Fruits of the Spirit for Children
Galatians 5:22 – Developing Christian Character in Kids
A 'Fruits of the Spirit' behaviour rewards chart is a wonderful way to teach young children about these vital Christian character traits.
Children often learn to recite the list of Fruits of the Spirit at church, but it is not always easy for them to understand these character traits and Christian values. Creating a ‘Fruits of the Spirit Reward Chart’ can teach young children how these traits apply in their own lives as well as encouraging and rewarding good behaviour.
‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.’ (Gal 5:22,23 NIV)
Create a chart with nine rows and an appropriate number of columns. The easiest way is to create a table is in a Word or Excel document. The first column needs to be wide enough to write or type in each of the Fruits of the Spirit, one to each line. Allow columns for noting when a child has demonstrated each characteristic. Use stickers, stamps or simply a tick/check mark with a pen or marker. Rewards can be allocated for filling the chart or the line for a particular ‘fruit’.
Discuss the different fruits of the spirit with the child and talk about what sorts of behaviour might demonstrate each trait. Some suggestions are:
Love
- Showing affection for parents and siblings
- Remembering to greet family members such as grandparents with affection.
- Showing affection for family pets and caring for them appropriately
Joy
- Enjoying everyday activities
- Showing enthusiasm and gratitude for positive experiences or opportunities
Peace
- Being calm at appropriate times such as bedtime or during prayers or church services
- Not holding grudges or being jealous when others get attention
Patience
- Taking turns in games
- Waiting quietly for parents to finish speaking before asking a question
Kindness
- Sharing with siblings and friends, especially if this is done spontaneously or without complaining.
- Showing generosity to friends and family
Goodness
- Thinking of others and being aware of their needs.
- Taking time to talk with or play with a lonely child at school
- Offering to help parents or teachers with tasks
Faithfulness
- Saying prayers in an appropriate way – respectfully and reverently.
- Praying for the needs of family and friends.
- Participating in a family devotional time or regularly completing a private devotion.
Gentleness
- Playing gently and appropriately with younger siblings or family friends.
- Handling family pets or other animals appropriately
Self-control
- Any behaviour that involves doing the right thing even if it is not what the child wants to do. This can include:
- Going to bed at the right time without complaining
- Finishing meals at dinner time
- Completing homework without complaints
Individual children will find different traits easier or more difficult to demonstrate. A reserved child may easily act with gentleness but may require encouragement to show joy. A more active child may be naturally joyful but will require extra encouragement to show patience and be peaceful.
Older children particularly can be encouraged to look for opportunities to demonstrate different traits. For example, at the beginning of each day, suggest they find an opportunity to be kind to someone. At dinner each night discuss what they were able to do that day to show kindness. Parents can include themselves in this activity to encourage children and to demonstrate to them that these character traits are essential for all ages.
