Hero Training! Character Challenge for Kid’s {Week #2 SELF CONTROL}

We are back for week two of Hero Training and excited to share all the fun things we did! This week we focused on the character trait of self control.

If you haven’t read the introduction to the series yet, check it out here (it has all the instructions and info you’ll need).

I hope you have fun doing the challenges and, don’t forget, if you’re joining in be sure to use the hashtag #herotrainingcc on instagram and twitter!

Lesson

Hero Trait: Self Control

Definition: Doing the right thing even when you don’t feel like it

Super Hero: Hulk (because he needs to use self control to not smash his friends)

Memory Verse: A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. (Proverbs 25:28 NLT)

Examples of Jesus Displaying this Trait:

• Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11)

Discussion Questions:

• Can you think of a time when you needed to use self control?
• What are some things you can do to get under control when you are out of control?
• Can you think of a time that Jesus used self control?
• Why is it important to have self control?

Notes:

• This week we focused on the story of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness. This was a new story for K and required a lot of discussion and explanation of new ideas. Since this passage wasn’t found in any of our children’s story Bibles, I did my best to paraphrase the story. Then, we opened my Bible find the three times Jesus used self control when the devil was tempting him. We talked about how Jesus was probably really tired and hungry, but he still did the right thing.
• K is a pretty big fan of the Hulk, so we talked a lot about him this week. Amidst our many “Hulk smash!” sessions we talked about how the Hulk has to use self control to not smash his friends and he uses self control to calm down and turn back into Bruce Banner.
• This week had a lot of good connections to times of discipline. We were able to refer back to our discussions on self control and talk about whether or not K was “doing the right thing even though he didn’t feel like it.” It also gave us the language to talk through making good choices using self- control.
• Every week we listen to the song “Jesus is my Superhero” to remember who is the best super hero of them all! We talk about how Jesus is the best hero because he saved us and about how he is the only one who can do all the hero traits perfectly. I found this awesome version (Lego stop motion!) of the song on youtube and K loved it!

Challenges

Challenge #1

Memorize this week’s verse!

Challenge #2

Use blocks to build a city with a wall around it (in reference to our verse this week). Older kids can use Lego or try building a fort.

Challenge #3

Next time you are frustrated and angry take a breath and count to ten to calm down. (We practiced this and then used it many times throughout the week!)

Challenge #4

Do a “self-control” egg walk. 

Try walking with an egg balanced on a spoon. It takes a lot of control to keep the egg balanced! K got pretty far until his egg dropped to the ground. This was the perfect time to talk about how he needed control to balance the egg, but when he lost control and dropped the egg it broke. Just like how in life, when we lose control of ourself, we can hurt ourself or others. Some examples we thought of were: getting angry with your brother and pushing him, using mean words and hurting someone’s feelings, eating a cookie that was saved for daddy and making him sad, and eating a whole bowl of candy and getting an upset tummy.

Challenge #5

Self Control Self Portrait Craft

Supplies Needed:

• Large roll of paper
• Markers (these are our favorite!)
• Scissors

Directions:

Trace your child on the large roll of paper. Cut out the body shape. Have your child draw a face that is showing self control on one side and a face that isn’t on the other side. Then, decorate the rest of the cut-out. (Alternatively, if you don’t have a large roll of paper, you could do it on the sidewalk with chalk or draw a smaller self portrait)

Note: While K was working on this we were being silly and I was pretending to talk for the paper guy he was making. Using a silly voice, one of the things I said was, “I always use self control!” K looked at me and said “then he’s Jesus!” It took me a second to register what he meant. I had said “always” – he caught me! If his paper guy always used self control, then he had to be Jesus! I laughed. “You’re right,” I said, “I shouldn’t have said that, how about ‘I always try to use self control’?” K chimed in, “But I don’t do it all the time!” The whole conversation was so great – we have talked about this so many times and he is really getting it!

Character Badge

Once you’ve completed all the challenges you’ve earned another character badge! Find the tutorial here to make your own super hero cape and character badges.

 

If you come up with another way of giving “badges” (or something similar) to keep track of your child’s progress – I’d love to see it! I’d also love to see how you complete the challenges! Tag your post with #herotrainingcc on Instagram or Twitter!

Well, that’s it for week two of Hero Training! If you join in, I’d love to hear from you. Let me know how it is going in the comments!

Affiliate links included.