Children’s Lesson 6

LIVING A DISCIPLINED LIFE

King Solomon was the wisest person of his lifetime, and maybe even of ALL TIME. 

1 Kings 4:29-30a says ā€œAnd God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore,so that Solomonā€™s wisdom was more than the wisdom of all the peopleā€¦ā€

Wise King Solomon said in the book of Proverbs, PART 1 ā€œHe who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and PART 2 he who rules his spirit better than he who takes a city.ā€ (Proverbs 16:32).

In other words, a bad temper and not doing like you know you should makes you weak.

Solomon knew that greatness wasnā€™t about big muscles or being able to make others do what you say.   He knew that to be truly great in Godā€™s eyes, that we would have to first RULE OVER OURSELVES.

PART 1

When someone calls you names or gives you a dirty look, or picks you last to play on the team, do you get mad and yell or kick or talk bad back to them?  What about when your parents or teachers wonā€™t let you have your way or wonā€™t buy you something you want, do you pitch a fit and cry and scream or fuss?

Solomon said to be MIGHTY, you had to be slow, slow, slow to get angry.  Meaning it should not take one thing to make you so upset that you pitch a fit.  To be MIGHTY you must learn how to deal with not getting your way, or with people who call you names or donā€™t want you on their team.   Anger is a choice.  You are MIGHTY when you choose NOT to be angry.  (that doesnā€™t mean you donā€™t dislike what is happening, it just means you arenā€™t going to be angry about it)

Pray in your heart for people who hurt you.  The Bible tells us to do that and it really does help us. 

Luke 6:27-28 says  ā€œBut to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who say bad things to you, pray for those who mistreat you. ā€œ

You may not see the person you pray for change, but you will see you change.  You will become more MIGHTY.   Ask God to help you to choose to not be angry.  He will help you.   And just like doing pushups or playing soccerā€¦.the more you practice this, the easier it becomes and the better you get at doing it.

PART 2

Does someone have to force you to clean your room?  Why? You know you should do it.

How about forcing you to bathe each day or brush your teeth twice a day?  Or get up in time to get ready for school, or church?  Or studying for tests?

Solomon said that RULING YOURSELF made you stronger than someone who could take over a whole city!   (That must mean it can be hard to control or rule yourself, because it would definitely be hard to takeover a whole city. But it can be done and God will help you)

God gives you the power to RULE/CONTROL yourself when his Spirit comes to live inside of you.  Galatians 5:22-23a says ā€œ22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control.ā€

See that last word?  Self-Control?   That means ruling/controlling yourself.  What you do or donā€™t do, what you say, what you think and what you feel.  God Gives you the ā€˜fruitā€™ of self-control.  His Spirit inside you makes it possible for you to RULE/CONTROL yourself.

Rule yourself.  Do the things you know to do without having to be forced or told to do them.  And DONā€™T do the things you know you should NOT doā€¦.   Be MIGHTIER than someone who can take over a whole city!!

This too becomes easier the more you practice itā€¦.practice makes you MIGHTY! JUST KEEP WORKING ON ITā€¦ā€¦ā€¦ā€¦.

Go to Romans Road to Salvation and/or Prayer of Rededication