What is Goodness?

Introduction: (3–5 mins)

Greet the students.

What does it mean to be bad?

What does it mean to be good?

Today, I get the privilege to share with you what it means to be truly good. Goodness is not just being nice or just following the rules, but something much more important and deeper.

As our school is working its way through the Fruits of the Spirit: Goodness is part of that list—it is something God grows in our lives.

Biblical Definition of Goodness: (7 mins)

Goodness in the Bible means more than just being kind or nice—it means having a heart that wants to do what is right and pleasing to God.

God’s goodness

Psalm 34:8 NKJV

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

God is the source of all goodness. He gives us life, provides for us, and sent Jesus to save you and me!

Example: God provided manna for the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16). Even though they were grumbling and complaining, God still took care of them.

Jesus’ Goodness:

Acts 10:38 NKJV

38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

Jesus’ whole life was filled with goodness—healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and most importantly, dying on the cross for sins.

An example of Jesus’ goodness is this: When Jesus fed the 5,000 men (John 6). He didn’t just do the minimum—He provided more than enough for everyone.

Joseph’s Goodness:

Genesis 50:20 NKJV

20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

Joseph was treated unfairly by his brother but still chose to forgive them and help them during the famine.

Kids, goodness means choosing to do what is right, even when others have done you wrong.

[Illustration:] A tree produces fruit based on what kind of tree it is. An apple tree grows apples, and a heart filled with God’s goodness will show good actions.

Can I share with you one of my favorite stories in the Bible which demonstrates goodness?

1 Kings 17:8–16 NKJV

8 Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” 13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’ ” 15 So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah.

There was a great famine in the land, and this poor widow had only a little bit of flour and oil left—just enough to make one last meal for her and her son. But when the prophet Elijah asked her for food, she chose to trust God and give to Elijah first.

What happened: Because of her faith and goodness, God provided for her! Her flour and oil never ran out, and she and her son had enough to eat during the famine.

Lesson: Goodness means trusting God and doing what is right, even when it’s hard. The widow didn’t know what would happen, but she chose to be generous and kind.

Living It Out: (3–5 Mins)

Goodness is not just about avoiding bad things or choices—it’s about actively choosing to do what is right.

Examples

Sharing with a friend even when you don’t have a lot for yourself.

Trusting God and obeying His Word even when it’s hard.

Helping someone in need, even if it costs you something.

Doing the right things, even when no one is watching.

Gospel: (3–5 Mins)

Here is the real kicker though… You cannot be truly good on your own. You need Jesus to change your heart.

Romans 3:23 NKJV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

To be able to do what is biblically good, to live a live of goodliness you must be saved you must: Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart God raised Him from the death…You will be saved.

Apart from God you cannot truly be good.

Closing Prayer