kids focused on the lesson until time to dismiss. A handful of candy will help you keep their attention. After each question, take a minute to reiterate the lesson point related to the question.

1) Character is doing the right thing, no matter .2) Like a balloon, character starts on the .3) True/False—Joseph deserved to go to jail.4) Did Joseph have a good attitude or a bad attitude?5) Righteous means doing .6) If we suffer for doing right, God will us.7) Integrity means “without .”8) Name two of the three “Inner” traits.

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For the HomeDiscipleTown Table Talker: Give each child a copy of this week’s DiscipleTown Table Talker. Be sure to show the kids how to put it together and encourage them to ask their parents to lead family devotions three times this week.

Parent Email: Copy and send the email below to help your parents connect with their kids during the week. Send them early in the week, but not on Sunday. As a courtesy, be sure parents have opted to receive these emails. Review and edit as necessary to reflect the lesson elements you have used. You can also find this email as a Microsoft Word document in your download bundle.

Dear Mom and Dad,

We just learned that God’s desire is to build character in us that is just like Jesus’ character. We dis-covered that we can allow God to change our hearts to be more like Him.

Pretending to do the right things doesn’t mean that the character inside us is changed. We need to allow God to change us from the inside out, so that God’s character can shine through our lives everywhere we go.

Take some time to read with your child(ren) stories from the New Testament about Jesus. Discuss character traits He displays in the stories and then ask God to build those character traits in you.

The DiscipleTown Table Talkers are a valuable resource on the topic of character, so be sure to use them to kick-start some mealtime conversation.

The specific character traits we looked at this week were the “inner traits” (the ones no one can truly see)—being humble, honest, and peaceful. Take time to discuss with your child(ren) what these words mean.

As always, know that we support you and desire to partner with you in building kids of character!

Building young disciples,

[Your Name]

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Chip’s Snack Time!Supplies: soda crackers, spray cheese, molasses

Ahead of class, take two soda crackers and smear molasses between them. At snack time, get out the “sample” and ask the children who would like one. (They may volunteer, thinking it is chocolate.) Allow children to taste it and ask them what they think. Share the words below, then allow kids to make their own spray cheese cracker sandwiches to enjoy.

Application: The same way that the crackers with molasses inside were unappealing to eat, our character can mess up our lives and make us unappealing to people. God wants to clean out our darkness and poor character and replace them with His delicious, good character. When we allow God to build His character inside us, we can be loving and kind people that others will want to be around.

Additional IdeasA Blue Carnation—Beforehand, place a white carnation into a vase of water mixed with fifteen to twenty drops of blue food coloring. Allow the carnation to soak up the blue water for about twenty-four hours. Leave a second carnation in regular water. Bring the flowers and vase of blue water with you to class.

Show the regular carnation. God made us as beautiful creations, just like this carnation, but God also desires for His character to shine through us. Sometimes we pretend to be good people but are just covering up the poor character inside us. Spray or paint blue paint onto the carnation. What do you think will happen to this carnation if it keeps pre-tending? Allow children to answer.

Instead, God wants to change us from the inside out. He wants to fill us with His character, so that we “soak Him up,” and He shines through us. Bring out the carnation made blue by soaking up the water. Which carnation would you rather be? How do we “soak up” God’s character?

Brain Reading Machine— Make a fake brain reading machine out of miscellaneous equipment. Have a leader or puppet volunteer to have his or her brain “read” and hook the volunteer up to an overhead or video projector. Either bop the person on the head or have him or her drink something to fall asleep. On the overhead, show images of what is in this person’s brain. Start with simple images such as movies, sports, actors, video games, etc. Be sure to show the church, Jesus, children, spouse, etc. Then “go deeper” and show spider webs, garbage, and a skeleton in a closet. (You can find images with an Internet image search.) Use good taste, but get a rise out of the kids. Then decide you’d better stop! Tell the kids not to say anything about what you saw. Wake the volunteer up. The kids will certainly yell out what they saw! The Point: God sees what we have inside, and we need to build good inner character. We can fool people, but we can’t fool God.

BONUS MATERIALSUse these options to extend your time or as substitutes for the ideas above.

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Animal Guessing Game for Small Group—Supplies: twelve athletic headbands, twelve cards with unique animal names written on them

Choose twelve children to play this game. Have leaders put an athletic headband on each child and then place a card with the name of an animal facing out between the headband and forehead. Others playing the game should be able to read the animal name, but the player should not be able to see his or her own card.

On “go,” the children mingle with one another and ask questions to guess the animals showing on their foreheads. Explain the following rules: 1) players may ask only questions that have a yes or no answer (e.g. Am I a mammal? Do I have wings? Do I live on a farm? etc.) 2) Other players cannot use sign language or make animal noises to assist the guesser. 3) The first player to guess his or her animal correctly wins! 4) Everyone else must form a circle around the winner and pretend they are the animal on the winner’s card for thirty seconds.

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How to Build Character—Lesson 2 © 2010, DiscipleLand. Permission granted to reproduce for volunteers.

DIRECTOR’S NOTESThe words in italics are notes for you and your puppeteers; they are not to be read aloud.

Puppet: Hey, [leader name], I have a great idea to make some money for Kids Church, and I was wondering if I could use your big front yard for it.

Leader: Uh...well...what are you going to do?

Puppet: I’m going to have an amazing yard sale and sell a lot of my things so other people can enjoy them, too!

Leader: Well, why do you need my front lawn? You have a front lawn, don’t you?

Puppet: Well, ya...but yours is much nicer. PLEEEEASE!

Leader: What kinds of things are you going to sell?

Puppet: Oh, a bunch of great stuff—super stuff—elec-tronics, toys, all great stuff. All battery operated things that used to work great, er, well, will work great once bat-teries are added! [He pauses to think.] I had so much fun with this stuff, I just want others to have fun, too!

Leader: Great idea. Are you going to include batteries with the items or have batteries at the sale so people can test the items before buying them?

Puppet: [Shocked and stunned:] What? Are you kidding me—of course not! Who’s going to spend money on a toy that doesn’t work? They can’t test them beforehand!

Leader: But if people buy them, get home, and put bat-teries in them and they don’t work, the people will be up-set. They’ll come asking for their money back.

Puppet: I know...that’s why I need to do it on your front lawn instead of mine! Duh!

Leader: Hold on a minute—you want to make these things look good on the outside even if the insides are all broken?!?

Puppet: Of course. I mean, some of them might be okay. But I need to sell them all and that’s the only way to make them look good and get more money for them. It’s not what’s on the inside that counts, it’s what people think is on the inside that counts, right?

Leader: [Shakes head, completely flabbergasted.] No! What’s on the inside is what matters! Making something look good is meaningless. Being good inside and out is what’s important. [Puppet name], I think you need to listen to today’s lesson and rethink this whole yard sale idea.

Puppet: Really?

Leader: Really!

Puppet: Okay, I’ll mark everything half off! That’ll do it!

Leader: [Throws hands up in frustration.] [Puppet name], sometimes I just don’t know what to do with you.

Puppet: Fine, 75% off then, and that’s my final offer!

Leader: I’m not buying or selling anything until you listen to today’s lesson. Why don’t you sit back and, after the les-son, we’ll talk about it. And you aren’t using my yard to defraud people!

Puppet: Okay, it’s a deal, but I’m telling you everyone loves a good sale!! [Exit Puppet.]

[Leader: after Puppet leaves, discuss with the children about what was wrong with the puppet’s plan. Don’t be too hard on the puppet—keep it light and humorous.]

OPTIONAL CLOSING SKETCH:Puppet: Oh man, I can see why you thought my ideas weren’t so clever! I guess if I am going to have good char-acter inside, I can’t let myself sell broken stuff to others!

Leader: Now you’re getting it! Your inner character is very important, just like having working parts inside is neces-sary to make a toy fun to play with!

Puppet: Yah...I think I’ll just throw out my robot Incred-ible Hulk—when you push the talk button it sounds like he’s got a squeak toy stuck in his throat! I think I’ll test the other toys, too, and only sell the ones that work!

Leader: That’s a great idea! And if the characteristic you are going to demonstrate is honesty and integrity, then you can certainly use my front lawn!

Puppet: Nah, my front lawn will work just fine—I won’t have any upset customers, and I really think they’ll like my garden trolls. I have one dressed up like Iron Man!

Leader: [Laughs.] Okay, well, good luck!

Puppet: Thanks, [leader name], for helping me get all this straight! See ya!

*PUPPET: Develop a puppet character to use regularly. The children will get to know the personality and enjoy these regular visits. Dee, Cy, and Paul puppets are available at DiscipleLand.com

Puppet Intro—Batteries Not Included

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DiscipleTown Visitor Script

How to Build Character—Lesson 2 © 2010, DiscipleLand. Permission granted to reproduce for volunteers.

DIRECTOR’S NOTESThe words in italics are notes for you and your volunteers; they are not to be read aloud.

[Clyde the Clown enters humming a funny song, carrying a balloon pump and a few uninflated animal balloons.]

Clyde the Clown*: Oh my, hello boys and girls! How are you today? Watch this... [Begins to inflate a balloon and create a dog, making funny noises as he goes.] Ooooh...ah-hhhh...ooh...did you see that? Neat wasn’t it! Oh, here is my big move—wait for it...wait for it! Booyah!!! Like magic! [Finishes the dog with dramatic flair and presents it with a bow to the leader.] For you, [sir or ma’am]!

Leader: Oh, uh, well, thank you Mr...Clown. I...I don’t know what to say!

Clyde: Clyde’s the name, and clownin’s my game! Do you like giraffes?

Leader: Uh...sure!

Clyde: Ladies and gentlemen...watch as I use my amazing skills to turn this boring, pathetic little piece of stretchy plastic into something...well...very tall! [Continues with same antics as before, being very animated and making silly noises as he creates his balloon animal.] Oh my...yup...yup...now here is the tricky part...hold your breath...okay... okay!! Oh, you can breathe now...and...drum roll please...tadaaa!!! One very tall giraffe!

Leader: [Warming to Clyde and his talents:] Wow, you really know what you’re doing! Looks like you enjoy it!

Clyde: Enjoy it? Are you kidding...this is my favoriteist thing ever! Taking these very ordinary balloons, breathing life into them with a few twists and a turn here and there... It’s like presto-chango...I have a balloon with a fine bit of character! Aaaannnnd... [Draws a funny face on the giraffe with marker.] these giraffes can really be characters, let me tell you!

Leader: [Laughs.] Wow, it’s true! You really turned that balloon into something spectacular!

Clyde: That’s right, and did you know that you are a bal-loon, too?

Leader: Pardon me? I’m not a balloon!

Clyde: Sure you are! Go like this. [Makes a funny face, stretching his face out.] Go on, do it!

Leader: Uh, well, I don’t know... [Pauses, waiting for kids to encourage him or her and then complies.]

Clyde: Exactly! Funny faces and all, we are like balloons. God wants to inflate each of us with His character. [Holds up an uninflated balloon.] So even if you feel flat and de-flated, you can choose to have God fill you up and shape you just the way He wants you to be—a work of art, full of His good character!

Leader: Hey, that’s a great way to look at it, Clyde!

Clyde: Uh, I didn’t say you could stop making that funny face!

Leader: Oh. Well, I’ll only do it again if the kids do it with me...

Clyde: Now that is the deal of the century. All right, ev-eryone together now: 3...2...1...FUNNY FACE!!! [Laughs and joins in making funny faces.]

Leader: Clyde, thank you for reminding us that who we are inside is very important! Now every time I see a cool balloon animal, I’m going think about God filling me up with His character!

Clyde: Then my work here is done! You take care of Gerry now, you hear? [Motions to giraffe balloon, then turns to the children.] And you make sure there is no giraffe abuse go-ing on while I’m away, all right?

[Clyde exits, humming and skipping.]

*CHARACTERS: These are suggested characters and names. Please feel free to change or adjust according to the actors and props you have available.

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Curriculum Map

.comTM

How to Grow Spiritual Fruit

How to Make Good Friends

How to Walk in the Spirit

How to Be Jesus’ Disciple

How to Build Character

How to Navigate the New Testament

How to Explain My Faith

How to Earn Eternal Rewards

How to Follow God’s Plan

How to Make Good Choices

How to Navigate the Old Testament

How to Study My Bible

How to Know the Truth

How to Discover Gifts and Talents

How to Walk Victoriously

How to Meet with God

How to Worship God

How to Use My Bible

How to Show Respect

How to Pray

How to Be Faithful Workers

How to Love God

How to Memorize God’s Word

How to Be Global Christians

(DiscipleTown Units in no particular order)

Each DiscipleTown Unit will teach your kids an essential “how to” skill to become victorious disciples of Jesus!