From Roots to Fruits - Week 9: Self-Control

Icebreaker:

Place a piece of tape on the floor at least 1 foot long.

Challenge every person to stand 15-20 feet away from it, run toward it, and see how close they can get to the tape without going past it.

Each person will need to run toward the tape and stop whenever they choose in order to get as close to the tape as possible.

If they fall forward, they have to get back in line and try again.

Questions for tying it in:

Q. Did you learn anything from this?  What?

Q. How is this challenge like choices we make in life?

Q. What might any of this have to do with self-control, our fruit for the night?

Body:

Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Q. What does self-control mean to you?

Greek = egkrateia:  ‘having command or mastery over, or being in possession of one’s own behavior.’

Q. What about this definition sticks out to you?

“Having command or mastery”

Self-control takes practice.

“Practice makes perfect!”

Sanctification

“Being in possession of”

Self-control means owning up to your behavior.

Taking responsibility and accountability

Self-control = rare, bc people = selfish

Learning to say “yes” and “no”

Have a student read Proverbs 25:28:

Proverbs 25:28 (ESV)

A man without self-control

is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Q. How is a man without self-control like a city without walls?

Self-Control = Self-Defense

Self-control keeps you from sinning

Needed as a basic part of Christian walk

Have another student read 1 Thessalonians 5:6;8

1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8 (CSB)

So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay awake and be self-controlled.... 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation.

Q. What does the phrase “stay awake” mean in verse 6?

Self-control means staying alert.

E.g. Being on watch

Q. What do you think we’re supposed to be “alert” of?

Temptations

Opportunities to do good

Spread the Word

Ready for Christ’s return

Q. Does having self-control separate you from most of our society?  How?

Instant gratification

Cell-phones

Share story about the text that I sent Amanda at LWBC

Social media

Short attention spans = less self-control

Q. What does “belong to the day” mean?

Self-Control = Clarity

Perceiving reality

Seeing what’s ahead = pacing yourself

Discerning right and wrong

Q, Why would faith and love be represented by a breastplate?

Protecting your heart

Q. Why would salvation be represented by a helmet?

Assurance

All of this affects self-control

Another fruit = Patience

Q. How does self-control connect with patience?

Having one requires the other

Self-control means waiting

Q. What other fruits are connected to or made possible by self-control?

Love

Requires intentionality

Joy

True joy in obedience

Obedience = self-control

Peace

Self-control feels good

Kindness

Not controlling your tongue = being mean

Goodness

Self-control is a good thing

Faithfulness

Commitment require self-control

Gentleness

Stopping yourself from being harsh/rough

Q. Why is self-control one of the fruits of the Spirit?

  Behavior matters to God

Q. Shouldn’t it be called “God-control”?  Isn’t it up to God and not us?  What part does God play in our self-control?

God enables self-control

Self-control isn’t self-centered; it’s God-centered

We control ourselves for God

Our world views self-control as an inhibition to be gotten rid of.

Q. What music, shows, or movies have you heard or seen that send the message to “do whatever you want”?

Q. What does that kind of living lead to?  Does it lead to the life of freedom that people seem to think?  Why not?

Freedom is contextual

Freedom of behavior is slavery of the heart

Freedom of the heart = self-control

Conclusion:

Self-control = living out other fruits

Answer the following questions on a notecard:

Series Reflection Questions:

What is one thing you have learned in this series?

What is one area where you need to grow?

What will you do to create a game plan of growth in this area?

Commitment to fruitful living

PRAY

Small Group Questions:

How do you think self-control impacts your daily decisions?

Can you share a time when practicing self-control was difficult but necessary?

Why do you think our culture often promotes doing "whatever you want"?

In what areas of your life do you feel the need to develop more self-control?

How does practicing self-control lead to greater freedom in your life?

How can we encourage each other to practice self-control in our daily lives?

Looking back at everything we've discussed in this series, what is the most important lesson you've learned about the fruit of the Spirit, and how will you apply it in your life?