Bible values for children
Pause before you choose.
Pausing and choosing what to do.
We can ask God and safe adults to help us choose actions that do not hurt.
Put it into practice
What does self-control look like?
Self-control means learning to pause and choose what to do with our feelings. Anger, excitement and disappointment are feelings we can talk about. We can ask God and safe adults to help us choose actions that do not hurt.
If you feel like throwing a game piece, put it down, step back and tell someone you need a break.
Talk about it
What could you do between feeling angry and acting?
Stories that show self-control
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David Spares Saul in the Cave
1 Samuel 24:1–22
David did not follow the suggestion to kill Saul when he had the chance. His choice helps us talk about pausing rather than acting on an opportunity to hurt.
Read storyMeet the people
DavidVerses to remember
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
A little context
Proverbs 16:32 values being slow to anger above military strength. It is a wisdom comparison, not a demand that children manage every feeling without support.
