When I was a new mom, I felt like my kids needed more self-control. Ha! Obviously. Parenting would be a lot easier with self-controlled kids.
Selfishness comes naturally. Self-control? Not so much.
Thankfully, the Bible gives us some really great insight on why and how to attain self-control in our lives–as a kid or a grown-up!
Here are 5 verses we’ve memorized in my family, plus some fun activities to go with them. Go ahead, ask my kids. They know these by heart!
5 Bible Memory Verses for Kids About Self-Control
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Introducing our children to the Fruit of the Spirit can seem like a big overwhelming checklist of goals to attain. Instead, it should be an awesome gift list God gives to us. In turn, it can be a prayer list for us to ask God to develop in our own lives.
Family Activity Idea: Do a little fruity kool-aid painting. Grab a few packets of kool-aid, add water and use it as paint. Paint your own pictures of fruit, the Bible verse or print off these fun fruit coloring sheets.
Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
The Bible is so full of great imagery! I can tell you from experience that explaining to your out-of-control kid that they are like a city whose walls are broken down is always very sobering. We know the Bible is useful for teaching and correcting and this is a perfect example. When we see our child lacking self-control, use this verse to help him understand the terrible results.
Family Activity Idea: Use boxes and/or blocks to create a wall around a favorite toy. Discuss how the toy is protected. Then, knock down part of the wall and talk about how the toy is not protected. Have your child consider which way seems better to him. Then, remind him that self-control keeps that protection around him, too!
Foolish people let their anger run wild. But wise people keep themselves under control.
Here’s another verse with vivid words that won’t leave your mind! My daughter and I memorized this one when she was very little and have both reminded each other about letting our anger run wild many times.
Family Activity Idea: Make a wild and foolish person poster and quote the verse as you create.
Read the next 2 verses + download a printable to hang on your fridge at the Minno blog!
